Line in the sand

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Late in life, I have decided to pay serious attention to my health. I have metabolic syndrome.
I do not want type-2 diabetes.
I do not want 'type-3' diabetes (dementia).
I do not want kidney failure.
I want to delay going to the infernal realm as long as I can.

So far, I have eliminated alcohol [emoji22], sugar and all the carbohydrates I can find. I recently discovered that when a doctor says, you must 'avoid' alcohol, he really means, 'avoid like the plague'. Nada. Zip. [emoji15]

My target is to lose 120 lbs (150, if possible). This will take a looong time. If it works, I will report back. If'n it don't, I might be 'incommunicado' as Jimmy Buffet said. Serious times.

 

[Ronstar]

Good luck Ed! Cutting alcohol, sugar and carbs will cut the weight off. And improve your health immensely. Keep us posted with your progress.

 

[Nemo2]

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-...-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551

Pros and cons of moderate alcohol use
Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits, such as:

Reducing your risk of developing and dying of heart disease
Possibly reducing your risk of ischemic stroke (when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow)
Possibly reducing your risk of diabetes
However, eating a healthy diet and being physically active have much greater health benefits and have been more extensively studied.

Keep in mind that even moderate alcohol use isn't risk-free. For example, even light drinkers (those who have no more than one drink a day) have a tiny, but real, increased risk of some cancers, such as esophageal cancer.

 

[Amethyst]

Cutting things out is not the only change that everyone needs to consider with age.

Increasing physical activity is another.

No, we do not "deserve to slow down and take it easy" because we are older. Something may occur to force us to slow down, but until that happens, we need to stay active.

Or get active, if we weren't already.. It is plain that many of the patrons at my gym are only there because some doctor said "Exercise, or expire."

 

[COcheesehead]

Look into intermittent fasting. Easiest way I have lost weight ever.

 

[Alan]

Good luck Ed, those are some ambitious goals but you sound determined enough to make it work.

 

[timbervest]

Walk. Everyday. At least an hour. With someone if you can. That's the best way to start.

 

[eroscott]

Good on you. I hear exactly what you are saying about the line. I hit one too.

Look into intermittent fasting. Easiest way I have lost weight ever.

Complete back this. I started to 16:8 (8 hr eating window) and now daily do 18:6. Basically skip breakfast. Generally, eat the same tho certain without evening snacking my caloric intake has dropped.

 

[audreyh1]

If you have fatty liver, then cutting out alcohol completely makes sense to me.

The good thing is a very low carb diet reverses fatty liver very quickly.

And it should prevent type II diabetes.

How was your metabolic syndrome diagnosed? Did you have your fasting insulin measured?

I enjoy red wine on my keto diet. It’s very low carb. I never have more than one serving (5oz), and not every day.

I drank quite a bit more wine on our last European trip, and that did not kick me out of ketosis. But I don’t want that to be a permanent part of my lifestyle.

 

[splitwdw]

Ed, Good luck and maybe come back and post here on how you are doing. We'll cheer you on.

 

[footenote]

Good luck, Ed! You may experience "keto flu" the first week or two, but that will pass. I never would have believed that my sugar cravings could be eliminated, but I don't crave it at all.
DH reversed his pre-diabetes diagnosis and lost a ton of weight. I went along for the ride and have lost about 65 pounds and kept it off. Hope you are pleasantly surprised with your results.

 

[aja8888]

Good luck Ed!

I am constantly on that path, but not nearly as much weight to lose (maybe 25 pounds). That will get me near my old long distance running weight. But the body is now 35 years older and has some metal parts (LOL).

You will be surprised what a positive change your blood work and well being that it will make once the weight is off.

Oh yeah, I gave up booze 10+ years ago. Don't miss it a bit. (maybe I am lucky?)

Also, I have been walking 10,000+ steps per day for nearly 2 years now. The only few days I missed is when I had my hip replacement last November. I missed two days (hospital) and started back up with a walker when I got home and built up to 10K steps in two weeks. Pushed myself pretty hard.

