Hi. I'm wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. When I was diagnosed with diabetes I had had a dramatic loss of weight. But since starting insulin three years ago I have not been able to control the weight gain. I have put on over 80 pounds in that time (mind you I was dramatically underweight to start with but now I'm very much overweight). I've been on all sorts of diets including hardly eating anything at all and I cannot shift a pound and in fact still put on.

Am I alone here? Or is this a characteristic of diabetes? It's very frustrating, I can tell you.

Thank you.

.... But since starting insulin three years ago I have not been able to control the weight gain. I have put on over 80 pounds in that time (mind you I was dramatically underweight to start with but now I'm very much overweight). .....
Could you be using too much insulin? Reducing the amount you inject should enable you to lose weight. If that doesn't work, have you had your Thyroid checked out?

Mark

Hi Mark
Thank you for replying! I have had my thyroid checked some time ago and that was fine. Regarding the insulin, I've tried to take less as it is apparent that this is what is causing the weight gain, however my sugar levels just sky rocket. What is it about insulin that is so fattening? I don't fully understand it, I must admit.

Once again, thanks for replying!

Hi there,

I don't think it's the insuline itself that makes you gain weight. The more insulin you inject the more hungry it makes you. Maybe you could try to eat meals containing less carbs so you don't have to inject as much and you wont feel as hungry. I feel a lot better since doing this and i've been losing a wee bit of weight too :)

Hey, thanks for that! To be honest I didn't know that insulin makes you hungry. I am hungry all the time and I thought that it was just me into bad habits. I will try reducing my carbs and see where it takes me.

Thank you again.

..... Regarding the insulin, I've tried to take less as it is apparent that this is what is causing the weight gain, however my sugar levels just sky rocket. What is it about insulin that is so fattening? .....
Injecting too much insulin can make you gain weight because you have to "feed the insulin" - you eat more carbs than your body needs, just to keep the blood sugar levels up.

So when you reduce your insulin, you also need to reduce your carbs at the same time, or your blood sugars will go very high. This can be difficult if you have got into the carb-craving/carb eating vicious cycle. The way to break into it is to cut way back on eating carbs, reducing your insulin at the same time. And then you need to be be very disciplined about not eating those excess carbs until the carb cravings subside.

Cheers,

Mark

That makes a lot of sense. It's strange how simple it can seem when someone takes the time to explain it in real terms. I will definately be trying to get out of the carb cycle.

What are the best everyday foods to replace high carbs with in your experience?

Thanks

.... What are the best everyday foods to replace high carbs with in your experience? ....
I am not the best person to advise you on this, as I am not trying to lose weight. My focus is to stabilise blood sugar levels and maintain my weight. So I have replaced carbs with fats. Instead of eating cereal or toast for breakfast, I now eat 2 eggs, cheese and a sausage. Instead of two or three slices of bread for lunch, I eat a tin of sardines or large serving of tuna on one piece of bread. I eat what the family eats for dinner. But instead of eating, say, rice, a piece of chicken and salad, I will eat two pieces of chicken and no rice with the salad.

My wife, who is trying to lose weight, has found that the reduced carb approach works very well. Replacing carbs with fat sounds counter-intuitive. But it causes the carb cravings to subside. The result is that you don't feel as hungry. So you don't eat as much, especially between meals. My wife has also found that limiting alcohol to special ocassions has also made a big difference.

Cheers,

Mark

I'm really grateful for that information. Thank you. It's prompted me to take a look on the internet at Dr Bernstein's Diabetic Diet. This is the first time I have come across this diet and it basically reinforces what you have been saying about lowering carbs and replacing with fat etc. To be honest I'm quite overwhelmed by all this 'new' information as my diabetes team still instruct me to take a high carb diet. I have started following the low carb approach now and hope to see some good results soon.

I am so grateful for all your help.

Thank you.

The more insulin you use the more weight you will gain, because insulin helps the body use sugar, and sugar adds weight, but instead of constantly using insulin you might want to go for a walk, or do some other light exercise, just prior to a meal, or just after eating a meal, to naturally lower your blood sugar, which will also decrease your need for insulin and help you maintain a good body weight.

One of the problems with gaining weight is snacking all day long, so a person has to have activity/exercise at the same level as their snacking intake, or cut out, i.e. decrease, the snacking all together. It’s not a diet, rather it is a lifestyle.

The more insulin you use the more weight you will gain, because insulin helps the body use sugar, and sugar adds weight, but instead of constantly using insulin you might want to go for a walk, or do some other light exercise, just prior to a meal, or just after eating a meal, to naturally lower your blood sugar, which will also decrease your need for insulin and help you maintain a good body weight.

One of the problems with gaining weight is snacking all day long, so a person has to have activity/exercise at the same level as their snacking intake, or cut out, i.e. decrease, the snacking all together. It’s not a diet, rather it is a lifestyle.

Exactly, the above information is correct!