Hi bizi,

Thanks for the encouragement - and especially the advice. I am now aiming more at 1200kCals per day as a deliberate Target. I didn't want to have to cut, then cut again, but then my 'Low Count' days are not deliberate, just that I am eating a very varied diet. When I have a low cal main meal (fish usually) I will compensate with a higher count lunch and snacks.

I am slowly getting a grip on the hunger issue by allocating enough for a small snack every few hours.

I am coming from a long way up, with great determination - fuelled by the support of my Friends here. For that I thank you all.

Dave.

Drinking a ton of water and chewing gum helps me.
a piece of fruit like an apple or a pear in the evening is perfect when I watch an episode of the x-files with my hubby in the evening around 10:30 pm.
lights out midnight.
tonight we had a late dinner, I worked late so dinner at 720pm when we normally eat at 6. then we took a walk around the neighborhood, about 2 miles.
I wear a fit bit and todays totals are:
7615 steps
3.17 miles
1782 calories burned total
for dinner I had baked chicken with bacon and cream cheese
( rarely do I eat bacon!) and steamed brussel sprouts with strawberries and blueberries for desert oh and 2 dark chocolate hersheys kisses.
bizi

Thanks again bizi,

I have to watch Gum, acid issues I take Lansoprazole and Metoclopramide for. Fruit I am finding is good, instead of reaching for a packet of cookies. My Diabetes glucose levels are obviously dropping from this swap (I don't test yet, maybe this year).

For dinner last night I had 4oz Southern Coated Chicken Breast - as a treat, baked. 8oz baked potato and 6oz steamed peas and green beans. I hit 1180kcal yesterday nicely. I am not an obsessive counter, I do not include splurges of condiments or the like, and I round up and down. As long as I am hitting 1200-1300 consistently, now I am 'in the groove' I am happy.

Dave.

oh dave look at your condiments. they can really add up!
Are you diabetic? knowing what your A1c is really helps to see how your blood sugars have been over the past 3 months. It should be below 6.
bizi

Bizi is right about at least 1200 Cals; even 1500 Cals for a man would still be good. You don't want to set yourself up for failure by not allowing yourself enough to sustain a good diet.

Wishing you a successful, lasting diet.


Gerry

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!
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.