cheryldotson's Journal, 27 June 2018

I sympathize with you. Insulin shots are the bane of diabetics. Dr's say lose weight then poke you full of this evil fat storing drug. it's a vicious cycle. I've been searching for ages to discover the secret. it's a big challenge to lose the weight, I know it's frustrating too. You can lose but the key is to eat as few carbs as possible so you can eliminate the extra insulin. I've cut my insulin doses in half since I cut carbs from my diet. I don't cut back to Keto levels but fine 60-80 grams of carbs per day has really helped. Talk to your doctor and see how low to go and check you blood glucose often to see what low carb does for you. Just don't let the blood glucose drop too low, that can be dangerous. It's a balancing act that takes practice. But it can be done. 

Welcome to Fat Secret Cheryl! This is a great place full of great tools and support for your journey! For me the trick was not to make too drastic of a change at once. I started cutting carbs slowly. Obviously sugary drinks, sweets etc first. Continued lowering my carbs until ...I’m now Keto and loving it. My diabetes is under control and now eating this way is my way of life. Second nature. It is a vicious cycle but you can do it! We’re here to help along the way! Each of us traveling along on our own journey. Blessings to you! ❤️ 

Thanks, I believe I can do this too....but my children which have healthy bodies don't seem to understand what I am up against, my daughter went on a diet and lose 20 in one month...I can't do that....I have never in my whole life done that. I am not a yo-yo type with my weight. Plus, I have to consider my diabetes...and as you said I can't go to low in my sugar levels. I have tried to educate both of them to understand how diabetes effects my weight, my hungry and my nutritional intake. It's hard to help them understand and they say I am making excuses....which burns my ass because, I am not I am just trying to help them understand I am not going to lose 20 pounds in one month and I am not able to fast and do some one the drastic diets. I have recently decided to try a Keto diet for 8 weeks, but in order to do this I will be checking my sugar levels 3-4 times a day and I will have to be diligent about making sure I am getting enough nutrition. It's going to be more then just hard for me...cause I get shakes when I get hungry and I start to throw up when I am so hungry....I can't imagine me feeling like this for 8 weeks but, I am going to try and see how it go. I thought I would first do 1200 cals. per day for 4 weeks and if I can do that then I will reduce it down some. Hoping I can succeed~  

Good luck! 

I have nit been brave enough to go total keto. I have myself done to 50-60 grams of carb per day but true Keto calls for a lot of fat which has never been in my cravings book. I do sneak in extra olive oil and avocado but still run short on calories at the end of the day now. I have been able to cut my insulin dosage down in the past month and a half from 80 units per day to between 40 or 45. It's very very important to keep track of your blood sugar and not let it go too low. People who don't have diabetes or take insulin have know idea what a low reading feels like. The shaking, sweeting, dizziness, blurry vision, and panic it causes is frightening. I am happy to lose a pound a week average. Sure, you might be able to lose faster. My husband did that last year and ended up in the hospital with a blood sugar of 27. Yes, he nearly died! Your kids need to go to a diabetes nutrition class with you so they can understand what all your struggles are about. The VA insisted my husband go after his near death incident. They don't want to learn the hard way that you are NOT making up excuses. Bless you and please know that folks in this group are with you. 

I take between 125 units to 160 units daily...since I have been eating less I have had an episode yesterday my numbers after I stopped for a soda cause I was sweating, shaking and had to stop driving...was 65...lowest as far as I have recorded. I record my numbers daily and especially now because I have started doing about 1200-1400 cals per day. July 1st I am suppose to take that Keto challenge but, I am not sure I can actually do 800 calories a day especially after yesterday. I am going to just stay at 1200 for the first four week and then try the 800 calories the last four...if I can without going into shakes. Yes cutting carbs is the way, but like you I am not a huge meat eater so i find most of my protein in nuts but nuts are high in calories....so I need to find more filling foods that both fill me and give me protein that we need for energy. My daughter and son swear by eggs....so I guess I will add egg to my deit, in my salads and for a meal...  

from what I understand from others you need to moniter your meds and reduce the amount of insulin so maybe you need to discuss more with your doctor if you don't feel comfortatable doing the all adjustments on your own. little change at a time with your new diet plan. I think it is very smart not to want to rush into 800 calories a day. it is awesome that you are taking charge and I am sure you will do great with your positive attitude 

I eased into Keto, then went on it totally and reaped the benefits. No Keto flu. I was taking 80 units a day, then came off insulin. Now I take none. When I had my appointment in March my numbers were 5.3 and I had dropped almost 50 lbs. I haven't had a low for over a year now. Life got in the way (I moved from VA to NH) and I let things slide, met my new Doctor in June and my numbers are 8.5. I begged him to give me a month, now back on track. It's amazing how I see my sugar numbers dropping doing Keto. Don't know if I can just eat 800 calories. Looked over Mosley's book, it has lots of fruit?? 

