Diabetes Talking

Question:

So I’ve been googling on all the appropriate topics and people and trying to give myself a crash course on obesity metabolism, but I need a quick fix of advice from the FOAK while I work on digesting (sorry!) all the data. I was doing really well, losing about 10 lbs/month on 1800-2100 calories (with a ‘free day’ of about 2500-2800 cals – still theoretically below maintenance – about once every two weeks) and 5-6 x 20 minutes of aerobics per week. That is until the first week of September. As I was getting all excited about approaching 300 for the first time moving in the *right* direction and getting to use my 300 lb-limit electronic scale again for the first time in 5+ years, and…everything sort of *stopped*. The only thing that changed in that time was switching from all aerobics to free weights for about 2/3 of my exercise, which I *thought* would speed things up by increasing muscle mass (and had the added bonus of my working longer ’cause it’s a lot more fun and I have *muscle tone* now!). So here it’s been about 4 weeks and the dratted scale hasn’t moved and my clothes don’t feel any looser and my measurements have stuck fast as well. Bah! So…what to do? Is it really possible that I’ve reached a metabolic equilibrium of 2000 cal at 300+ lb? That would have to mean a pretty slow metabolism, and though I have been somewhat tired, I’m still perfectly functional and not dragging along through the day. From what I’ve read, at my weight leptin receptors should be pretty well saturated, so that *shouldn’t* be a problem…right?… Anyone?… Bueller?… I’m hoping that my Dr. will lower my BP meds when I go in next month – is it possible that low blood pressure could contribute to overall BMR slowdown? I’m really not sure what to do, as I don’t want to cut any more calories, and I have enough trouble finding time for the exercise I do right now. I’ve thought about maybe taking a break for a few days, but I’m afraid of both the physiological and psychological impact it might have on me. Although I guess if I was more certain the physical would be positive, it would be much easier to deal with the psychological aspects of eating more! Thanks again, folks! Leslie 338/302 (hovering)/wherever I end up

Response:

I’m no expert, but your experience sounds similar to mine and some of the others here:  a plateau when we start lifting weights.  Somebody else could doubtless explain it better than I can, but I think the short answer is keep doing what you’re doing.  Increasing your strength/muscle mass WILL speed weight loss, all in good time. Good luck, and congratulations on your progress thus far. ep 159-154-130

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So I’ve been googling on all the appropriate topics and people and trying to give myself a crash course on obesity metabolism, but I need a quick fix of advice from the FOAK while I work on digesting (sorry!) all the data. I was doing really well, losing about 10 lbs/month on 1800-2100 calories (with a ‘free day’ of about 2500-2800 cals – still theoretically below maintenance – about once every two weeks) and 5-6 x 20 minutes of aerobics per week. That is until the first week of September. As I was getting all excited about approaching 300 for the first time moving in the *right* direction and getting to use my 300 lb-limit electronic scale again for the first time in 5+ years, and…everything sort of *stopped*. The only thing that changed in that time was switching from all aerobics to free weights for about 2/3 of my exercise, which I *thought* would speed things up by increasing muscle mass (and had the added bonus of my working longer ’cause it’s a lot more fun and I have *muscle tone* now!). So here it’s been about 4 weeks and the dratted scale hasn’t moved and my clothes don’t feel any looser and my measurements have stuck fast as well. Bah! So…what to do? Is it really possible that I’ve reached a metabolic equilibrium of 2000 cal at 300+ lb? That would have to mean a pretty slow metabolism, and though I have been somewhat tired, I’m still perfectly functional and not dragging along through the day. From what I’ve read, at my weight leptin receptors should be pretty well saturated, so that *shouldn’t* be a problem…right?… Anyone?… Bueller?… I’m hoping that my Dr. will lower my BP meds when I go in next month – is it possible that low blood pressure could contribute to overall BMR slowdown? I’m really not sure what to do, as I don’t want to cut any more calories, and I have enough trouble finding time for the exercise I do right now. I’ve thought about maybe taking a break for a few days, but I’m afraid of both the physiological and psychological impact it might have on me. Although I guess if I was more certain the physical would be positive, it would be much easier to deal with the psychological aspects of eating more! Thanks again, folks! Leslie 338/302 (hovering)/wherever I end up

Response:

The only thing that changed in that time was switching from all aerobics to free weights for about 2/3 of my exercise, which I *thought* would speed things up by increasing muscle mass (and had the added bonus of my working longer ’cause it’s a lot more fun and I have *muscle tone* now!). So here it’s been about 4 weeks and the dratted scale hasn’t moved and my clothes don’t feel any looser and my measurements have stuck fast as well. Bah!

