any ideas for helping a diabetic lose excess weight?
458603
Hi,\nI'm a Pharmacist. Congratulations on your intentions for weight loss! Loosing weight is one of the key steps to decreasing your risk of diabetic complications. Even though you don't seem to be successful with diet and exercise yet, don't give up!\nThere is also pharmacological help out there. I'm not sure of your diabetes medications, but there are some medications that will put on weight, and others that will help you loose weight, whilst controlling your sugar levels. Discuss this concern with your doctor, because you may benefit from changing medications. For example, drugs from the sulfonylurea class (eg Diamicron) will increase weight, whilst metformin (Diabex) decreases weight.\nYou can also ask your doctor about medications that help you loose weight. These medications are usually only reserved for patients who are obese or have a co-morbidity (like diabetes.) Thes drugs, eg orlistat (Xenical) don't work by themselves. You must continue dieting and exercising. Think of them as a kick start in the right direction!\nHope this helps... and good luck!
974591
Eliminate the "bad" carbs, -usually they are anything white, only as a general rule, and eat only the high fiber carbs-whole grains, whole wheat-read labels, even watch certain veggies. Exercise Always helps, eat 6 small portions a day that are mostly protein, trying to eliminate dairy products, cut out the fat and the red meat!By eating 6 small meals daily, this will keep your insulin level at the proper level and you will not be hungry.  Buy a small book on carbs from your neighborhood drug store to better understand the difference between good and bad carbs and keep track on how many grams you are eating.  When I lost weight, I was on 15 grams of Good carbs.  Good luck, watch the dairy, fat, and red meat and I know you will do great.  If you are diabetic consult with your Doctor first, or if you have any other health matters.
176461
I agree the first answer that prayer would really help.  sounds pretty bad.  It seems diabetes always complicates any situation.
421972
I had this same problem, and weighed over 330 lbs.  Best thing to do is go off sugar (processed and starch) to the point your pancreas no longer has to work overtime to produce insulin.  I suggest reading the book "Sugar Busters" by 3 New Orleans doctors.  This book was written for diabetics, to help keep their sugar levels in check and help them get away from so much dependency on insulin shots.  These doctors are diabetic specialists, and what they say in the book makes more sense than anything else I've read!  I've now lost about 170 lbs., and feel wonderful and look better than I have most of my life!  Read the book, it tells how your body works, and why, and afterwards you're going to say to yourself (I did!)..."NOW I KNOW why I'm the way I am!"  The link below takes you to a site where you can order the book online.  And good luck!  \n\nAnd Delta Burke, one of the stars of the television series "Designing Women" found out she was a diabetic, and went on this exact diet (lifestyle eating change) and lost weight AND brought her dependency of insulin way down!
176186
If overweight, I would suggest trying to lose some.  Often by losing weight when overweight and type II diabetic, the diabetes will be under control and you won't even have to take a pill anymore.
412485
The key is to eat a balanced diet of carbs vs proteins vs fats.  Usually we recommend that diabetics avoid high sugar foods such as regular colas, syrup (sugar free is okay) and moderate their intake of sweets and baked goods.  Have you been to see a registered dietician or diabetic nurse educator?  Either would be very helpful in helping you to acclimate and succeed at managing your diabetes.  I wish you the best.
159480
Reset the weighing machine by minus 5 kgs. :-)\n\nWell, when my wife has to loose weight, she goes on a melon diet -the red and fleshy fruit. It improves the skin tone and keeps her healthy too. At the same time start performing house chores, extensively -like moping the floor, brooming and not vacuming, dusting and cleaning the table (especially the dining table).\n\nTake walks and if you like, have an extensive hour or so of a dance session.\n\nDo not use any medication, no matter what they say -every medicine has a side effect and it will eventually be your problem not the company which sells it.
158396
Diet and exercize, a 10% loss in weight can actually turn around insulin resistance and diabetes. But don't stop there it is something that you have to do the rest of your life. As far as diet portion sizes are very important and eat your veggies and fiber. I have seen this work with people I love.
1041963
You have stated you have at least one medical condition....diabetes.  Taking and pill that promises to curb your appetite and make you lose weight is dangerous.\n\nYour doctor would be the first to tell you this.  And you should already be on an American Diabetic Association diet.  These diets come as 1800 Calorie ADA diets, ect.  \n\nAdhereing to this diet regime, plus exercise, should make you lose weight.  I would go down to the say 1200 ADA diet and supplement with snacks in between that are noncaloric or low calories.\n\nYou can easily obtain the diets online.  Follow them, exercise daily.  If you are on pills for your diabetes, fooling around with anything is dangerous.\n\nTalk to your doctor!  But, eating correctly and exercise is the best way to lower your weight and control your diabetes!
