Dr. Bernstein's Plan...and Some Adjustments

[dawnyama]

I see you June!!! Wow you look fabulous!!! That is an amazing transformation. Great job!!! And this took you just a year--wow!!!! Congratulations!!!

[JuneCC]

Thank you, Dawn. I don't really take any credit for it. I simply followed the advice of experienced diabetics who told me how to control my blood sugar immediately upon diagnosis by eating to my meter. (Especially Alan S and Salim on the ADA forums at the time.) But, honestly, I didn't even know I was going to lose weight! lol I've heard the metformin helps, too. As you can see I only lost 21 lbs the 2nd year and have now stalled completely. I guess that's what brought me back to this forum. Got to figure out how to get losing again. I know I should reduce protein, according to Dr. B., but I'm not sure that's it. My daily goal is set up for 70% fat (93g), 20% protein (60g) and 10% carbs (30g). On most days I don't even reach those goals for any of them, occasionally I go over on the fat. I don't usually pay any attention to the calories, though you can't take them out, and it's set 1200 a day. I rarely get to that level except for the days I go over on the fat. So, I'm thinking I should lower my protein and increase my fat. I don't have my copy of Dr. B's book, I'm always loaning it out, so I'm back to try to figure it out.

ETA: I just adjusted my goals to 10% carbs (30g) 15% protein (45g) 75% fat (100g). I'll try to stick to that for a week or two and see what happens. That's the amount of protein I "should" eat for my goal weight instead of my current weight. Doh! lol

[shunsweets]

June you look wonderful. And your A1C is great too! Good for you!

[JuneCC]

Thanks, shunsweets. I'm due for new blood work a month from now, including another A1c and lipids, etc. I've been testing a lot less since low-carb eating is 2nd nature now and I don't eat anything new, so I really don't know what to expect this time.

I have an appointment tomorrow at the local gym to check out the rowing machines. Today I feel like turning on the a/c and walking on my treadmill, though I really can't afford to use the a/c unless the temp passes 95. I think the "feels like" temp of 101°F should qualify, though!

[shunsweets]

I'm in NJ too but not at the shore and it was unbearably hot here. My workplace is not air conditioned and it was a struggle to get through the day.

I don't test as much as I did when first dx either. As you say once you have the diet down there aren't as many surprises but I do a fasting every morning just to keep myself honest.

Rowing machines are really tough! Good for you! I think this old body of mine will stick with walking lol.

[JuneCC]

Well, that was a bust. My meeting turned into nothing but a high pressure sales pitch. The gym only has 2 rowing machines and they're HUGE! lol Also, the deal I saw advertised was only for people returning to membership according to the salesman but I think it was a case of bait & switch to be honest. And now that I did a little research online I see lots of complaints about them so I'll stick to walking for now. Maybe I'll look into a pool in the next town over, at their high school, that offers memberships. I used to swim at a gym in Florida years ago. I might look for a used bike, too. What I really need to do is build muscle but that's too hard and I'm too lazy! lol

I'm far enough away from the beach that I don't get the benefit of that "ten degrees cooler at the shore" any more. We used to live a block from the ocean in Belmar, at the south end of the boardwalk and I used to walk the whole boardwalk everyday, 3 miles RT, in 45 minutes pushing 2 kids in a double stroller. Now I can't make myself drive down there to do it. Where do you walk, shunsweets?

I still test every morning, too, first thing, and randomly pick a meal or bedtime to test again, so usually twice a day. Just to keep an eye out for any signs of trouble, really.

[Auntie Em]

For those who don't have it noted:

Dr. Bernstein's next internet broadcast will be on June 27th, Wednesday, at 7 P.M., CST.

Here is the link:

Ask Dr. Richard K. Bernstein

[JuneCC]

And another two pounds bites the dust! Woohoo! It's good to be losing again. Being stalled since Feb was not nice. lol

[shunsweets]

Way to go Junecc!

[dawnyama]

Amy's first illness while taking insulin. She has shown her first ketones on those darned strips. We have adjusted her insulin pump for sick days and that seemed to have worked as those blood sugars have finally come down. Her blood sugar shot up to over 300 and went back down to 100 quick. Her fever never hit 100, but was very close. Her brother was 101.5 so we were waiting for hers to get higher. Luckily it didn't. Whew!!! It was the weekend and we didn't want a doctor's visit on a Sat or Sunday. Not a fun weekend anyhow. Let's hope for a better week ahead!!!

[marylouise]

Originally Posted by JuneCC

Maybe this will work? lol

:jump joy:


YOU LOOK SOOOOOOOOOOOO DIFFERENT! FEEL DIFFERENT TOO, DON'T YOU!

