Hi bizi,

I should clarify, I am not a great condiment consumer - a small squeeze of yoghurt and garlic sauce on a baked potato once a week, and now fries are out so is ketchup. I do count my allocation of skimmed milk I use in tea, and obviously fruit juices - everything natural, unsweetened, vitamin enriched.

I am a Diabetic, another factor in my need to lose this belly fat. I have my levels checked at my GP's during my Annual Review, last year it was 6.9. I have developed new/further deterioration in the form of sharp needle stabbing pains in my feet, legs and hands this year. I have full bloods being done on 12th of this month, with a GP Review a week later.

Gerry, I have spoken with one of my GPs about calorie count and vitamin/mineral deficiencies - although I am eating better now than I have for years. My diet was not particularly bad, it was the extras and the sheer amount that was the problem. Anyway, my GP was very supportive with a count of around 1200kcals being a good starting point. Remember, due to the pain and my injuries I am very sedentary. It is easier to pop a couple of hundred more cals on mid afternoon with a cereal bar and an apple than it is to scrounge around to make further cuts once the diet is established.

I really do appreciate everyone's advice and encouragement, the weight may have started dropping quite quickly (as before), but this IS very hard.

Dave.

This is hard and you are doing a good job, it will be curious to see what your next a1c is in three months I bet it will be more normal if not then your meds need to be adjusted 6.9 is still too high. diabetes is a silent attacker of your kidneys, eye sight etc. a disease of the whole body as you know.
I am a registered nurse and have dealt with a lot of people with diabetes in the past.
good luck in this journey. We are here to help support you. Hopefully you have people in real life that support you too.
bizi

Hi bizi,

They haven't put me on meds for my Diabetes - yet. I am supposed to be diet-controlled. Maybe this year that will change, then again hopefully I can crack it with this new regime.

Real life support is patchy. Everyone knows I need to lose the weight, but those in my vincinity are waning in their enthusiasm, even though they 'talk the talk' about joining me. My Daughter who lives away, and sister who is ill are both right there with me.

Dave.

You can ask your MD to put you on meds they will help you lose weight in addition to bringing down your blood sugar. 6.9 is too high!:eek:
bizi

Just received a Diabetic Retinopathy appt for early July.

I will definitely speak to my GP about everything involved… meds, possibly getting a meter and self-testing. Now I am taking positive action myself in dieting and losing weight I feel more comfortable asking for help.

Dave.

You are doing great dave. keep moving forward!
bizi

I hit 2 initial Landmarks today - 28 days in. Another 6lbs this fortnight makes a total of 14lbs (have decided to round down instead of up, actual 14.7) after 8 in first 2 weeks. We use the weight format: Stones and Pounds over here for weighing ourselves - those of us who haven't gone Metric, and 14lb is 1 stone:) My waist is also beginning to shift, the fat started getting softer, less taut - it was like a large drum - now I have lost an inch, which I am very excited about.

Psychologically, it is getting easier. Even mealtimes with the reduced quantities are fine, in the main as I have a nice piece of fruit between meals, instead of half a packet of biscuits. My water and no sugar/no sweetener, low cal diluted fruit juice intake has doubled, pure fruit juice intake has been cut to RDA. My real problem is still with the Metoclopramide, which I can never get away from.

I think my weight loss has now settled to up to 3lbs per week, which is a good, sustainable level for the distance I have to go on my Journey. With losing an inch off my waist I am 10% there.

Dave.

WELL DONE DAVE!
YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY THE KIND OF PERSON WHO REALLY STICKS TO GOALS ONCE YOU'VE SET THEM. I ADMIRE YOUR DRIVE AND DETERMINATION. WISH I COULD BE MORE LIKE YOU. WHAT IS EVEN MORE AMAZING IS YOU ARE DOING THIS DESPITE THE Metoclopramide. CONGRATULATIONS ON ACHIEVING GOALS!
CELEBRATE WITH A BITE OF A COOKIE.

MY BEST, D.

You have done so well dave!
But please don't use food as a reward!
congratulations on the 1 inch waist loss that is fantastic!!!!!!
awesome!
bizi

Dave, I think that you are doing really well.

I had a chat to a couple of my professional dietitian colleagues about this, obviously not revealing any private stuff. They both said that your idea of sustainable weight loss is right on the money.

Good job and keep it up!