Losing weight on Metformin

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Patricia Griffith on May 22, 2009 at 3:20pm

Andy, I so admire your motivation. It would be wonderful if we could all be as passionate about exercising as you are! I have retrieved my exercise bicycle from the basement and I've used it twice this week, will use it tonight, but I'm nowhere close to your time. The first night I only did 10 minutes. But I haven't exercised in many years, so I feel like I must take it slow. I do feel a little better motivated because I went to the doctor yesterday and I had lost 5 pounds in 4 weeks, and have actually lost 14 pounds since the beginning of the year. It's slow, but that's encouraging. Thanks for keeping in touch!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andy on May 22, 2009 at 10:28pm

Mega brilliant. You have surprised me by actually doing it. I am so used to people saying one thing and then not actually following through. Well done you.
Totally agree on starting slowly. This is not a race. It is a life change for you so you must build up to what is comfortable and healthy. There is no point in killing yourself by cycling hard and then being unable to walk for days or worse.
As other people on here have said, slow weight loss is better in many ways as it is easier to keep off.
When you ride, are you listening to music or the radio ? The reason I ask is I find music a fantastic motivator but also a brilliant distraction.
When we exercise a drug is released in our brains called endorphins. They are very powerful and resemble opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being. Endorphins work as natural pain relievers.
Another thought is how about keeping an exercise log to record what you do and when you do it. Managing time to exercise can be tricky and some people find it easier to say "Oh, I'll do that tomorrow" but for them tomorrow never comes.
I am really happy that you have actually got going. Well done you.

One final thing - I am not really motivated, I am just crazy for riding so much :-)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patricia Griffith on May 23, 2009 at 4:36am

I have the bike set up in a small TV room, so I watch TV while I'm riding it. That absolutely helps pass the time. And I have a computer program called Nutribase that tracks everything....weight, intake, % fat, calories, protein, blood sugar, and it also tracks exercise. It's very time consuming to keep it current, but it helps keep me focused.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andy on May 23, 2009 at 5:08am

Excellent. That sounds like you are all sorted. Wait until you start to see the results then that will increase your motivation maybe.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anthony Holko on May 23, 2009 at 11:53am

Wow that is really good news.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gerriann Tobkin on May 22, 2009 at 9:02pm

Pat, you may want to consider watching everything... carbs, fat (type and amount), calories and fiber. This may seem a bit excessive right now, but you won't have to do it for very long and you may see some trends that might help you figure out what is happening... especially if you keep a food diary and track all the carbs, fat, calories and fiber. You may find you are eating low carbs and calories and sabotaging the weight loss with high fat.
Regarding red meat...pre D, I would eat a whole steak, now I eat 1/3 of my husband''s. It is very difficult to lose weight if red meat is proment in your diet. Try to have fish three or four times per week (I cook it on the grill). When I buy the fish, I make sure it is large enough to have some left over. It is great the next day made into a salad. Additionally, I know what a pain it can be to cook, however, the less processed food you eat, the quicker your weight should drop.
Finally, I have an exercise bike and hate it. I much prefer to walk or ride my real bike. If I have to ride the exercise bike, I'll put music on (loud), read or watch TV while on it...makes it much more bearable. Now some people will tell you that you aren't getting a great workout if you aren't completely focused on the burn...don't listen to them! Once you get a regular exercise routine going, I promise...you will become addicted and the intensity will naturally increase. You really want to squeeze in some exercise every day.

I don't know if any of this will help...it has worked for me. I was dx on April 1st...had about 40 lbs to drop and I have already lost 20 .Don't despair, it will get better. My thoughts are with you and I am cheering for you!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andy on May 23, 2009 at 12:16pm

Gerriann, if I'd read this properly then half of my questions would have been unnecessary. Doh !!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peter on May 22, 2009 at 9:50pm

Let's face facts! If you count your carbs 15g of carb = 1 carb. In general Women 3-4(45-60g of carb) Men 4-5(60-75g of carbs) per meal 3x daily and 2-3 snacks of 1-2 carbs(15-30g of carbs) most people will be able to lose weight this way. Also, it is a good idea to record what you eat daily and count the carbs and calories too. If you have the advantage of getting metformin most likely it will aid you to lose more than you would without it. I don't know of anyone who has gained weight with metformin. but as with any medicine diet and exercise are part of the program. There are chair exercises, that can help people who have trouble walking or riding the exercise bike(like myself). There is a PBS show that teaches these exercises. If all you exercise is upperbody, that is better than no exercise. I have been thinking of trying my exercise videos and adapt them to a stationary sitting position. "Steady plodding leads to prosperity" Start small and stick with it and you will see results. And remember as long as your are not gaining you are winning the battle. If your insulin is too high you can't lose weight, if your sugar is too high you can't lose weight.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Charmsy on July 18, 2009 at 7:18pm

Hi Patricia,
I was diagnosed in Nov. 2008, I was put on Metformin 500 mg 2x/day as well but it made me gained weight actually. I think it could have different effects on different people but don't be discouraged! :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patricia Griffith on July 19, 2009 at 4:12am

Thanks for your reply. Since I posted this a couple of months ago, I've actually been able to lose 24 pounds! It was just very slow going at first, but then did finally start working.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MomsL8 on July 19, 2009 at 6:55am

Hey Patricia - I'm coming into this discussion late in the game, but I wanted to tell you that I experienced the same thing, plus my a1c didn't budge.

I had become so insulin resistant from yo-yo dieting and getting off track in my management that I went on Byetta. My doc wanted to try me on that first before starting insulin because I am so highly insulin resistant.

It worked - and it worked wonders. I lived for so many years frustrated by the fact that I was doing everything right, and nothing was changing.

It's difficult to lose weight when you are so insulin resistant. And you are so insulin resistant when you are so overweight - vicious circle.

I've lost 20 lbs since January 1 when I first began the Byetta.

It's so individual that each person's Diabetes reacts differently to some type of treatment.

But I know how you feel, and I know what you're going through. I hope you have found relief or some treatment that works and makes you feel better!

Jill

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patricia Griffith on July 19, 2009 at 9:08am

I've never talked to my doctor about adding Byetta to my medications, but I doubt if she would, because my bg numbers are very well controlled now with just the 500 mg of Metformin two times a day. My A1C went from 7.4 in May at time of diagnosis, to 6.6 just about 6 weeks later, after I had lost some weight and was taking the Metformin. I'm pleased that at least I am losing weight. I'm not doing any type of exercise but am planning on adding some, hopefully that will help.

Your comment about each person's Diabetes reacts differently to some type of treatment is so true. One thing I've learned for sure since my diagnosis is that all diabetics are so different. What works for one may not work for another. It's such a learning experience!

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last