[marylouise]

Hi ya'll

Seems to be some weight loss going on here. :-)

[JuneCC]

Thanks, marylouise, and yes, I feel very different. In that 2010 pic, I could barely walk up and down my porch or basement steps, I was having so much trouble with my knees. Now I can run up & down them! lol

[shunsweets]

JuneCC you look wonderful!

Dawn - glad Amy got through her first illness without complications. Diabetes certainly forces us to stay on our toes and be constantly mindful. Amy sounds like she is a very good sport to handle it all so well and I'm so glad she has you in her corner to teach her to manage it all.

Dr Bernstein's webcast is on tonight. Sorry I don't have a link (or know how to do it anyway lol.)

[Auntie Em]

Shunsweets, thanks for the reminder about Dr. B's talk tonight. The link is a few posts back.

[marylouise]

Dr. Bernstein will participate in another 60 minute Teleseminar and Webcast on Saturday June 02nd, 2012, at 7PM CST, 8PM EST, 6PM MST, 5PM PST, designed to answer your most important questions concerning diabetes and his thoughts on the latest developments in this area. The seminar is FREE but participation will be limited and you must register.


Does this mean I missed it? Looks like I did.....Well maybe next time....

[marylouise]

I CAN STILL LISTEN TO IT.... :-)

[dewdrop_mealine]

Hey Shuns, I am reading Wheat Belly too. I continue to lose weight, no I'm not too thin. I have about 30 lbs to my goal and could lose more if I wanted to be at my healthy 'young' weight. I don't stay very strict with Doc's plan but I still hold him close to my heart for saving me from insulin and loss of limb.

Hooray for Dr Bernstein.

I miss ya'll sometimes and I saw a post from Dogman in another area today. Doggone it!

Hope Amy is doing well, glad to see new Bernsteinians. You'll love how you feel!

~dewster

Originally Posted by shunsweets

Glad to hear Amy is doing well.

I read "Wheat Belly" and it certainly confirmed my grain free diet! My daughter does gluten free but still eats rice, potatoes, and non gluten flours. She lost 20 pounds and feels much better since going wheat free. So maybe Amy can go wheat free but still have some wraps and baked goods to help keep her happy. I use almond flour and make the 1 minute muffins in the micro - maybe she would enjoy them and they are easy enough that she could make them and experiment with different flavors.

Hope you have a wonderful summer with the kids off school. I sure miss those busy, happy years but being a grandma is great fun as well!

[dewdrop_mealine]

Dawn in the book "Wheat Belly" it does talk about a connection with childhood diabetes and wheat/gluten intolerance. It's a good read but I skip the extremely technical (?) parts. He doesn't have a lot of scientific proof but some of us who have tried it have benefitted a lot.

Originally Posted by dawnyama

I agree, shun. I love Dr B!!!! Diabetes is difficult to control and that leaves us frustrated as well as baffled. We are always blaming hormones or her age for the swings in her blood sugar because her food is basically the same. The doctor's office just tells us "she must be coming out of her honeymoon phase". We are slowly finding out that there are no answers. Stuff like what we just went through just happens. No rhyme or reason for it.

[http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/celiac-gluten-free/] This were I found some posts on the LCF site about wheat/gluten free.

I pray for Amy always

~dew

[dawnyama]

Dew--you are so sweet to do that. Thank you!!

[rgr8e]

Hi All,
I've been lurking here for a long time and enjoy this thread. I've heard Dr B. on YouTube but I don't know which of his books I should buy first. The Diabetes Diet? (Naturally, he is not in our library system in Maryland, probably because he's not considered mainstream). I have never officially been diagnosed with diabetes, but was prediabetic with A1C of 5.9 and both types run in my family. I lost 40 lbs last year on medi fast and am trying to lose another 10 eating whole foods and low carb/hi fat. My carb intake ranges from 30-50 per day. But my calories are up there (2000-2600+/-). Last check my A1C was 5.4. I am 57yo and weigh 155 at 5'6". I walk 2 miles daily and swim 3xs p/wk in the summer. Is it realistic for me to hope to lose weight doing what I'm doing? The scale doesn't seem to budge. My ratios are on average, approx 70% fat, 12% carb, 18% protein. I thought calories weren't supposed to matter (via Gary Taubes, etc)? Incidentally, I had lab band surgery in 2008 and only lost about 20lbs. It did not do the trick for me because I was still hungry and "ate around the band", not realizing that it was the carbs keeping me hungry. If only I had known, I could have avoided the surgery. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[shunsweets]

Hi rgr8e! Sounds you have done well getting your A1C down to 5.4 and losing weight. Good for you! Do you test your bgs fasting and after meals (post prandial or pp)? Thay will give you a better idea of how your eating is effecting your blood glucose levels.

