BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 09:24 AM

Blood sugar was 111 Mg/dL this morning. The doc will be pleased. It's been as high as 162 and as low as 71, and I wasn't pleased!

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 06:22 AM

Now then - here's a thing. My weight was 222lb (I'll use lbs because us Brits can divide by 14 but I'm not sure about you yanks :-P ) This is pretty damned high because I am 5' 5" (Where d'ya think the gnome bit comes from?) and should be around 150. So 72lb to loose - Hell of a lot init! Anyway, back to the story. After the 6 or 7 weeks I was on a healthy lifestyle I went down to 205 - Great. Only 55lb to go (Bloody hell - Thats a 1/2 cwt!!!) I only weigh myself once a week btw - Sunday or Monday morning after my shower and when my eyes are working well enough to see the scales...

Last Sunday after 4 days of slipping into bad ways I was 210. Carried on with the bad ways till Friday and am now on day 3 of good stuff again. Weighed myself this morning and was 206:-) You know the old diet thing - If it goes off quickly it will come back on just as quick? Well, does this show that the reverse applies? If it goes on quickly it falls off again? Hmmm. Anyroads - another surprise.

Excercise. I thought I would go for a 10 minute jog(ish) this morning with a 15 minute walk back. Boy, am I glad I didn't! It was peeing down so I thought sod this for a game of soldiers. Excercise bike will do. Remember that 2 weeks ago I could cycle quite happily for 30 minutes either on the road or on the static one. When on the excercise one I can clock my heartrate as well and after 30 minutes of 20+mph I was rarely above 135bpm. This morning I was knackered after 10 minutes doing around 18mph and my heart was up to 160! Just shows how quickly you can loose that side of it as well - hopefully it will only take a couple of weeks to get back to before.

Just thought I'd let you know.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 02:56 AM

My acupuncturist recommends five small meals per day of one half cup carbs each meal, in the way of pasta al dente, old-fashioned oatmeal, or brown rice with as much whole veggies and/or fruits as will fill one up. Low-fat protein is also included, esp. soy products (Boca Burgers, etc.), fish, and skinless chicken. Also, LOTS of water. This helps keep the blood sugar and hormones balanced. It is a great way to lose weight, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 10:42 PM

I've been diagnosed (in early February) as insulin resistant. So now I "prick my thumbs" twice a day (sometime thrice), try to eat no more than 45 grams of carbohydrates per meal (not difficult), and eat lean meats sparingly (serving no larger than the palm of my hand -- and about as thick). Alcohol is small amounts (no more than 2 beers per day). And exercise.

Damn, I used to get exercise jumping to conclusions and running off at the mouth. Now I have to walk and stuff.

But I've lost about 20 pounds so far and I feel much better -- livelier, more alert.

Yeah, I've fallen off the wagon at times. But you can do it. Just get back on board and don't flog yourself because you're human.

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Joybell
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 10:02 PM

True-love is a type 2 diabetic who has the whole thing under great control. The most obvious symptom he had before he was diagnosed was lethargy. He has never been overweight and actually prefers a low GI diet. Adding an excercise program and eliminating a very few things from his diet was all he needed to do.
It's not so easy for most of us but it seems the way to go even for non-diabetics.
The latest research shows that type 2 diabetes occurs in people with a genetic predisposition, so that a poor diet is not a cause, but is probably a factor in determining how soon you develop it. That is if you have the right (or wrong depending on how you view it) set of genes.
Having said that, I think we can all benefit from the experience of diabetics. Low GI diet, regular exercise.
Good luck Dave. You've already shown you can do it. Forgive yourself for the small lapse. Every time I have a fall like that I can't believe I did it either. Cheers Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 06:42 PM

I am also diabetic. I find that I feel my very best when I have a well rounded diet and am somewhat active. As for why it is you feel so yuck after a bout of drinking...well...I can only answer as to how my own body would react. I'd feel like crap from drinking. It would take my body a day or two to readjust to the proper levels (insulin)unless I counter attack the effects by altering my insulin intake. I do NOT suggest this unless you are EXTREMELY aware of how YOUR body reacts to YOUR prescribed insulin intake. I don't know that going out once and drinking should really effect your routine of EXCELLENT habits (KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!). Don't despair...it's actually GOOD for you to take a break occassionally as long as it's just a break.

