I have put on a few extra pounds lately that i am finding a bit difficult to shake off, this is not " off the subject of PN " as being previously diagnosed with Prediabetes it is pretty crucial for me to retain good sugar levels not to aggravate the nerves.

I eat all the proper foods, no fats on meat, skinless breasts of chicken, plenty of fish, LOTS of vegetables, no sweets, no alcohol, drink heaps of water and walk for a half an hour most days, but i did go through a period of less activity than normal and that's when i put on the unwanted pounds, but getting rid of it is not so easy this time around.

I have heard some talk about no carb's or less carb's after a certain time of day, anyone have any experience with this or have other idea's that have proven to work well ?
I do have mostly veg's [no potatoes] and a variety of meats in my evening meal, perhaps to many vegetables ???
I suppose a slower metabolism comes with all the other goodies we get when one gets over the 50 mark

I would appreciate any thoughts, advise,
thanks,
Brian

It almost seems that our body's metabolic systems--our glucose/insulin feedback system, in particular--was not made to last us for the lifespans that we are now capable of. Sometime around the late 30's to the mid 40's (happened around 38 to me) the metabolism slows down, as almost all of us develop cellular insulin resistance to some degree, abetted by the loss of muscle (which has more energy needs than most other body tissues except the brain).

I think you're basically doing the right thing--you want to be on a diet very low in simple carbs, and lower in carbs in general, than when you were younger, to give the insulin system some slack in not overreacting to sudden glucose floods (which it tends to slam right into fat cells at this point). Exercise is of course very important, and there seems to be some evidence that building muscle--or at least working not to lose it--may be even more important than aerobic fitness in normalizing the insulin system. Of course, this may not result in much weight loss--muscle weighs more than fat--but one can usually tell by one's body contours (and how one's clothes fit).

The other thing I find helpful is some version of the Zone eating paradigm--small, protein/fat/carb balanced meals several times a day (not two or three) to keep blood sugar/insulin reaction calm and measured. Big spikes from big meals--even if you're eating exactly the same amount of food over the course of a day--tend to result in more fat accumulation over time.

I've actually lost a few pounds over the last several weeks--I'd gotten up to 210 lbs., which is about 20-25 over what I should be. I tend to blame it on the gabapentin, which does have that carb crave/hypothalamus altering side effect--but I'm down to about 206, and I want to dump a few more before Thanksgiving comes along.

on this subject.... I myself have hit the wall.

My metabolism has slowed way down, I have found, at over 60.

Likewise...


Cathie

I've done a bit of research on the glycemic index. There are lists of foods that are the good, the bad and the ugly. It was first created for use by diabetics if I have my information correct. They found that people that followed this glycemic index in planning their diets/meals also lost weight. You might want to check into this if you haven't already.

Hi Brian:

Well, helloooooooooooooooooothere my fellow loser weighter person!!!!

I'm a diabetic, on insulin, I'm 60 years old, I have degenerative joint disease. I used to weigh 300 lbs. And while I'm not at my ideal weight, yet......I'm getting there.

What worked for me is this. I don't eat any refined carbs, sugar, ANYTHING processed (especially after breakfast. I allow myself a low carb bagel with cream cheese and a cup of Dunkin Donuts Coffee for breakfast every day. Some days it's a different bagel (if they don't have the low-carb ones).

Also, and maybe you can do this, and maybe you can't but, on the advice of the nutritionist Alan and I went to, we went off all red meat whatsoever.

We eat fish, chicken, turkey (lean), and well, no red meat. I remember asking the nutritionist "you mean that a person can't ever eat red meat (and at the time I asked this question, I had been off of red meat for over 10 years, and I just wanted to get her opinion on red meat).

She looked at me and said "if you HAVE to eat a steak, make it once a month, and that's it". I'll never forget the look on her face.

But meat is a good source of B-12. So because I don't eat any red meat, I take the Methyl B-12. So there's my source of B-12.
With me, it's all about the refined sugars, carbs, etc. So after breakfast, it's protein, salads, (including raw veggies), with a splash of extra virgin olive oil.).

For lunch, why not try a salad with grilled chicken. In that salad, there are a few tomatoes, some sliced black olives, some shreded raw zucchini and throw on the cooked grilled chicken, which has been sliced, add a splash of lemon juice and the extra virgin olive oil. Toss, and eat. It's really good and very satisfying.

