There are things concerning your health that you have to consider if you are a diabetic who is trying to lose weight. There are a lot of complications that can occur if you have diabetes and you don’t follow the medical protocols you’ve been given, whether type 1 or type 2 (type 1 often has more dietary complications, but you do have to keep an eye on these for type 2 as well). Changing your eating habits and exercising can have a negative or positive impact on your health so it’s important that you discuss what you are doing to lose weight with a medical professional so that you don’t put yourself at risk. Here are a few things you should consider:
1. Diet is a big part of your blood sugar control, and if you reduce your calories too much, you can start to have issues. This is probably the biggest thing that you have to keep in mind when you are dieting as a diabetic. You have probably been told that you have to eat certain things in a certain way in order to maintain your blood sugar levels throughout your day. It is not a good ideal to dramatically change what you’ve been told to do simply because you’re trying to lose weight. For example, small portions have always been thought to be helpful with weight loss, but diabetics have to make sure that they are still getting the appropriate amount and type of food to regulate blood sugar.
2. Keep an eye on your carbs and eat them throughout the day. Many diets tell you to cut out most of the carbohydrates you eat, but as a diabetic, that can really be detrimental. So don’t totally cut them out; it’s okay to lower the number of carbohydrates that you have in your diet as long as the amount that you keep in is sufficient enough for you to stay healthy as you are trying to lose weight. Your doctor can help you determine which carbohydrates to keep, which ones to drop, and how low you can (or should) go.
3. Exercise is something that you really have to watch, because if you push too hard, you can kill what you’re working toward. Some diabetics will try to develop their exercise regimen on their own, but that doesn’t always work in their favor. You may push yourself too hard, or you may throw your blood sugar way out of whack. Because of these risks, many diabetics will actually opt to work with a personal trainer or seek professional help. Why? Because trainers usually have be taught how to work with people with special medical needs (including diabetes) and they will be able to develop a safe exercise regimen that will encourage weight loss but won’t put other areas of your overall health at risk. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
4. You cannot make too many changes too quickly or you may throw your body into shock. This is a good rule whether you are diabetic or not. If you try to change everything about your diet and exercise all at once, your body may not be too happy about what you are doing to it. As a diabetic, the risk is higher because your blood sugar will likely go all over the place, which will force you to change the amount of insulin that you are using throughout the day. It may be better for you to make gradual changes and keep a very close eye on your blood sugar. Then, you can make a particular change, wait for your blood sugar to adjust to the change, and then make a new change after your blood sugar has corrected itself. Slow and steady wins the race.
5. Eating slowly is still important, diabetic or not. In our culture, we have a tendency to “scarf down” our food, and even though that’s a side effect of how quick our current world moves, it’s not good for our digestive systems. The nutrients that we need don’t absorb as well, we don’t enjoy the taste of our food as much, and our digestive system isn’t very happy with that sort of result. So, make sure that you sit down and enjoy your meals, instead of just eating everything as quickly as you can. It will help with the overall process of weight loss and make you feel more satisfied.
If you have diabetes and you want to make sure that you lose weight safely and effectively, make sure that you talk to your doctor early on in the process. Then, they can help you make the appropriate changes in a timeframe that is safe and sufficient for the weight loss that you are seeking. Contact your doctor as soon as possible for guidance and advice on the topic.
linda says
This is a very good article, I am type two diabetic and hypothyroid I use have frequent episodes where my blood sugars would bottom and I would pass out. I found myself doing what you recommended in your article. I had and still have to maintain contact with my pcm and dietitian so I don’t blow my health. It took a while but I am managing very well. I won’t ever be able to go on a protein diet where there are no carbs allowed the risk or damage to my kidneys is too great with large amounts of protein in my urine. But thanks to this great website I have learned how to eat clean and become so much healthier.
linda says
And on a positive note I have lost 54 lbs so diabetics and those with thyroid problems can lose weight with the right help………….