The downside of weightloss

[SleepingUgly]

The first places I lose weight are the last places I want to lose it--face and breasts. One more example of how life's not fair! Congrats on the weight loss. If anyone can find a solution to the mask problem, it's you.

[Alshain]

Oh I know what you mean. There are lots of weight loss side effects, like the floppy skin that won't tighten up... but this is better than diabetes.

[SueBee]

Congrats to all of you on the weight loss! Please share how you did it - any special tips other than eating less and exercising more? What exactly do you eat? How much do you exercise? I can't seem to make any progress.

[Janknitz]

I'm just limiting my carbs and I've also cut out grains and sugars for the most part. I was very successful with low carbing 11 years ago--it resulted in a lot of weight loss and I got pregnant, so I guess I've been kind of scared to try again for all this time because of that side effect (We love our 10 year old dearly, but now we take precautions!). So I'm not following any particular plan, just limiting my carbs and making sure I get enough protein and fat to compensate. I loosely follow Dana Carpender's recommendations in How I Gave up My Low Fat Diet and Lost 40 Pounds and I'm getting a lot of ideas from Atkins, Paleo people including Mark Sisson, etc. A lot of research and knowledge has come along since I was last doing this!

Because of my past experience I know how to "do low carb", so I didn't find I needed something too structured. If you are just starting out, the structure of a program really helps. If you need a LOT of structure and do best with a lot of limitations you should try Atkins, but if you need more "wiggle room", Protein Power is a little looser. People who are adopting various paleo plans seem to be having good success as well.

I wasn't even able to walk across the room, let alone exercise 2 months ago--things were really BAD. Now I'm doing a wimpy little bit of exercise, but I AM exercising. I can walk a couple of blocks now! Exercise is not enough to be responsible for any of my weight loss yet. I feel great, though, and truly, a low carb way of eating is NO deprivation--I love the food I'm eating and the cravings are long gone.

I will be very surprised if losing weight has much of an impact on my apnea. I have a very narrow airway as a result of the dysmorphisms that are related to my genetic condition, so I'm pretty certain that the apnea is caused by that more than just being overweight. It's nice to have an APAP so that if there is any change in my pressure needs the machine will help me retitrate. But it will be interesting to see what changes with my weightloss--I've got a lot more to lose.

[Lizistired]

Another good resource is "The Diabetes Solution" by Richard K. Bernstein.

[Janknitz]

I've read Dr. B's stuff too. Great info! I'm not diabetic but certainly headed that way if I don't get things under control here. So I'm really working on watching my blood sugars. Whether I lose weight or not, my body really needs this.

[Lizistired]

Me too Jan. I think by the time my Dr says anything, some damage will be done already.
For those interested, here is another great starting place...
http://videomedia2.swedish.org/mediasit ... 9b66ef8f8f