Then wait 30 minutes or so, and, only if you are able to walk and have no serious feet problems, go for a brisk walk for 30 minutes. Get your heart rate up. I'm 60, and on the days when my knees are not acting up (like if it's 90 degrees outside), I walk for an hour. It burns up whatever I ate.

Now if you start to do weight lifting. And this is especially good for guys, you have to eat small meals throughout the day because you have to FEED the muscle mass and muscle BURNS THE FAT!!!

So, if you are one of those guys with barbells and dumbells around the house, do some lifting, eat some protein, and go out and walk.

If you are not able to do this, just sit in the chair, take two big cans of vegetables and lift them in each hand. It's still weights and it will still burn fat.

See the whole idea is to get started, keep doing it, eat a bit more protein, and lots less carbs. No refined sugars, no high fructose corn syrup in anything you put in your mouth (this stuff is in everything, so read labels). That's why I cook everything I put in my mouth.

And believe me, I was the biggest hostess cupcake eater on the planet.

And I don't put anything in my mouth after 7 p.m. at night. I AM ABLE TO DO THIS. Some diabetics can't. You have to do what's good for your body.


It's all about the metabolism, getting it revved up, and keeping it revved up. Doing it after 50 is the pits. But hey, we gotta try.

I plan on looking like Sophia Loren when I'm 70. Alan thinks I'm nuts, but I make him laugh.

So good luck on your path to being a thinner person.

Believe me, if I followed my own advice when I was 30, I wouldn't be a type 2 diabetic today.

But better late than never.

Melody

You got that right !!
Much, much, more difficult.
I found that Weiight Watchers diet (I did not go to weekly meetings or weigh-ins) worked for me. But my wife ( she's over 50 y's.o.) did go to weekly meetings & weigh-ins and lost over 50 lbs and has kept it off for over 2 yrs.
The points counting system will work. Slowly. One or two lbs at a time... and in 20 weeks, you'll have lost 30-40 lbs. But 20 weeks is almost 1/2 year. Slower is better than fast methods, or slim-pills.
Well....that's my 2 cents!

I have been reading the Dr Oz books one is You the Owners Manual and another is You on a Diet. They also have You the Smart Patient and is about getting the best treatment.I was told I need to express myself better here so this is very helpful for me. So anyhow I don't need to loose weight but I want to eat better. The diet one though seems very informative for people who do. I work with a nutritionist which I think is so helpful and encourage you and others to try one. I'm on an exhange based meal plan that is based on my calorie needs. My nutritionist is not about diets even for people who need to loose weight cause my friend who is a compulsive eater goes to her but about a lifestyle change. No quick fixes but about health. Its about eating every few hours,balance of carb/protein/fat at meals and snacks. You need carbs but the good ones. There energy and if you add a protein and fat it will help slow digestion.That keeps you satisfied and like the energizer bunny.The eating every few hours keeps the furnace going so your a calorie burning machine. My dad is having similar issues. When he was younger being so thin ate junk. Now he has super high cholesterol and pre diabetes. So he has had to change the way he eats and now exercises. My nutritionist always reminds me that proper fuel and a healthy body also helps with meds being absorbed. I really need to work too on better eating. I gained the weight but my food choices are less then optimal. I have learned so much from you all and the problems that can arise when older.Some things we can't control with our health but some we can. I think reminding ourselves that. Good luck.

Brian I would like to help you more. Unfortunately i don't as much as people here. But i can tell you a bit of what my nutriologist has recommended me. When i was on prednisone i gained 10 kilos, i think that is like 20 pounds. I went to the nutriologist and she gave a diet. It was helthy food just as the one you tell us you eat. So i guess what could make you lose more weight would be exercise. Swimming is a good one. I don't know if you're able to do it. But if you are i think you should try it. It can burn more calories thatn walking because you use all your muscles. As far as food is concerned, besides eating healthy food, it is a good idea to eat vegetables first. According to my nutriologist it is easier to process food if you start with veggies. Go see a nutriologist if you don’t loose weight soon. He or she will recommend an adequate balanced program for you. Good luck.

My only suggestion is that your last full meal of the day be three hours prior to bedtime. You need time for your body to burn most or all of it off before you lie down at night. Sometimes that one little change will produce results.

I actually had more success with a balanced meal approach than with low carb. I always have protein with my carbs and vice versa. A nutritionist or diabetic specialist could tell you what range of carbs per meal would be best for you.

And don't get too stressed about it. You're already eating healthy foods, which is more than most people could say. A few extra pounds is less of an issue if you have a healthy lifestyle.

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