Day 11 on Phase 1 with Type 2 Diabetes

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Day 11 on Phase 1 with Type 2 Diabetes
24
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 3:13pm

This is Day 11 on the South Beach for me. As I promised my Doctor, I have been monitoring my Glucose numbers very closely. I started with a weight of 242 Lbs. I have lost 8 lbs in the first 8 days. I now refuse to weigh myself until Sunday, which will be the end of two weeks on Phase 1.

OK, here is my question, and I know its probably been asked before. As I have read many posts in this forum, I see where Dr. Agatston, is quoted as saying if you have more than 100 lbs to lose, it is ok to stay on Phase One slightly longer. If I go by the weight charts I have found on line, and the weight the Diabetic nurse has told me I should weigh, I should be about 165 lbs for my height. This is an ideal weight which does not take into consideration that I am muscular and large boned. I was told I could add 10% for being large boned, and another 10% for muscularity. Of course I think the issues of adding extra percentages for this and that just confuses the issue. At least it does for me.

What I would like to know is, will it be ok for me to stay on Phase 1 for another week?

Will one more week on Phase 1 help normalize my sugar even more or have I done all I can with that in the 2 weeks I will have been on Phase 1?

Is there anyway for me to get this question to Dr. Agatston directly, or can someone who has access to him possibly ask these questions for me?

My purpose is first and foremost, the normalizing of my sugar or Glucose. My Doctor has agreed, to take me off my Metformin for two weeks, and give me a more conclusive Fasting Glucose test, then just the A1C. My glucose testing numbers have been consistently under 130 with a few exceptions. My lowest has been 108.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks
Jason




Edited 2/27/2008 6:17 pm ET by fatboyinil

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 5:16pm

Jason,


I think you need to move into phase 2 after 2 weeks.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-19-2002
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 5:42pm

Hi Jason,


I agree with Cathy.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 7:03pm

ci-cathy205 wrote"

"Jason,

I think you need to move into phase 2 after 2 weeks. First and foremost Dr. A recommends that diabetics start in phase 2. There is no way he would suggest that you stay in phase 1 for an additional week. If you're going to make South Beach work you need to feed your body the nutrients it needs. This is a life-long commitment, not a quick fix. Whole grains and fruit are part of a healthy way of life. If you've read through the "Getting Started" section you'll see lots of important information about why it's important to move on to phase 2 on time."

Cathy, while I appreciate your response, there are a few things I am taking issue with. While I have read a few quotes in regard to what Dr. Agatston suggests, I have seen nothing in the book or on any other website in regard to diabetics, that says that all diabetics should start in Phase 2. I am sorry to say, I find no absolutes. At this time I think its also important to point out that there are different types of Diabetics. This is something you probably already know. I am sure that Dr. Agatston knows it, and I would think he would look at each case individually.

I am not taking insulin. I am a type 2 diabetic, or maybe even pre-diabetic. I did not make the decision to start in Phase 1 on my own. I consulted my Doctor who was in agreement that it was ok as long as I monitored and tested my Glucose numbers closely. I am testing 4 times a day. All my numbers are in normal range. So it appears Phase 1 is totally safe for me. I have never suggested to others who are Diabetic to start this or any other diet without consulting their own Physician. I also have never advocated any Diabetic starting in Phase One as I have. As far as what Dr. Agatston would recommend for me, no one would really know but the good Doctor himself. Now I really hope this puts this issue to rest.

I also really resent the implication that you believe I think the South Beach is a quick fix. This is not the first time I have been on the South Beach. Unfortunately I fell off by my own admission. I freely admitted this in the first posts I have made since I have returned to this chat board. If you have read my very early posts, you would see where I stated that I understood this was a lifestyle change.

There is one more thing that bothers me. It seems that since I have returned to this chat board, I have noticed, where there seems there have been many variations adapted to the South Beach that have been deemed OK. Please understand, that since I have not noticed some of these variations in the original book written by Dr. Agatston, I am going to look at each and every one of them with a skeptical eye. I am not trying to be difficult here, I am only attempting to follow the South Beach as closely so I can achieve the maximum results.

By the way, I am also 3 days without a cigarette.