Feel better, keep it moderate and you'll be just fine!   :)

Michelle

PS. Careful on the excess alcohol as it actually LOWERS your blood sugar. This can be really dangerous as you may feel and appear drunk (to yourself and others) but it could be that your sugar levels are bottoming out. So, if you were to pass out, it would be hard for others to know that you need medical assistance for low blood sugar. Weird....I had always thought that alcohol contained so much sugar that the glucose levels would rise...I was incredibly wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 06:26 PM

Wow! What a super response, Dewey. It confirms what I thought about many of the diets as well. How can anything that relies too heavily on the inclusion or exclusion of a major food group be good? I had sort of worked out a lot of it from my knowledge of diabetes. I coupled that with an interest in nutrition and health and it's nice to know that my conclusions seem to be correct!

Now then, do you reckon we can make a fortune on a DeweyGnomish diet book? After all a brisk walk followed by a lean ham sandwich on wholemeal and a half of real ale sounds far more appetising than a diet bar :-)

Cheers and agreements on the good luck to us both!

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Dewey
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 05:11 PM

Insulin is regulated by a variety of factors in the Body. Alcohol is not a positive one,it stimulates the body to produce excess insulin, insulin combines with sugar to produce energy, It not burned up, it turns to fat. Avoiding simple carbohydrates (i.e. sugar and alcohol) regulate normal blood sugar levels. you are REALLY STRESSING OUT your pancreas if you consume too much sugar or alcohol is one sitting, This could lead to diabetes if you are not careful.

As For Maintaining Weight:Stay Away From White Refined Breads, i.e. Whitebread, Donuts, Bagels Etc. (use them sparingly in moderation)

Contrary to the fradulant irresponsible Fad Diets (Like Aktins For Example) Complex Carbohydrates Are Good For You, And are necessary to Fuel Your Body.(i.e. you body must have some fuel to function)

As long as the Complex Carbs are used, you should have no problem regualting your bloodsugar. Complex carbs enter the bloodstream slower than simple sugar, they also have the added benefit of fiber which is also good for the health of the internal organs of the body, and thus the blood sugar is not spiked like it is with simple carbohydrates. Complex Carbs provide the proper balance of energy for the activities we do during the day. The Carbohydrate is not stored as Fat if exercise is combined, becasue the body needs and uses the energy that it gets from these sources.

Complex Carbs are those like Cracked Wheat Bread, Brown Rice (not white as it doesn't have the shell) Beans of All Kinds, Legumes, Lentils etc. Add some extra fiber and have some vegetables. You body will be cleaner inside and out than it you fill it up with EXCESSIVE amounts of meats, dairy and oils.

Too Much Intake of Fat and Simple Carbohydrates lead to the Following Conditions: Obesity, Diabetes.

TOO MUCH Fat Oils and Meat especially leads to colon and various other cancers, constipation, type 2 diabetes, early aging, brain disfuntion, kidney stones, bad breath, skin problems etc.

When You eliminate the processed food of mankind and the oils in them, AND EXERCISE, you increase insulin senstivity. Insulin sensitivity is the results of clean blood, with limited levels of sugars entering the bloodstream, exercise provides the oxygen necessary to breakdown these sugars and turn the into energy, When You exercise, because your nutrition was balanced, you use up the excess energy which likewise cannot be turned into fat and stored on your body (love handles, buttocks etc.) The bloodstream is being cleansed by diatray fiber that protects the integraty of the vessels.
Missing when you consume Porter House Steaks and Other Oils (used in irresponsible amount on the Atkins Diet.

Please remember too if you consume too much meat and oils, that those fat lipids enter into your bloodstream, and must be broken down by your liver, and it takes many hours to do this. If you are on the Atkins Diet, they may never get broken down as there is a constant stream of new fat entering the bloodstream.

This Fat leads to insulin insensitivity; and, if combined with a poor and constant fat based diet (and no execise) and no exercise will lead to weight gain.

Also remember with you simple sugars and fat, you are creating a calorie cocktail. In sugars there are 4 calories per gram, and in Fat There are a whopping 9 calories of fat per gram. If you eat an Apple Pie For example at one sitting and Done execise, you will most definitely not be able to use the energy up and it will thus be stored as fat.

This is why the MacDonald menu has been so criticized in times past. They Supersize Everything. A Large Sugarly Coke the Size of a Jug (to Spike your sugar), A Greasy Doubble Hamburger With All the Dressing (and White Bread to Spike You Sugar), Combined with a Supersized Order of Fries (to Spike Your Sugar). Not to Mention the Calorie Content which is probably somewhere upward to 1400 Calories. Beinging
In these as well as alcohol will most certainly effect you heart, bloodpressure and organs of the long term.