862422
I cant suggest actual exercises for you to do, but make sure you eat regular meals and snacks which contain plenty of carbs otherwise you will lose weight....;
369569
cut back on sweet , and fried foods.\nAlso be cautious of your calorie intake, since u r an ashtma patient dont think that u ant do exercise, just do mild ones dont go intense, and huney , give urself some time.
490243
I'm in the same situation -- almost there but not quite.  Dairy really helps me lose weight.  I drink lowfat chocolate milk in place of a meal.  It fills you up and it's nutritious.  Good luck.
818835
This will depend on several things but it sounds like you have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes which can often be controlled by diet.\n\nThere are a few key guidelines:\n\nAvoid foods with processed sugar.\n\nHave a piece of fruit 3 times per day.  That actually did me in for sweets, after 3 months of that much fruit I got really tired of anything that tasted sweet!\n\nEat 5 small meals per day instead of 2 or 3 larger ones.  Don't skip breakfast.  Have a slightly early lunch.  Your 3rd meal would be a small mid afternoon snack (like an apple with a 2 or 3 ritz crackers).  Dinner can be very normal but eat small portions.  Plan ahead that your 5th meal is still coming so leave some room and don't eat all the way to feeling full.  The 5th meal should also be a light snack with fruit and a bread (like the afternoon meal) but should include some protein about an hour or so before you go to bed.  The protein is slower to digest and get its sugar into your system so it helps your blood sugar from getting too low during the night.  A little cheese or some milk is good.  Or just something left over in the fridge from dinner.\n\nThe temptation is to replace sugars with fats for flavor.  Try not to fall into that trap.  Fish is good if you like it.  Tuna salad with tomato paste instead of mayo is a sandwich I like for lunch.\n\nThere are some "free" foods.  These are basically things you can eat anytime during the day and they won't impact your blood sugar much.  Carrots (I hate those), pickles (get some without sugar if you can, I found kosher pickles usually have no sugar).\n\nIncrease the amount of vegetables you eat throughout the day.  They have fewer calories and the bulk can help you feel fuller.\n\nThere are some things I've learned to avoid.  Watermelon sky rockets my blood sugar, the sauce on take out pizza, rice.\n\nI fear I'm rambling now, but it's a great time to be diabetic (comparatively) because of so many choices in artificial sweetener (I think Splenda is best, except when they put it in special splenda diet drinks).  \n\nI hope that helps.  It's been 20 years since I started and then they discovered I was actually a slow starting Type 1 diabetic.  While I was on the good diet, I felt better than I ever had before.\n\nGood luck.\n\nI'm happy to answer other questions from my experience if you drop me a line.
430292
You need to meet with a dietitian. Your insurance should cover it, and you can get your doctor to recommend it if need be. Regular meetings should include meal plans, grocery list, snacks to have on hand, and times to eat them. Get on a tight eating schedule based on the plan you come up with for your needs. This will help your body to adjust and learn to regulate it self. That is important when you blood sugar play such a vital role in how and what you eat. Once you are in a regular schedule, and have given your body time to adjust to it, work with your nutritionist to start adding weight.
790744
Gropefruit can help with weight loss.  It has a compound called nangarin that helps. It's not going to be a magic bullet though. You still have to exercise and reduce calories. \n\nAlso, make sure you get enough calcium and chromium. And have a small portion of protein with every meal. It helps keep blood sugar stable.