Keep us posted on your journey!

 

[mystang52]

Cutting things out is not the only change that everyone needs to consider with age.

Increasing physical activity is another.

No, we do not "deserve to slow down and take it easy" because we are older. Something may occur to force us to slow down, but until that happens, we need to stay active.

Or get active, if we weren't already.. It is plain that many of the patrons at my gym are only there because some doctor said "Exercise, or expire."

Walk. Everyday. At least an hour. With someone if you can. That's the best way to start.

I join others in wishing you success. I strongly agree with these 2 quoted replies that physical activity should be a "required" adjunct to your diet. I would add that the walking should be brisk (within your limits), and not a leisurely stroll. Find a nice park or other scenic area that will make the walk more enjoyable

 

[MRG]

Great! You will be rewarded. Back in 2015 I was obese and had tachycardia. My PCP suggested dropping weight, 70 pounds. He thought the tachycardia would disappear along with most of my other health problems. As usual he was right.

Someone on this forum suggested Myfitnesspal and it really helped me, my wife too. The app is great, allows you to scan your food in with barcodes. Of course I quickly learned food with barcodes wasn't what I wanted to eat. I ended up spending $12 on a food scale and just eating real food. No alcohol, sugars or other garbage. Food your great grandmother would recognize.

I wasn't prepared for what happened. My health improved, I started exercising and actually enjoying it! All my ailments went away! I went from 9 prescriptions monthly to 1! I began jogging and experienced a runner's high. [emoji4]

10/10 highly recommend. It took both DW and I to drop 120 combined pounds in 6 months. Once you start dropping it's amazing how much you can lose in a healthy manner. Of course it's not a race, go at your pace. Myfitnesspal has a great website and support system. Good luck to you.

 

[Hermit]

A friend lost over 100 lbs with weight watchers. It stayed off. Hope you find a successful approach too.

 

[Nemo2]

I began jogging and experienced a runner's high.

Wow...back when, I used to run 70 miles a week....the only runners hi I ever got was when someone running in the other direction said "Hello".

 

[aja8888]

Wow...back when, I used to run 70 miles a week....the only runners hi I ever got was when someone running in the other direction said "Hello".

There's nothing like running to melt the pounds off.

As far as runner highs, I don't recall anything significant. But when I was training for a Boston in 1979, I "hit the wall" one time at 21 miles out. Literally ran out of electrolyte. I never did run the Boston though.

 

[ckelly78z]

I can't really cut back on alcohol, I only have 2-3 drinks a week, I do eat too much sugar, but I am of normal weight, with no family history of diabetes, and pretty active.

I am making a conscious effort to walk, and bike ride more, and also have started paddle boarding with my DW. My 10 acre farm keeps me fairly busy, so no sitting around watching TV.

 

[Dreamer]

Good luck, Ed. I need to do a much better job with the exercise.

 

[harley]

Ed, I'm adding in another vote for intermittent fasting. The LCHF eating is largely responsible for our weight loss (60 lbs for DW, 40 lbs for me). But the IF is what has made a huge difference in our health. I was type II diabetic for 15 years, and thanks to IF I no longer have any signs of it. My last A1c was 4.9. DW had the first indications of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, now it's gone. We were losing the weight eating LCHF, but it wasn't until we added in IF that the health indications changed.

You're looking at a big change, so be patient. You'll make progress fast at first, but there will be times when nothing is changing. Stick with it. This isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change. And if you fall off the wagon, don't sweat it, just get back on. Good luck. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Thanks very much for all the support!
I left out some details.
I do walk 4 or 5 mornings a week with a friend at the mall for about 45 minutes. Have been for 3 years or so. (If I tried jogging, I would destroy my knees. Seriously.)
I am also trying intermittent fasting and one meal every day or two. It sounds like a very good idea. It is a lot easier without carbs. The tough part is having meals with the family.
Four years ago, because of age and weight, I got into a pre-diabetic educational class for a year and lost 45 lbs. Then we remodeled the main floor of the house and we were cooking in the bathroom on a hot plate for months. Much pizza. Weight returned.
My A1c and glucose are good but blood pressure is high-normal. My BMI says I am morbidly obese but I look pretty good. The bad news is I weigh as much as 2 normal men. The good news is that both of them are healthy---but one of them has to leave.
I quit smoking 50 years ago. If I could do that, I can do anything.

