Can y'all chime in with an opinion? :-) - long post

[plummer925]

Hi all!

I would like to ask opinions if you do not mind.

Background: I weigh abt 245-250 - I'm type II diabetic (well, my last A1C - last week - was 6.0 so I guess I can say it's definitely under control!!!). I'm on Metformin - 750 extended 2x/day - (I also have PCOS, so even if I'm no longer diabetic, I'd probably continue taking that until menopause in the hopes that I could conceive - I'm 35 now). I am also on Synthroid (112 mg) for a sluggish thyroid.

My old doc had me go on South Beach - I lost abt 20 pounds in 3 weeks then went back to my old eating habits. I go to a VERY conservative church that has huge fellowship meals every Sunday (lots of pastas and casseroles). My church is not super supportive of any "diet".

My NEW doc wants me to be vegan - he is Seventh Day Adventist, but he's also an internal dr instead of a family dr.

My husband wants me to eat "normal" (he was completely supportive of South Beach, and not at all supportive of Vegan).

Me? I want to lose weight but not feel deprived.

The research I've read has suggested that a strict low-fat vegan diet WILL reverse diabetes, just as a strict low-carbohydrate diet (such as Atkins).

I failed South Beach because of my sugar addiction, plain and simple. I crave it - whether it be natural sugars (fruits) or frankenfoods (whoopie pies).

I'm not even sure just WHAT I'm asking an opinion on....I"m just confused on what to do, and tired of not feeling good and hearing the "fat jokes" (just today at a funeral I went to my aunt commented that fat people stay hot...we were talking about the AC - I said I put mine on 62 in the summer - she freezes at 69....she lives in Florida and I'm in Maine...I don't think it has anything to do with my being fat...and that hurt my feelings too...sigh).

I just NEED to rid myself of over 100 pounds in the healthiest, but quickest way possible....I guess the choice is; Atkins, Vegan, or something else...

Any comments? (Sorry so long!)

Blessings!

Crystal

[mizski]

Re: Can y'all chime in with an opinion? - long post

Well, the biggest hurdle to overcome is that you cannot go back to your old eating habits...whatever diet plan you choose. The church dinners puzzle me, meaning that you are diabetic and cannot eat a lot of those foods. Same goes for people with food allergies. One would think there would be more tolerance in this day and age and especially at a church function. Yes, I know....in a perfect world. Still, you cannot eat these things.

On to a diet plan. South Beach is an excellent plan. I was on it before Atkins but found it to be too many carbs for me and the invitation to carb creep was always there because it allowed fruits and grains (whole grain breads/pastas).

Vegan is a tough transition. I would imagine your husband is probably living in fear that you may choose this route. When I tried vegetarian and then vegan I morally felt better, but that way of eating is very high carb and I oscillated between remaining the same weight and gaining weight. To lose even a little bit of weight, calories and fat had to be very low...I was always hungry and pretty miserable which I would have tolerated if I lost weight.

Now to Atkins. I've found it to be the best plan for weight loss and it has worked wonders for Mr. Ski's Type II diabetes. Atkins has a lot of tasty foods allowed and ketosis eliminates that constant hunger and cravings thing. Many people are able to cook these meals and add various starches for non lowcarbing family members. I think your husband will like having a nice big steak or pork chop or chicken with the skin on.

Having tried all three of your suggested choices, my vote is to try Atkins. I think you will be pleased with the results and I really think it is the quickest way to shed weight compared to the other plans. It is important to follow it correctly though, especially in the initial first two-week Induction phase. Check out the Induction FAQs and stickies here to get an idea and then if you want to give it a go, please get the DANDR 2002 book.

Good luck and please let us know what you decide.

p.s. The fat jokes are just mean and cruel. I think most of us can recall similar situations to yours. They are hurtful things and create painful memories that last. Very sad. Just wanted you to know that you're not alone on that one.

[imagood1]

Re: Can y'all chime in with an opinion? - long post

Hi and welcome --

Because you have many health issues you need to get them under control for life - not just until you loose a few pounds so thefinal decision has to be yours.

I've been on a few diets but Atkins is the one that has been what I felt was best for me. Last July I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes but didn't do anything about it until the end of December - that's when I decided to make a change and started researching ways to loose weight in a healthy manner. I started Atkins January 5th and have taken my weight down but more importantly my A1C went from 10.3 to 5.0 when I saw my endocrinologist 3 months ago. I go see her again on the 2nd and am hoping my meds are reduced if not stopped completely.

