Weight Loss

There are two issues here with diabetes: unintentional weight loss, and intentional weight loss.

Diabetes causes unintentional weight loss when blood sugar levels are too high. This is because there is plenty of energy there, but the body cannot use it, so it begins to metabolize body fat, or muscle, instead. This can cause rapid weight loss and intense and frequent hunger in people with diabetes that is out of control.
 

Many people though, who have insulin resistant diabetes, or who have insulin insufficiency combined with insulin resistance, have a difficult time losing weight when they wish to. Weight loss can be an important help in gaining control over diabetes, but it is not as simple as just eating less and watching the pounds drop off.

In order for weight loss to occur, it must almost always be accompanied by an increase in activity. If it is not, then the body will simply adjust to the new caloric intake, and maintain the current weight in spite of lower intake. So regular exercise is going to be essential for success. Exercise has its own benefits for blood sugar control as well, so it will give back more than just one thing.

Many people resort to "low carb" diets to lose weight. It is never about eliminating carbs! Diets too low in carbohydrates can be very dangerous for diabetics, and long term can cause serious health problems for anyone. Diabetes control, AND weight loss, both hinge on getting a healthy amount of carbohydrate, getting healthy KINDS of carbohydrates, balancing carbs with proteins and fats, and getting sufficient exercise to burn more than you consume.

Rapid weight loss is not healthy either. An average of 1 lb a week is rapid enough that it is on the high end of what is safe for most people. 1-2 lbs a month is usually what a body will settle into once it adjusts to the new limits.

The hardest thing about weight loss is that you have to develop new habits. That takes a month, and the second and third weeks are the hardest. You have to go in with the mindset that what you are doing, you'll do for the rest of your life. If you do it just as a temporary diet, it will never work.

I have battled weight for years. I have not gained for about 10 years, but neither have I lost permanently, partly because I cannot exercise effectively right now due to a muscular disorder. Long term, I hope that I can find a solution to the problem, because I know that losing some of the weight would help my ability to control my blood sugar.

Make sure that you speak with your doctor about any diet plans before you dive in, and make sure you monitor your blood sugar carefully as you adjust diet and exercise. You need to make sure you get enough to avoid hypoglycemia, but not so much that you defeat your purpose.

Written by Laura Wheeler, Owner of Firelight Business Enterprises, Inc.