Also Just As Unhealthy is the foolish Atkins craze, Which Tells People they don't need any energy sources for the day, but relies on toxic ketones to burn up the excess fat stored on our sides. Sure you'll lose weight but at a cost to your health and well being.

Of course people love this diet because it tells them they don't need to eat heatlhy and can have all the steaks they could ever desire, irreguardless of the circumstance to the bodies. There is more to weight loss than just losing weight. There is also for example the issues of diet, nutrition and execise, All of which are important on a true weight loss program over the long term.

I have diabetes, ande have to have Carbohydrates, and the only wayh I was able to use weigh (this needing to take insulin and carbohydrates into my body) was to eat right and execise.

I did lose the weight, plus my insulin intake went down as well as my blood pressure, heart rate etc, even digestion improved, no constipation, stomach indigestion etc.

Contraguations on using the common sense, we all stray from this path on occasion. But Healthy eating and exercise are the key.

Not reducing your carbohydrate exclusively and falling for the fade diets, which make millions off of people while at the same time killing there bodies.

Find someone spiritual and likeminded to your goals and get back on the path, even if you fall at times.

I know as I am was and am a hypocrite, I still eat this crap too often, and sit around, yet I know that there is a price for my doing so, Anyway back to the treadmill and the produce department is a good one.

Good Luck to You and Me Both, as in this fast paced world we all sometimes get a bit off course in taking care of our health.

Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 01:57 PM

Thanks Peg - Sorry to hear about your troubles in the other thread so an extra special thanks it is:-)

Aye 1 drink a day indeed. I was keeping well under the prescribed limit for driving (35 whatever they ares of alcohol - 3.5 units) about 2 or 3 times a week. Then, on that first night of the course, 22 units! No wonder I was ill...

Hope you are recovered from your Hiatus soon! I still listen to the CD you sent:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Peg
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 12:10 PM

Congrats on the weight loss and healthy habits Dave!

Alcohol is indeed very much connected to blood sugar levels. I have done a fair amount of reading on it and in more than one place have read that one of the most common forms/causes of alcoholism is hypoglycemics (i.e. people with low blood sugar) who "self-medicate" with alcohol! These are folks who take in a steady supply of alcohol in the evening, usually don't eat breakfast, etc.

My mom, brother and niece are all Type 1 diabetics--niece diagnosed at 11, Mom and bro at 35! No other Type 1 diabetes in my family though. My dad, I think, has the above-mentioned low blood sugar--alcohol problem. I myself am hypoglycemic and have to watch my alcohol intake, in addition to avoiding too much sugary stuff, and caffeine-containing drinks (which also cause blood sugar crash). I can have a treat or dessert if I have had enough protein beforehand though...

You can probably have a drink now and then but make sure you're eating properly and keeping with your exercise--sounds liek the extreme change in habits caused the slump. One drink a day is meant to be good for you!

Subject: BS: Talk about body sugar levels anyone?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 11:19 AM

Bit odd I know but as I know that 'catters will talk about most things, why not;-)

Since the end of June I have been very well behaved in the nutrition department. I admit that a bit (well, OK, a lot) of weight loss may be the goal but I realised ages ago that diets don't work. You are either on them, losing, or off them and gaining. No, thinks I, the way forward is to eat and excercise properly and keep the booze down to sensible levels.

Brilliant and easy and works! Not only did I start to loose a bit of weight, 16-17lbs in 6-7 weeks, but I was lively, full of energy, doing more work than ever, sleeping well etc. I was up to 30 minutes cycling twice a week. 10 minute jog with a 15 minute walk back twice a week, Tai Chi form every morning and stated Eskrima (Philipno martial art) once a week.

Then bang! I went on a course 10 days ago and got well ratted (on expenses - what do you expect!) on the first night. It has taken me 10 days to recover!!! I have bene drinking every night. Eating the wrong stuff. Doing no excercise etc. I have been listless, had no energy and felt completely drained and depressed. I gained about 6lbs.

I thought at first I had a virus and then realised not! I am convinced that if I screw up my bodies blood sugar levels to the extent I did it does indeed take some getting back from. I am now at the end of my second day of being sensible again and am starting to feel great:-) Going off for my first fast slouch (You can't call what I do a jog) tomorrow and am realy looking forward to getting up in the morning!

Anyone any views (or even facts!) Is it blood sugar related do you think? Or was it just the booze? Answers on a postcard please...

Cheers

DtG
(PS Son number 1 is type 1 diabetic. Sister in Law is type 2. I know a bit about these things!)