In closing,

Cathy, I know you are trying to be very helpful. While I do not know what your intent was, I feel that some of your statements to me were almost condescending. I also want you know, that Miranda and I read all the time. We are both very educated, and do not just accept things blindly. I was raised to research and question. Miranda was taught similar habits by life, and her education in the scientific world. Even so, neither of us will ever assume we know all the answers. That is why we continuously research and question, until we feel comfortable with the answers we find. Then and only then, do we make our decisions. When we make those decisions, they are educated ones.

Thanks
Jason




Edited 2/27/2008 11:04 pm ET by fatboyinil
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 7:22pm

Thanks for your reply Maggie. I will do some more reading and investigation. I am just trying to get my sugar as normalized as I can. I go to see my Doctor on March 4th, and he is going to take me off of the Metformin for two weeks so it clears my system and retest me with a fasting Glucose Tolerance Test. That way we will know more conclusively if I am really Diabetic or if I just skewed my previous testing because of very poor eating habits.

I am taking this pretty seriously. I have made sure that I have cut out all sugars possible. I am dropping weight because I am eating more healthy. I have added exercise. I have quit smoking in the last 3 days. The majority of my glucose readings with a few exceptions are all under 130 with most in the 120s or lower. My lowest being yesterday at 108. I test 4 times a day. I hope to lower my triglycerides again, as I did when I was last on the South Beach. While I probably am in some form of denial, I know there is a possibility that if I stick to the South Beach, I may be able to come off any and all medication related to diabetes, bring my glucose and triglyceride levels down to the normal range, and have the opportunity, to greatly impact and control my health issues with a healthy eating lifestyle.

Sorry for my rant.

Jason

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2007
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 7:50pm

You know this is really none of my business, but I felt compelled to reply.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 8:46pm

Jason,


I'm sorry that you thought my response was condescending.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 9:19pm

Crystal, I certainly understand how you feel, and Cathy certainly does all those things, and is a wonderful CL. However, none of that has anything to do with what my post said.

I was very clear and concise concerning the questions I put in my original post.

At this point, I certainly do not feel that I should have been told and reminded once again that anyone with Diabetes should not be starting in Phase One. Certainly in my case that has already been established as a moot point.

I also do not think that is should have been inferred that I was taking the South Beach Diet as a quick fix instead of a lifestyle change.

Without taking anything else out of context, my comments were only related to the one post I referenced in my response.

Thanks
Jason

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Wed, 02-27-2008 - 9:33pm

Cathy wrote,

"Jason,

I'm sorry that you thought my response was condescending. That wasn't my intention at all. I am not a doctor and I get the information that I provide from the nutritionists on the official South Beach online site. I think you need to work closely with your doctor to answer the questions you've asked here."

Cathy, I am sure that it was not your intention. I was just letting you know how I felt after reading it. Keep in mind, it was not the first post where I have been told that Diabetics should not start the South Beach Diet in Phase One. In my case, it is certainly a moot point. I also wanted you to clearly understand how serious I am taking improving my health and diet so maybe you can understand why I took a slight offense to your sentence where you mentioned the South Beach was not a quick fix.

Jason

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Thu, 02-28-2008 - 8:51am

I just wanted to add a copy of this post, I found in this forum related to type 2 Diabetics.

Member Question: I am a diabetic. How will the diet affect my blood sugar? Is Phase 1 OK for people who have type 2 diabetes?

Dr. Agatston: The diet was really developed to reverse pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. In the vast majority of patients with type 2 diabetes there is "insulin resistance," which occurs when fat cells in the belly grow to a size too large for insulin to attach properly, making it difficult for sugars and fats to clear properly after a meal. This results in wild swings in blood sugar and consequent cravings. An illustration of this phenomenon was described in the documentary Super-Size Me, where after eating fast food for three weeks, the documenter develops insatiable cravings due to the development of insulin resistance. By following The South Beach Diet™, insulin resistance and its associated cravings can be reversed and bellies will dramatically melt away. One note of caution, however, is if you are taking blood-sugar-lowering medications or insulin. Then The South Beach Diet™, especially Phase 1, should be started in consultation with your physician. This is because medication levels may need to be adjusted.

Seems like I have followed what was suggested by Dr. Agatston.

Jason

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2006
Thu, 02-28-2008 - 8:57am

I'm sorry, but I still don't see in there where it is suggested to extend phase 1 for anyone - even diabetics. That was your question. EXTENDING phase one - as you said doing phase 1 is moot because you've already done that.

















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