 

[Scuba]

Thanks very much for all the support!
I left out some details.
I do walk 4 or 5 mornings a week with a friend at the mall for about 45 minutes. Have been for 3 years or so. (If I tried jogging, I would destroy my knees. Seriously.)
I am also trying intermittent fasting and one meal every day or two. It sounds like a very good idea. It is a lot easier without carbs. The tough part is having meals with the family.
Four years ago, because of age and weight, I got into a pre-diabetic educational class for a year and lost 45 lbs. Then we remodeled the main floor of the house and we were cooking in the bathroom on a hot plate for months. Much pizza. Weight returned.
My A1c and glucose are good but blood pressure is high-normal. My BMI says I am morbidly obese but I look pretty good. The bad news is I weigh as much as 2 normal men. The good news is that both of them are healthy---but one of them has to leave.
I quit smoking 50 years ago. If I could do that, I can do anything.

Best wishes for success, Ed. I found success with Weight Watchers. I like that it is a very balanced plan, nothing is “off limits.” It’s very common sense to me. They advocate focusing on 3 areas - mindset, food, and activity. Also two books helped me a lot - Changepower is one and the other is The Diet Trap Solution.

At the end of the day, permanent weight loss requires a permanent lifestyle change. The benefits are so worth it!

 

[audreyh1]

Ed, I'm adding in another vote for intermittent fasting. The LCHF eating is largely responsible for our weight loss (60 lbs for DW, 40 lbs for me). But the IF is what has made a huge difference in our health. I was type II diabetic for 15 years, and thanks to IF I no longer have any signs of it. My last A1c was 4.9. DW had the first indications of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, now it's gone. We were losing the weight eating LCHF, but it wasn't until we added in IF that the health indications changed.

You're looking at a big change, so be patient. You'll make progress fast at first, but there will be times when nothing is changing. Stick with it. This isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change. And if you fall off the wagon, don't sweat it, just get back on. Good luck. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Wow, congrats again! Your last A1C was better than my last one which was 5.0, and I have never been even close to pre-diabetes! I did have an A1C of 4.7 when I was on the strictest 20-25g net carbs on my keto diet. I am still maintaining ketosis but no longer counting carbs.

 

[audreyh1]

Thanks very much for all the support!
I left out some details.
I do walk 4 or 5 mornings a week with a friend at the mall for about 45 minutes. Have been for 3 years or so. (If I tried jogging, I would destroy my knees. Seriously.)
I am also trying intermittent fasting and one meal every day or two. It sounds like a very good idea. It is a lot easier without carbs. The tough part is having meals with the family.
Four years ago, because of age and weight, I got into a pre-diabetic educational class for a year and lost 45 lbs. Then we remodeled the main floor of the house and we were cooking in the bathroom on a hot plate for months. Much pizza. Weight returned.
My A1c and glucose are good but blood pressure is high-normal. My BMI says I am morbidly obese but I look pretty good. The bad news is I weigh as much as 2 normal men. The good news is that both of them are healthy---but one of them has to leave.
I quit smoking 50 years ago. If I could do that, I can do anything.

Reducing carbs drastically will drop the blood pressure initially, then the weight loss will help keep it down if not drop it further.

I did not experience weight loss or blood numbers after doing IF for 6 months, but I did gain the benefit of my digestive system being settled during the nighttime, which is what I really wanted.

Drastically cutting carbs was what really made the magic happen for me. I went off IF at first while adjusting to the new way of eating.

I now tend to just eat two meals a day and limit late eating. Often skip breakfast or have it very late. I just feel better that way and go through long periods of not being hungry at all.

 

[LRDave]

Go get 'em, Ed!