I have the Diabetes Diet and the Diabetes Solution books. I prefer the Diabetes Solution as it has much more information. There is a new version that just came out. It is an interesting read even if you are not diabetic.

Your exercise regimen and diet sound good to me. I tend to eat about 80%fat, 15%protein, and 5%carb and that works for maintenance for me. I don't worry about calories at all and am usually over 2000 but if I wanted to lose weight I would have to cut portions back and watch calories. That last 10 pounds is always the hardest to lose.

I wish you great success and health with your diet and exercise programs.

[rgr8e]

Thank you so much for your input, Shunsweets! I have never owned a glucometer before. Is there a brand you would recommend or a thread I should read about it? I understand they can vary a lot. I check my urine with ketostixs which usually register "trace" or "small" amounts. I guess you must get accustomed to pricking your finger for bgs? That would be the hard part for me. And I will order the Diabetes Solution. Thanks again!!

[shunsweets]

Rgr8e - I have used the relion meter from Walmart and found it reasonably accurate and the strips aren't too bad. Try to get a kit that has the lancing device and a few strips to get you started. You may not need to test too much if all is well. Check fasting and 2 hours after meals just to get a baseline. You want to be under 140 at all times and under 100 fasting. Dr B says 83 is the average non diabetic reading.

Best of luck to you.

[chiody]

Rgr8e,

Congrats on achieving excellent A1C levels, the wt. reduction, and living a low carb lifestyle. Dr. Bernstein's books are terrific, all of them. I have both The Diabetes Solution, and The Diabetes Diet and they've been a major influence of my eating regimens. I also am a fan of his monthly teleconferences as it helps to keep current on many related diabetic topics.

Frankly, you've come a long way and are at a good place IMHO. Testing with a meter is "micro managing" and a great tool to keep tabs on personal progress. I like the Aviva system and purchase strips on the various auction sites being careful of the expiration dates.

KUTGW....

[rgr8e]

Thank you Shunsweets and Chiody! I greatly appreciate your recommendations and encouragement. I feel like a sponge wanting to learn more and learn more. Any other thread recommendations would be welcome also. Thanks again!!

PS: Chiody, how did you get your A1C so low??

[dewdrop_mealine]

It's OT but I think I told you guys that Buttercup was missing. I got a call from the Humane Society on July 4th! They had just scanned her. The clerk said that she thought it was Buttercup when the man brought her thru the door. (Do you think I was driving them nuts trying to find her!) She was gone for a month and a half. I have a new puppy (Yorkie) added to the family. Toby turned at least 17yrs.

But also by the way I have put my doggies on low carb. Their coats are amazing! The LC is the most amazing for Toby. I'm thinking dogs need LC too.

I'm still losing weight slowly and don't have to stay as strict as Dr. B's plan. I am forever a Bernsteinian - he saved my life! him and a lot of salad - LOL!

[chiody]

Originally Posted by rgr8e

Thank you Shunsweets and Chiody! I greatly appreciate your recommendations and encouragement. I feel like a sponge wanting to learn more and learn more. Any other thread recommendations would be welcome also. Thanks again!!

PS: Chiody, how did you get your A1C so low??

I'm just a serious low carber/intermittent fasting guy. Each of us will find a equilibrium when on this eating regimen for awhile. Fortunately A1C levels tend not to vary much and are a good adjunct to evaluating BG levels and propensity for Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes, etc.

Achieving a level in the 5's is ideal from many perspectives for health challenged individuals, and THAT you've achieved already....congrats!!!

[rgr8e]

Chiody: thanks!

[dogman]

Hi Dawn ,Shun,Dew
Dawn I hope Amy is doing better. Yep I got myself a new Jack Russell Terrier, Calvin, back in January. What I great little friend he's becoming. I still miss my Edison.

June, Great job on the new look ! Wow ! Keep it up ...

Dew, nice little rodent you have there. (Just kidding)

I see people are reading "Wheat Belly" , that was a really good book for sure. I like how Dr Davis says that wheat should a warning label. After reading that book I think he's right.

On another topic about exercise I wince when I hear someone is doing aerobic exercises. It's not really a good thing to do.
Anaerobic is so much better, check into it.
A book that made a real difference for me is called ,
Men's Health TNT Diet: The Explosive New Plan to Blast Fat, Build Muscle, and Get Healthy in 12 Weeks [Paperback]
Jeff Volek (Author), Adam Campbell (Author) . Very worthwhile, Don't let the title "Men's Health" turn you off. I built back some very noticeable muscle and reduced more fat. I track my Lean body mass and body fat to be certain I'm not deluding myself.
Take care Everyone,