Some women notice a transient effect of water retention for a few weeks when they start weight training (many of these women are freaked out because they think it’s instant muscle growth).  Be patient and this too will pass. Remember, your body can’t defy the laws of thermodynamics forever. Krista — www.stumptuous.com/weights.html www.trans-health.com

Response:

Some women notice a transient effect of water retention for a few weeks when they start weight training (many of these women are freaked out because they think it’s instant muscle growth).  Be patient and this too will pass. Remember, your body can’t defy the laws of thermodynamics forever.

Just water, huh?  I was telling someone that I had gained 6 pounds of muscle in the past month and he thought it was bullshit.  I suggested it might be new bone… but I’m SURE it’s not fat!  :-) But for the OP, keep it up, honey, ’cause even if you never lose another pounds, a 300 pound strong, firm,  confident woman is a WHOLE lot better than a 300 pound jiggly woman shuffling around in a tent.  :-) Wendy, with a bounce in her step due to strong calves

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only thing that changed in that time was switching from all aerobics to free weights for about 2/3 of my exercise, which I *thought* would speed things up by increasing muscle mass <snip Some women notice a transient effect of water retention for a few weeks when they start weight training (many of these women are freaked out because they think it’s instant muscle growth).  Be patient and this too will pass. Remember, your body can’t defy the laws of thermodynamics forever. Krista

PING! <lightbulb going on *That’s* the one piece of the puzzle I hadn’t fit in yet: more muscle – more glycogen storage – more water retention – less scale movement (< tmi I suppose the time of the month isn’t helping either< /tmi ) …I feel so much better now that the laws of the universe are back in force. Having a reasonable explanation and knowing it’s "not just me" goes a long way on this road! Thanks Krista and Edna! Leslie 338/302/whatever

Response:

Yes, since I started lifting weights about a month ago, I haven’t lost a single pound.  However, the inches are starting to come off.  Get yourself a tape measure and keep track that way.  AND DON"T STOP!!!  You are doing all the right things.  Make sure you get enough protein…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m no expert, but your experience sounds similar to mine and some of the others here:  a plateau when we start lifting weights.  Somebody else could doubtless explain it better than I can, but I think the short answer is keep doing what you’re doing.  Increasing your strength/muscle mass WILL speed weight loss, all in good time. Good luck, and congratulations on your progress thus far. ep 159-154-130 So I’ve been googling on all the appropriate topics and people and trying to give myself a crash course on obesity metabolism, but I need a quick fix of advice from the FOAK while I work on digesting (sorry!) all the data. I was doing really well, losing about 10 lbs/month on 1800-2100 calories (with a ‘free day’ of about 2500-2800 cals – still theoretically below maintenance – about once every two weeks) and 5-6 x 20 minutes of aerobics per week. That is until the first week of September. As I was getting all excited about approaching 300 for the first time moving in the *right* direction and getting to use my 300 lb-limit electronic scale again for the first time in 5+ years, and…everything sort of *stopped*. The only thing that changed in that time was switching from all aerobics to free weights for about 2/3 of my exercise, which I *thought* would speed things up by increasing muscle mass (and had the added bonus of my working longer ’cause it’s a lot more fun and I have *muscle tone* now!). So here it’s been about 4 weeks and the dratted scale hasn’t moved and my clothes don’t feel any looser and my measurements have stuck fast as well. Bah! So…what to do? Is it really possible that I’ve reached a metabolic equilibrium of 2000 cal at 300+ lb? That would have to mean a pretty slow metabolism, and though I have been somewhat tired, I’m still perfectly functional and not dragging along through the day. From what I’ve read, at my weight leptin receptors should be pretty well saturated, so that *shouldn’t* be a problem…right?… Anyone?… Bueller?… I’m hoping that my Dr. will lower my BP meds when I go in next month – is it possible that low blood pressure could contribute to overall BMR slowdown? I’m really not sure what to do, as I don’t want to cut any more calories, and I have enough trouble finding time for the exercise I do right now. I’ve thought about maybe taking a break for a few days, but I’m afraid of both the physiological and psychological impact it might have on me. Although I guess if I was more certain the physical would be positive, it would be much easier to deal with the psychological aspects of eating more! Thanks again, folks! Leslie 338/302 (hovering)/wherever I end up

Response:

<snip But for the OP, keep it up, honey, ’cause even if you never lose another pounds, a 300 pound strong, firm,  confident woman is a WHOLE lot better than a 300 pound jiggly woman shuffling around in a tent.  :-)

