raising my basal rate a little to lose weight

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Permalink Reply by Dana Harmon on January 11, 2009 at 7:18pm

I'm not on a pump yet, but my endo told me, when I was complaining of unexplained weight gain even though working out consistently, that the pump would help me because it would reduce the amount of insulin that I take. I'd eat to overcome a low bs and then it would go too high and I'd end up having to take a unit or two! The larger amounts of insulin helps pack the pounds on due to my yoyoing after a low.

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Permalink Reply by Debe on January 11, 2009 at 7:46pm

Dana, I hope that helps me to. I need to lose a good 25-30# I will no more on Jna 26, thats my next appointment
Hugs, debe

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Permalink Reply by John Sangdahl on January 11, 2009 at 8:53pm

I need to drop 18 lb. You can see from my picture that I don't look over weight but my BMI is too high.

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Permalink Reply by TQ on January 14, 2009 at 9:23pm

Hello,
I of course have a few pounds that I need to lose, but increasing my Basal rates can cause a vicious cycle of "feeding" your insulin. Try to set a temporary basal for a few hours after eating and while exercising. I gained quite a few pounds by working out, bottoming out at night and then having to eat a snack to overcome it. The way I work around that is if I am low at night, instead of eating a snack I eat 4 glucose tabs and then I set a 4 hour temp basal with a 25% reduction (i.e instead of 1.0 unit every hour, I'll take .75), this will prevent a low and prevent me from eating unnecessary calories to compesate for a low sugar. Also try suspending your pump during your workout and then recheck about 15-20 minutes after your workout. Another option is if you're losing weight, then maybe your caloric needs are reduced which might reduce your overall insulin requirements. Hope that helps!

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Permalink Reply by John Sangdahl on January 21, 2009 at 6:29pm

thanks TQ!!!

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Permalink Reply by John Sangdahl on January 22, 2009 at 6:04pm

Now that I have lowered my basal rate and started to workout hard I have more lows and HAVE TO EAT. I think I have to workout twice as hard as non diabetes. I am up to working out for 1hr 1/2 and burning over 1200 cal. 3 years ago I lost 20lb while I was training for a 1/2 marathon. I was running 5 to 6 during the week and 10 to 12 on the weekend. I am so tried of this diabetes thing.

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Permalink Reply by Hayaa on January 28, 2009 at 12:25am

Hi There ;

I am not on a pump but Humalog & Lantus but now Levemir.

I am going to the gym since 9 months in hope to loose weight ( BMI 29 ! ). Since I am going to the gym my HBA1C increased to a shocking 8.5 ! I am desperate as I really dont know how to coop my BG with my exercise.

I am testing before workout and sometimes I am on 200 ; if I start workout it drops within only 20-30 min to 90 ; if I inject more to avoid the 200 ; I end up streight in Hypo or need to eat.

Does anyone know how to manage this ?

Currently I am injecting
Basal ( Levemir ) 10 units morning / 10 units evening
Humalog 1 Unit per 10 Carbs / or to correct 30

I wake up with +/- 120 since I am injecting Levemir ( with Lantus I always had high BG in the mornings 220-280 )
I am injecting Humalog for my food / correction but sometimes face high BG after food.

During gym ; I hardly can start a workout under 200 / or without eating when I am on 150 ... as I end up in hypo.

My food is mainly based on Vegetables / Salad / Protein like chicken breast etc ... not more than 110- 150 carbs per day with less than 1100 Kcals.

My current BMI is 29 ( 80 kg / 165 cm ) and 34 % Fat ! I am going 6 days per week to the gym for min. 2 hours ( 45 min cardio / rest light weights )

I dont know what might be the reason for not loosing weight. It is so frustrating!

Pls advise

Hayaa

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Permalink Reply by John Sangdahl on February 1, 2009 at 5:16am

I have lost 13 since Jan 1. I hope to lose 15 more. I am doing a hour of hard cardo 5 days a week. I am combining biking with running on a treadmill. I don't want any over use injuries or I would be running 3 to 5 miles a day. I am also doing the wii fitness.

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Permalink Reply by Sweeter on February 1, 2009 at 5:24pm

I'm not on a pump but I've been wondering if my trying to deal with lows is making me eat more than I normally would. Lately i've been having several lows during the week. I had 3 in a 24-hr period recently. I find sometimes I have to eat to prevent having a low. I'm feeling a bit frustrated by this. I'm on 5/500 Glucovance 2x a day and 75/25 Humalog 2x a day.

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Permalink Reply by Spooky on February 8, 2009 at 6:15pm

I have been on the pump for 4 days and feel like all I do is take insulin. It's averaging out around 55 units a day but will be going up as my bg is running too high- basal rate is going to be adjusted up later tonight. My doctor said not to think about weight loss until my A1c is back to where it normally is. However, I have been eating so well and getting three days a week of moderate exercise and I GAINED 2 pounds and feel like a stuffed sausage in my clothes.

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Permalink Reply by John Sangdahl on February 8, 2009 at 6:26pm

55 units seem a little high. What are your basal rates? What is your total basal amount per day? Your Dr. is right in getting your amount right before you diet. What is causing you to eat? Low BG?

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Permalink Reply by Cathy on September 13, 2009 at 3:18pm

Yeah I hear ya. I have been pumping 4 months and have been gaining. I was taking about 200 units of insulin though in my pump. They had to switch me to u500 so that I was not taking so much. I know that sausage feeling well. The harder I try the more I gain. I feel like saying forget and just get plump. LOL OR plumper rather. hehe I am not to bad now but it does not take much does it?

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