Anyone with insulin resistance issues?

[mayachel]

I'm concerned that I'm showing some signs of it, mostly rapid weight gain or loss (span of 10lbs), plus energy level high or crashing in relation to the types of foods I eat on any given day, as well as spacing of these foods. I feel like my weight just keeps creeping up the more attention I pay to good food choices/portion control etc...I'm vegetarian, eat all my vegetables and whole grains kind of girl.

 

[steph72276]

Hi! I actually had some insulin resistance issues a few years ago after the birth of my first son. I couldn't lose the baby weight despite running 5-6 miles a day and really watching calorie intake. The main factor that made me worried that something was going on was extreme fatigue. I'm talking, I would get into bed about 9pm, then wake up at 7am or so and then literally have to lay on the sofa and couldn't get up to take care of my son except bare minimum things I had to do. It was awful. After feeling like that for a while, I finally went to see my doctor who did blood tests on me. My insulin was so high, that she said she had never seen a number like that come back in all her years as an MD. So, she put me on Metformin (which made me so so sick for the first few months) and suggested a diet that loosely followed the South Beach diet (without the extreme first part where all carbs are cut out). I watched my sugar very closely. Within months, I had gained my energy back and lost 50ish pounds to go back to my normal weight. After about a year on the medication, I was tested again and showed no signs of insulin resistance. I still get tested yearly to make sure there are no issues and while I am not as strict on my diet now, I still try to watch the sugar intake and try to eat small meals every few hours to prevent low blood sugar issues. I would suggest making a doctor's appointment and have your MD do bloodwork so you can know for sure. Diet and medication can work wonders and I am proof that the medication doesn't have to be a permanent thing. Good luck!

 

[mayachel]

Thank you for sharing your experience FL Steph. You hit the nail on the head for my own fears of too young to be on medication for a lifetime. I actually didn't know that metformin could be a temporary thing. This makes me feel more encouraged about looking into it all. I'm happy to hear that the lifestyle changes have worked out so well for you.

 

[steph72276]

Glad I could help a little. Yeah, I would get it checked out asap b/c if you really do have issues, it is best to get it under control before it turns into full blown diabetes.

 

[StonieGrl]

Get a book on glycemic control/insulin resistance and learn the glycemic indexes of the foods you feel you must have in your diet and make sure you are balancing your carb to protein ratio.

I just finished phase I of South Beach, I lost 8 pounds and I feel like my younger self again. Phase I is the glycemic control all the way.

 

[sunnyam]

Hi

I was diagnosed with IR in 2003 I was always active in high school with rowing and lacrosse that I kept it under wraps. However, when I left of college I started to gain and gain and by my third year I was 212 pounds and dispite running five miles a day and watching what I ate, I couldnt lose weight. I moved back home went to an endocrinologist. Ive been on and off metformin since then. My weight has gone as low as 170 ( which is where I should be) and as high as 297. I got some new Doctors and Iam working with a repro specialist and Ive lost about 14 pounds so far. The more you lose the better the IR corrects its self.

Ive got a long way to go . . . but its a new year.

think if it as a three legged table ( triangle )
each leg being 1. diet 2. exercise 3. medication
all of these have to be supported to lose weight. Ive one leg falls, its off balance and loosing weight is next to impossible.

 

[mayachel]

Hey Sunny, Thanks for sharing your story and good job with the work you've put in so far. What are your choice exercises these days?