Thanks for that thought, Wendy. I love it and agree wholeheartedly! increased my weights on the squats and rows, and today the scale finally quivered around 299.99999 if I stood on it in exactly the right way and exhaled completely. More importantly, though, I’ve started lowering my meds!!!! I’ve been having low blood sugar reactions more often lately, feeling like I have to eat almost constantly all afternoon just to keep the shakes away, so I reduced the dosage of my morning Glucovance yesterday (the Dr. said I could when I was ready) and checked my BGs several times throughout the day. At no time did they register over 180 and most often  they were closer to 80-90! I’ll be keeping a close eye on them again today to make sure, but I’m just thrilled to finally start the road back to non-medicated control. Yay for me! Leslie 328/299.999/whatever

Response:

increased my weights on the squats and rows, and today the scale finally quivered around 299.99999 if I stood on it in exactly the right way and exhaled completely.

Completely nude having just peed and shaved any excess hair, and removed earrings, right?  :-)  (That’s why my weigh day is on Saturday so I have time to get as light as possible.)  :-) Glad to hear it, Leslie.  I know what a huge thing that is.  I started at 40 something and am in the 20 somethings right now so I don’t get to go down a scale peg for a LONG time.  I’m bumming about that! (OTOH I’d be bumming more if I had been in the 50 somethings to start with.) Have you checked out Body for Life?  It’s not for rank amateurs at working out or dieting, but it may give you the missing pieces to your puzzle since you’re already almost doing the entire thing.  Go get the book from the library.  It’s by Bill Phillips.  The first time I saw it I thought I had it wrong – that couldn’t be the book people were talking about, it’s for GUYS!  But it IS worth reading.  The challenge I’m doing is filled with support and goal visualization as well as cardio, weight lifting and diet.  The whole package makes a difference!  (They even offer cash prizes!)  Check it out at www.bodyforlife.com to see if it appeals to you. I particularly mention it because of the insulin issues you’re having.  I found that eating the Body for Life way really addresses that.  (No, it’s not Low-Carb, it’s *balanced* carb.) Wendy, C1W5D4 or, in ASD terms, 244/228.5/213 (12 week goal)

Response:

Congratulations in leaving the 300s behind Leslie – that’s a terrific milestone to reach. janice 233/168/133 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – increased my weights on the squats and rows, and today the scale finally quivered around 299.99999 if I stood on it in exactly the right way and exhaled completely. More importantly, though, I’ve started lowering my meds!!!! I’ve been having low blood sugar reactions more often lately, feeling like I have to eat almost constantly all afternoon just to keep the shakes away, so I reduced the dosage of my morning Glucovance yesterday (the Dr. said I could when I was ready) and checked my BGs several times throughout the day. At no time did they register over 180 and most often  they were closer to 80-90! I’ll be keeping a close eye on them again today to make sure, but I’m just thrilled to finally start the road back to non-medicated control. Yay for me! Leslie 328/299.999/whatever

Response:

How wonderful for you….Congrats!! Keep it up!! — Love, laughter and friendship! Lisa Slavik www.beautycafe.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip But for the OP, keep it up, honey, ’cause even if you never lose another pounds, a 300 pound strong, firm,  confident woman is a WHOLE lot better than a 300 pound jiggly woman shuffling around in a tent.  :-) Thanks for that thought, Wendy. I love it and agree wholeheartedly! increased my weights on the squats and rows, and today the scale finally quivered around 299.99999 if I stood on it in exactly the right way and exhaled completely. More importantly, though, I’ve started lowering my meds!!!! I’ve been having low blood sugar reactions more often lately, feeling like I have to eat almost constantly all afternoon just to keep the shakes away, so I reduced the dosage of my morning Glucovance yesterday (the Dr. said I could when I was ready) and checked my BGs several times throughout the day. At no time did they register over 180 and most often  they were closer to 80-90! I’ll be keeping a close eye on them again today to make sure, but I’m just thrilled to finally start the road back to non-medicated control. Yay for me! Leslie 328/299.999/whatever

Response:

increased my weights on the squats and rows, and today the scale finally quivered around 299.99999 if I stood on it in exactly the right way and exhaled completely. Completely nude having just peed and shaved any excess hair, and removed earrings, right?  :-)

Of  course! Is there any other way? <snip Have you checked out Body for Life?  It’s not for rank amateurs at working out or dieting, but it may give you the missing pieces to your puzzle since you’re already almost doing the entire thing.  

