Debbie Cousins's Journal, 24 April 2024

I find it hard to limit treats. I sometimes think it's best to buy ONE at the store and be done with it.  

I totally relate. But my fiance buys a box or bag basically every day. So usually a little Debbie cake is in my calories. 😔 We both need to quit eating sweet stuff.  

How about one a week? 

I read this and your last journal entry. You and I were trim as youths. I started noticing slight weight gain in my late 20's, and cut back on calories. I had gestational diabetes at age 34. Diagnosed diabetes type 2 at age 50, by a chance presurgery blood panel. Now, research is saying that diabetics are insulin resistant decades before their diagnosis. Insulin resistance causes weight gain by not utilizing blood sugar for energy. Instead, it is stored as fat. Since 2019, I've been on a low-carb diabetic way of eating. MOST diabetics in my diabetes group lose 22 lbs per month on 30g of carbs per day. I haven't lost weight, but I've had good results bringing down my blood sugar level (bsl) and maintaining it for the past 5 years. At least the woe is working for my bsl. The group moderators have suggested that I am hyperinsulin resistant, which would not allow weight loss. They said that weight resistance training was the only way for hyper insulin resistant people to lose weight. I have to agree, because I joined a gym in 2007 and pumped 30-50 lb weights. I lost 22 lbs per month without diet change! It was like a miracle. In the third month, I sprained an ankle and had to cease going to the gym. I never went back, but enjoyed my 60 lbs trimmer figure for a few years. Eventually, I gained back the 60 lbs. Here I am, age 70, and contemplating a gym membership again, as that's the only way for me to burn up my blood sugar, so it won't be stored as fat. With all that said, have you had an Insulin Resistance blood test done? If your result is high, that will be the reason for your inability to lose weight. I've been on 800-1200 calories per day since I joined here. My carbs are about 30% of what is recommended here. Before I joined here, I did a Carnivore diet for a couple of weeks and lost 16 pounds. Then, I went back to counting calories for my doctor and gained 5 lbs in 5 days. I got back on my diabetic 30g of carbs per day so my bsl would stay within 120-150. Now, I'm alternating diabetes woe with carnivore, and the weight has been slowly coming down in the past two weeks. My activity is taking care of 3 properties with lots of mowing, weedeating, and brush cutting that has to be stacked, hauled away, and off loaded. It's exhausting. I'd rather work out at a gym! I hope some of this info helps you. 

You sound just like me with the pudding slip-up. My "moderation" button is broken. The only way I can manage treats is if I don't buy them when I shop. If I crave something, there is a convenience store close by, and I will permit myself to get one serving of something, but only if I walk to the store. Usually, that helps me to skip it altogether or at least put it off. Seventeen miles in a week? That's fantastic! I'm having a struggle to get my lazy butt out the door to do one mile a day.  

My struggle with a number of foods as well.  

Staying under 200 Debbie. I know that’s not easy. jdode’s advice re: 30g carb and weight training sounds like the answer for those of us who are insulin resistant. Awesome how you keep on walking as you do. All the best! 

But you did well last week! I also struggle with feeling derailed already after just one or two days of a problem—whether that problem is screen time, eating the wrong foods, eating the right foods but too many snacks/carbs in addition, doing well with health but terrible with life skills related to being more responsible and productive, losing my empathy and driving people crazy for no reason when I can keep that inner drama to myself, the list of things that I can feel derailed after just one or two bad days just goes on. Those of us who tend to be hard on ourselves, it’s usually not just with food. But we have to bounce back. 

Im not sure how accurate this is but i dont feel like many people in our age group can actually lose weight on 1800 calories a day. I would think the average healthy woman in this age group should be more like 12-1300 a day. Have you considered cutting back more and giving it a good 6 month effort with no sugar or other tempting foods in the house. You and i do the same thing my friend, something you find desirable cannot be limited to JUST one. Im betting it talks to you telling you to come have a piece whether you are hungry or not. Said from my own experiences. Debbie, i promise you, feeling healthier and lighter in your body feels much better than cake, or pudding  

Liv, exactly. I sometimes blame sugar…yes that’s part of it, but IDK why some sugary foods are more of an issue than others… …and making myself plan *exact* meals even if something else that is similar nutritionally, also works, is a trigger outside of that meal, or even for that meal if it’s a particularly hard day. On a more positive note, a thing that helps for me is more fruit (sorry, anyone limiting carbs), as long as I at least switch up the fruit—but eating the *same type* of fruit literally multiple times a day, instead of variety, is somehow a red flag. It’s strange lol. Another thing that helps for me is Wasa crisps. Those crunchy, whole-grain things that make it harder to eat too much on days when you’ve had them, with no flavor but awesome texture…love them. Again, sorry anyone limiting carbs! 

Wow! So many lengthy and considerate responses to my post. Thank you ALL for the show of love and support. YearofhlHealth, I think that if I WAS getting in the 6 miles of walking a day consistently, I could still lose very well on 1,800 calories a day - that would be about 700 calories a day burned with exercise, so the calories would “really” be only about 1,300/day. LaineAndTgeDog98, I’m thoroughly enjoying fruit, as well - I discovered Cosmic Crisp apples this year, and the navel oranges right now are big, sweet and juicy! Liv001, I also eat a LOT of food in a day - that’s why it is so important that they be low-calorie options. MWard52, thanks for the encouragement about the walking I DID do, even if it wasn’t as much as I would LIKE to accomplish. I need to be more thankful for my accomplishments and not quite so harsh with myself. Again, thanks, EVERYONE! I’m beginning to feel loved on here again.