1183311
Be your own trainer and nutritionist, the basic rules to losing weight are no soda, no fast food, lots of chicken, fish, fresh (not canned that’s bad) fruits and vegies, whole wheat stuff, yogurt. Not so many cakes and donuts and cookies. Basic common sense for eating, you just need to enforce it. Get all the bad stuff out of the house right away, just toss it or give it away while your still motivated. No alcohol if that applies. Some juice but make sure its all natural, because the ones that aren't are loaded with sugar and a leading cause in diabetes in children and adults. Lots of water, 3-4 liters a day, not all at once, but spread it out. Its really easy to down a liter or two while your watching tv or on the computer. Also drink some after you eat the bigger meals of the day, it helps your body pick out the nutrients in food when your food is more spread apart.  You also need to stay away from any sports drinks unless you’ve just had a long workout and then you need to limit yourself.  Most atheletes mix Gatorade with water because its two  complex for your body to get all the nutrients out of.  It needs to be diluted.  These rules may be hard to adapt to at first so start with cutting out the things you know you can live without.  Then work from there.  Remember these are  perfect eating habits, it can take you a while to work into it.  If you know you can’t live without your one treat a day, don’t fight it by trying to eat something else, just eat it and make sure that’s the only one you cheat on a day.  Otherwise you’ll get depressed and quit.  Another important point is getting the right amount of sleep every night.  You need 8-9 hours of sleep each night for your body to function correctly.  This is an important factor of losing weight.  Set up a routine for yourself and go to bed at about the same time each night.  \nAs for exercise, lots of cardio. Find something you like. If you have never exercised much before, start with walking 30 minutes a day at a brisk pace. Move on to different terrains that include hills and increase the time spent. After a week or two, try jogging the route. No matter what find an activity you enjoy. Walking to jogging is just an example, try hiking, rollerblading, biking. Once you get into a regular routine, if your not happy with the level of difficulty, try signing up with a gym. Spinning, pilates or kickboxing classes are great. It will also introduce you to working with weights. Talk to a trainer for instruction before using any weights. A cheap investment is a balance ball, it works you stomach while your just sitting on it, like at your computer and its great for posture. There are hundreds of exercises you can use it for for your entire body. I can give you some ideas if you want, just email me. Also for more info on the benefits of water go to www.watercure.com Good Luck! Honestly if you need anything else don't hesitate to IM me, krista_girl86 even if you don't pick me as best answer, i'd be happy to help.  Also check out the website for the tv show The Biggest Loser on NBC.  There are many, many helpful facts on there.
1036287
Be your own trainer and nutritionist, the basic rules to losing weight are no soda, no fast food, lots of chicken, fish, fresh (not canned that’s bad) fruits and vegies, whole wheat stuff, yogurt. Not so many cakes and donuts and cookies. Basic common sense for eating, you just need to enforce it. Get all the bad stuff out of the house right away, just toss it or give it away while your still motivated. No alcohol and no smoking  if that applies. Some juice but make sure its all natural, because the ones that aren't are loaded with sugar and a leading cause in diabetes in children and adults. Lots of water, 3-4 liters a day, not all at once, but spread it out. Its really easy to down a liter or two while your watching tv or on the computer. Also drink some after you eat the bigger meals of the day, it helps your body pick out the nutrients in food when your food is more spread apart.  You also need to stay away from any sports drinks unless you’ve just had a long workout and then you need to limit yourself.  Most atheletes mix Gatorade with water because its two  complex for your body to get all the nutrients out of.  It needs to be diluted.  These rules may be hard to adapt to at first so start with cutting out the things you know you can live without.  Then work from there.  Remember these are  perfect eating habits, it can take you a while to work into it.  If you know you can’t live without your one treat a day, don’t fight it by trying to eat something else, just eat it and make sure that’s the only one you cheat on a day.  Otherwise you’ll get depressed and quit.  Another important point is getting the right amount of sleep every night.  You need 8-9 hours of sleep each night for your body to function correctly.  This is an important factor of losing weight.  Set up a routine for yourself and go to bed at about the same time each night.  \nAs for exercise, lots of cardio. Find something you like. If you have never exercised much before, start with walking 30 minutes a day at a brisk pace. Move on to different terrains that include hills and increase the time spent. After a week or two, try jogging the route. No matter what find an activity you enjoy. Walking to jogging is just an example, try hiking, rollerblading, biking. Once you get into a regular routine, if your not happy with the level of difficulty, try signing up with a gym. Spinning, pilates or kickboxing classes are great. It will also introduce you to working with weights. Talk to a trainer for instruction before using any weights. A cheap investment is a balance ball, it works you stomach while your just sitting on it, like at your computer and its great for posture. There are hundreds of exercises you can use it for for your entire body. I can give you some ideas if you want, just email me. Also for more info on the benefits of water go to www.watercure.com Good Luck! Honestly if you need anything else don't hesitate to IM me, krista_girl86 even if you don't pick me as best answer, i'd be happy to help.  Also check out the website for the tv show The Biggest Loser on NBC.  There are many, many helpful facts on there.