First Low Carb A1C

I started a low carb diet 10 weeks ago, 2 weeks after an A1C of 8.0. Yesterday, my results came back 6.2. During that period I also lost about 15 lbs, which was more of a bonus because I really wasn't too concerned about my weight, although I'm glad I didn't get rid of some old pants. I went down 4 notches on my belt so I was happy to lose the weight in the right place.

I mentioned to the doc that I hoped to get down into the 5's next time, but he said that anything 6.5 or under was good. I got the impression that he didn't want me to get much lower.

During this period, I had a few breaks in the diet where I didn't maintain. I went to Banff for a week with my grandson and breakfasted at McDonalds most of the time and went a little whacko at dinner a few times. After dinner testing showed readings as high as 10.2 a couple of hours later.

But all in all, I stuck to the regimen and the results show.

I found that smaller portions were easy to stick to, probably because I live a sedentary life style. As well, I guess the less you eat, the less you want.

Anyway, that about sums up my first 10 weeks of the diet. Thanks to all of you at HealingWell for providing me with the information needed to improve my health.

Maybe I should add that all my related tests improved as well. Cholesterol level was way down and BP down from 155 to 130.

Cheers

Yes, GREAT JOB! Isn't it amazing? You set out to lower your BG and you end up with a bunch of positive side effects -- weight loss, lower cholesterol and BP, more energy, extra money (just kidding about the last one ;-)

You can get down into the 5's --I did (even got into the 4's once). I suspect your doc is just concerned about nutrition and too rapid a change. Your body isn't stupid; in fact its kinda smart. It tends to find its own healthy levels in terms of weight and general health. I have found that my weight loss has leveled off or slowed and that my A1C's are averaging out in the mid 5's now.

Don't worry too much about a slip in the diet here & there. As long as you're eating right as the norm and only making exceptions once in a while, you'll be OK. (see my signature)

Yes, eating smaller portions ... and more often (snacks ... I eat more nuts than all the squirrels in my backyard;-) is the way to go. There is some evidence that eating carbs makes you crave more carbs. I found that once I cut out the bags of chips and marshmallows and Ju Jubes (I STILL think gumdrops should be in a special food group of their own but ...), I no longer felt the hunger for them.

Keep up the good work MP! Its worth it

MattsPop,
I haven't had a chance to welcome you because I've been absent from the forum a bit... (I'm a wedding cake designer and I've been averaging 2 to 5 cakes a weekend.) I am so happy to hear that you are having great results with your new food plan. It's life changing and hard to not just go around and shout it to every Type 2 diabetic you meet. Keep on doing your best and you will continue to have great results. I used the nothing white but cauliflower & cottage cheese food plan to get off insulin.

Well, I had another A1C done a couple of weeks ago and it was 5.4. So, I went from 8.0 to 5.4 in a little over 6 months. My weight is holding at around 163, which is what it was after the first 3 months. Which kinda leads me to believe that on this diet there is an initial sizable weight loss and then a leveling out. At least, that's the way it seems to be working for me. I'm kinda lucky in that regard because this is where I want to be.

Cheers

Warren

Great news, Warren.  It's wonderful when we can see results from a change in lifestyle, and not just weight loss but controlling the blood sugar and better cholesterol.  I nosh on almonds or macadamia nuts (the ones from Costco are super but I couldn't find them the last trek there.) and cheese cubes.  They do take the edge off feeling hungry in between meals.

Uh oh, I think Warren put me on ignore by accident.     We'll sort this out. 

Great!  (Don't you wish we could do that in 'real' life to some people?) 

Thanks Jeannie!