Its three in the morning, got up to go to the bathroom, wanted a glass of ixce water...and checked my numbers because I have the shakes again...60!!! Not sure what to do I grab a mozz stick and eat it. My numbers have never been this low as far as I know. I am monitoring my numbers more closely but I don't think I can do the 800 cal. diet...I am going to 1200 tomorrow. I need to see my doctor, not seeing her until July 5th...so I am going to cut my insulin slightly until I see her and get my new A!C's. I would love if I could get rid of this diabetes...I hate it!!!I will check out that video by Dr. Jason Fung....thanks!!!  

Last time I saw my doctor he told me to take my glucose readings more often as I diet and expect lower readings and yes, to drop a few insulin units as needed. I always test just before bed to see where I'm at. For me mid 80's is the majic number. If I'm in low 80's I'm likely to go too low, like 60. If I'm at high 80's or above I'll last the night. When I wake in the 60's at night I try to consume a tiny bit of carb with some fat. For Example: A couple ounces of milk and a small spoon of peanut butter. The few carbs in the milk pull up my glucose and the fat/protein in the pb put me in a holding pattern. 800 calories is not enough, according to FS and my doctor I should be eatng at least 1200 per day, I try to limit myself to 1000 because my aging body just does not utilize calories like it did in my 20's/30's. Also that way I can have a tiny snack when my insulin works overtime. Fewer calories than 1000 and I get really weak, shaky, and even with a 50% cut in my insulin dose I get too many lows. Be careful, my doc says those lows are really dangerous to your heart. As diabetics our bodies are used to the highs, they go into panic mode when we go low, so we need to do this gradually so the brain and body adjust easier. Good luck! Be safe! 

so, this week is the last week for me doing 1200 calories a day....the 29th I start the 800 calories and my insulin so far has decreased to just 80 units a day verses 160+ daily....that cut in half. I had three episodes where my numbers got too low....so, its going to be another adjustment of intake, spacing it correctly and my intake of insulin to do 800 calories a day....but I am going to try. My numbers are the lowest since I was first diagnosed with diabetes back in 2005...pretty hopeful here  

why drop your calories before you and your adjustments have time to fully control everything. I would strongly suggest doing the 1200 calories a day for at least 2 weeks. you should not be in a hurry to drop those calories. focus on eating correctly, monitoring your levels and keeping yourself from going too low. women should not be going so low on calories long term, 800 calories is just too low. after a couple weeks of being stable, maybe down to 1000. but I would not go lower than that. 

I'm so sorry for your loss and struggles. There are so many people I follow just like you that turned their A1C and insulin dependency around with food choices. I wish you the very best and hope they chime in of you want them to! Have a great day! You'll get healthy again! 

I may try the 800 day to day...I have been doing the 1200 three weeks and almost from the start my insulin was cut in half.....I am actually not at all hungry and 1200 seems easy for me...the real challenge will be the 800 for the last four weeks...but, yes eventually I will settle for around 1000-12000 diet since I am still losing weight at those counts. I want to do away with my insulin altogether if I can...I don't care what I have to do to get out of that regiment. I have to try and see if I could possibly get away with not even having to ever take insulin again. If I have to eat dirt or wood...I would to get from having to be on that stuff. (just trying...if it becomes to much...I will go back to 1200 or try 1000 first)  

well I tried 800 for over one week, it's a lot harder to manage the times to eat although I don't find myself very hungry I find the trying to space out the meals nearly impossible. My sugar levels have been great just had my A1C's done yesterday (7.1) is the best number I have personally ever seen so far. Somethings are working but, I decided to stay around 1000-1200 calories because I am just able to manage the meals a lot easier. If I didn't work it would make it easier. I still feel a ton better physically....dieting and seriously watching my food intake. =)