The best advise I could give you is to buy the 2002 Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution book and read it - that way you'll know the science behind the plan, why and how it works and you'll have the best start you can have.

Good luck whatever way you decide to go.

[JohnC]

Re: Can y'all chime in with an opinion? - long post

As a fellow diabetic, I will tell you that the ONLY way to eat to control your sugar is LOW CARB. Vegan eating = no meat at all - not good for sugar control, plain and simple. My suggestion to you and to all diabetics is to get the book "Diabetic Diet" by Dr. Richard K. Bernstein and read it. He is a strong advocate of the low-carb lifestyle. You will get enlightened. I have read this book and followed his plan for almost three weeks and my blood sugar went from 294 to 100 in that time. I have more energy and am losing weight each week. Good Luck to you!

[SMKelly]

Re: Can y'all chime in with an opinion? - long post

First of all,

ITA with the other posters. 'Nuff said. BTW, my sugars were in the 200's and sometimes low 300s (no meds) and in the low 200s/high 10os with meds before Atkins. Within a week (5 days, actually) my fasting sugars were 85-100 and my post-meal sugars were 100-120, with no meds. And they've stayed that way for the entire time since. (I started 9.9)

As for the mean comments and jokes, don't EVEN get me started on the subject of religious hypocrisy. (But I'm going to add as short a commentary as I possibly can.)

You are doing this for your health and your life. You're not hurting any one of them, and screw them if they don't like it. Whatever happened to supporting your fellow man? oooh! So you are dieting. Is it a sin? no. Is it bothering the rest of your congregation? It shouldn't! But it apparently does, but to what end? It can't be positive. Only destructive and demoralizing.

I've lived with judgemental parents (Mormon and Catholic) and it screwed me up royally for many, many years. My husband and I just aim to be good people and treat others with the respect we would like. And we follow the 10 commandments under no particular religion.

And we don't judge. For we are only human. And regardless of what religion you are or choose, isn't it a universal belief that there is really only one "judge?"

Good luck and well wishes for you to succeed on this journey. Don't risk your health or life to save the gossipmongers and "church ladies" out there. Nothing is worth that.

Warm regards,
Shelley

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Can y'all chime in with an opinion? - long post

>>go to a VERY conservative church that has huge fellowship meals every Sunday (lots of pastas and casseroles). My church is not super supportive of any "diet".>>

Are they supportive of you killing yourself with their food?

Not eating food that's doing damage to your health is YOUR responsibility ... what YOU eat is YOUR choice.

You must learn to say, "No, thank you". Trust me, you can have fellowship without eating bad food. And if you must eat, then bring your own food.

>> I just NEED to rid myself of over 100 pounds in the healthiest, but quickest way possible>>

Quick isn't always best ... the slower you lose the weight, the better your chances of keeping if off. And the better your body will adjust.

You might also want to read Dr. Atkins Diabetic Revolution.

[RosieC]

Re: Can y'all chime in with an opinion? - long post

I failed South Beach because of my sugar addiction, plain and simple. I crave it - whether it be natural sugars (fruits) or frankenfoods (whoopie pies).

I haven't been on Atkins long but it is the first thing I have ever done where I have no sugar addict cravings at all.

There is no fruit in induction, that's where it differs from South Beach, and that's where you have a much better chance of succeeding with this, I think.

Splenda is allowed but I don't use it, I think it is important not to have either the carbs or the taste of sweetness.

I have tried vegan. I have even tried raw vegan where I practically lived on fruit. It sounds like a sugar addict's dream but I still broke out and binged on chocolate etc every couple of weeks. Nobody ever cured an addiction by feeding it, that's the thing.

Good luck whichever way you go

[homeseeker]

Re: Can y'all chime in with an opinion? - long post

Dear Plummer 925,
This is an Atkin group but it includes successful low carb teachers like Rosedale, Bernstine and Sears. Atkin has controlled my diabetes for three years. It is not much of an adjustment to cook for Southbeach but follow Atkin.
For those who use religion to learn how to eat I have this question. When you want to learn mathematics do you use the Bible for your textbook. My experience in spiritual advice for dieting was a 19 year lacto-vegetarian diet which left me overweight and diabetic. I say go with Atkin. Second choice that your husband may prefer is Rosedale. Both have books.
Best wishes,
Homeseeker