<snip I have seen it recomended several times, and I may check it out just to add to the mental database, but my skepticism knee jerks awfully hard whenever I see ™ next to a program name, a "fitness package" for sale or promises of results in a specified time. I think most of the named diets *do* have something to offer and probably have some small basis in physiological fact, and I have picked up a lot of tidbits from them, but then I’m a biologist who has a strong background in physiology, is used to reading scientific writing and knows how to read and think critically. Unfortunately, I fear that too many desperate people who get caught up in the hype swallow everything wholesale and end up hurting themselves, or at the very least spending money they don’t have on things that don’t work. I would never make it in advertising because I don’t believe in preying on people’s insecurities… Since I’m already on my soap box, I might as well insert my standard vent about the diet industry here. The current impetus for my fuming is the recent Jenny Craig campaign on both radio and TV that uses the 9/11 terrorist attacks to sell diet products. Unbe-freakin’-lievable! I am *so* sick of hearing how I cannot possibly be healthy, fit *or even HAPPY* unless I wear a size 5 I could just spit! I hate even worse that my teenage nieces, who are plenty healthy, althletic and thin, as well as young girls who happen to not have been so lucky in the genetic metabolism draw, are hearing these same messages every day and do not have the critical thinking nor basic biology skills to question what they’re being sold. ARRRGGGHHH!!!! OK. I’m feeling much better now. Please return to your regularly scheduled newsgroup. Leslie (who really is a nice, calm, forgiving person…mostly) 328/299/whatever

Response:

<snip Have you checked out Body for Life?  It’s not for rank amateurs at working out or dieting, but it may give you the missing pieces to your puzzle since you’re already almost doing the entire thing.   <snip I have seen it recomended several times, and I may check it out just to add to the mental database, but my skepticism knee jerks awfully hard whenever I see ™ next to a program name, a "fitness package" for sale or promises of results in a specified time.

The specific time element of Body for Life is a contest – a 12 week challenge – that is designed to solidify healthier habits (as it takes something like 12 weeks to form a habit.) The guy who wrote the book definitely has a monetary interest: he sells books, for one, but he also builds customers for his Muscle Media magazine AND the EAS supplement company.  It’s actually astonishingly good marketing: they offer this huge value-added benefit to people (the support and training to be weight lifters) and in turn develop new customers (i.e, create more body-builders to buy their product.)  There’s no pressure at all to buy anything (besides the book) but you find yourself interested in their products naturally. tidbits from them, but then I’m a biologist who has a strong background in physiology, is used to reading scientific writing and knows how to read and think critically.

Body for Life is pre-packaged for the people who don’t have these skills, but the diet is described more scientifically at www.hussman.com and it is pretty much what Krista describes in her Eating 101 thing.  It’s also fairly well established as a diabetic diet AND in the Zone books by Barry Sears. Since I’m already on my soap box, I might as well insert my standard vent about the diet industry here. The current impetus for my fuming is the recent Jenny Craig campaign on both radio and TV that uses the 9/11 terrorist attacks to sell diet products. Unbe-freakin’-lievable!

I haven’t seen that.  I wish I didn’t believe you! I am *so* sick of hearing how I cannot possibly be healthy, fit *or even HAPPY* unless I wear a size 5 I could just spit!

One offensive thing about BFL is the male muscle-builder mentality that you need to have a superb body to have a good brain.  It’s a superiority complex that goes with testosterone, I think.   In any case, I have a pet peeve with people who have to proclaim how miserable they were to be fat and how much they hated themselves.   Sometimes I feel like choosing to lose weight is helping them keep that idiotic idea.  For the record, I am MUCH more than the sum of my poundage.  I don’t hate myself nor am I particularly miserable at this weight (nor do I expect to be particularly happier at a lower weight!) Wendy, Fit, Strong, Healthy, Happy and Obese

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip But for the OP, keep it up, honey, ’cause even if you never lose another pounds, a 300 pound strong, firm,  confident woman is a WHOLE lot better than a 300 pound jiggly woman shuffling around in a tent.  :-) Thanks for that thought, Wendy. I love it and agree wholeheartedly! increased my weights on the squats and rows, and today the scale finally quivered around 299.99999 if I stood on it in exactly the right way and exhaled completely. More importantly, though, I’ve started lowering my meds!!!! I’ve been having low blood sugar reactions more often lately, feeling like I have to eat almost constantly all afternoon just to keep the shakes away, so I reduced the dosage of my morning Glucovance yesterday (the Dr. said I could when I was ready) and checked my BGs several times throughout the day. At no time did they register over 180 and most often  they were closer to 80-90! I’ll be keeping a close eye on them again today to make sure, but I’m just thrilled to finally start the road back to non-medicated control. Yay for me! Leslie 328/299.999/whatever

WTG Leslie !!  This number and the decrease in medications are fantastic milestones.  Keep up the good work. Beverly

Response: