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How to lose weight with Type 1 diabetes

My daughter has had diabetes for 10 years and has experienced significant weight gain.  She has tried over the years to lose with diet and exercise but to no avail.  She has recently done Weight Watchers for one month and followed it religiously.  She lost practically no weight.  She also exercise at least five times a week for an hour and a half.  She is very frustrated and I don't have any answers.  Unfortunately, her doctors over the years don't seem to be able to help.  Should we be looking at type of insulin?  She presently talkes Lantus and Humalog.  Does high protein help?  Her weight is in her back across her shoulders, in her middle and thighs.  She usually injects in her stomach and sometimes her thighs.  Does site matter?  Any suggestions would be so appreciated.  Thank you.
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Avatar universal
THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!  "Work out like a crazy person, drink water, and for the love of god stay away from carbs!"  I want to put that on a bumper sticker or tattoo that on my arm.  I love this blog because everyone is having the same problems I am.  I thought I was suffering alone with weight I can't get rid of.  Thank you to everyone
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Try to get a pump, especially if you are a Type 1. (I am a Type 1 Diabetic.) I don't know why this is not currently the standard for anyone who takes insulin as it makes a big difference and is the most effective treatment for stabilizing blood sugars.  If your insurance denies you the benefit of this after your endo prescribes on.then be sure to APPEAL their decision - they are making a monetary decision and probably are hoping you won't appeal.  For those who don't they end up spending less money.  But DO APPEAL, you've paid for that insurance and you have a right to optimal treatment for this illness, how dare they deny you what your doctor thinks is best for you.  See an endocrinologist and keep a record of your blood sugars and fight them, if you have erratic blood sugars and are a Type 1 the insurance denial is just offensive. Appeal Appeal Appeal.

There is nothing more predictable and controllable than a pump at least in my experience as a Type 1, and it is easily navlgable once you have your ratios established.  You key in your carbs, and it calculates your insulin for you.  You can program it to give you 50 percent immediately and then 50 percent a half-hour later.  There are so many options for you with a pump.  You have your basal programmed for maintenance, and your bolus, and you will be amazed at the difference in its performance over Lantus and Humalog injections.  

It makes a big difference and helps to stablilize your blood sugars.

Watch your carbs.  Lo-carb diets are going to require less insulin.  Of course eat some carbs, but not in excess.  There are plenty of tasty low-carb meals out there, plenty of flours as well to take the place of wheat flours - start doing research on the net if you haven't yet.

In addition, Metformin, normally taken by Type 2 diabetics, is useful in helping Type 1s with insulin resistance.  Although I'm a Type 1 and on the pump I am also taking Metformin to help with insulin absorption.  I take the Extended Release Metformin in the evening to help with my meals the following day.

And you really do need so see an endocrinologist.  As part of healthcare reform, you should be able to see a nutritionist with no co-pay since this is the preventive care that has kicked in for anyone who is insured.  

Next year will be even better.  No one with a pre-existing condition will be turned down for insurance. I'm so glad we are making inroads to affordable care for people like us.  I'm sure that many of you have dealt in the past with paying into plans and waiting a year before your prescriptions even get covered due to your "pre-existing" condition - I know I have had to deal with this.  Please support healthcare reform not just for yourself as an insured but for all of those who don't yet have any, like my friend who is a part-time nurse and isn't insured yet.  And see a nutritionist if you are currently insured - again, this is part of the preventative medicine that has no co-pay.

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Avatar universal
Insulin results in weight gain. However, if you cut back on insulin dose then your average blood sugar levels will rise, resulting in all the nasty complications that come from diabetes.

The only solution is to cut back on carbohydrates in the diet, which allows you to reduce insulin intake. Exercise is important, but don't think about it in terms of doing X amount of work to lose Y pounds of fat. The main benefit of exercise for diabetics is that it improves insulin sensitivity, which allows you to safely reduce your insulin intake.

Note: if your average blood sugar levels are too high (Hba1c, as measured by your Dr) then you must take more insulin. The long-term side effects of high blood sugar are *worse* than those from being over weight.

Probably one of the best presentations on this is available here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpllomiDMX0
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Avatar universal
I have had type 1 diabetes since I was 11.  I am now 31.  I have injected myself in the thighs and stomach always, but I don't think this effects where she, or I gain weight.  I have always had issues with weight loss, but I was able to achieve this with a low-fat and low-carb diet mixed with cardio and weight training.  I actually lost over 50lbs doing this and was in great shape.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to maintain this completely because of scheduling changes, but it's a great way to stay healthy, keep my sugars under control, and stay fit.  Good luck!!
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10846358 tn?1413250020
Well, congrats on the better control of your DM. Unfortunately it sounds like the pump did most of the heavy lifting, which means your diet probably didn't change very much. One of the major side effects of insulin is weight gain, because it moves the sugar from your blood into your cells. Your cells get the sugar, and if they need to metabolize it, they will. But most of the time, they end up converting it to fat because there is too much glucose available.

You count carbs and then provide enough insulin to cover what you're about to eat, right? The diabetic weight loss diet is just like any other, you have to eat less. In your case you will need some carbohydrate, but it isn't like you need to pile on rice, bread, and potatoes at every meal. You need to start working with a dietitian to massively improve the quality and variety of your diet. You'll also need to work with your medical team to learn how to better manage your insulin so that you don't run low.- because cutting calories will inevitably mean reducing carbs from your diet - not all, but some.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for all the input.  I am a 64 yr. Old female with t1 for fhe past 30
Years.  A1c of 7.1 to 7.3.  But weight is harder to get off these days.  But I do know
That the more insulin I take, the more weight I will gain.  Im taking lantus  which I love and novolog for quick acting.  Can anyone give me feedback on levimere
Im not sure of spelling.  I feel like lantus cuts out too early and then sugar goes up and I start the hunger and blood sugar swings all over again.    Thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My story is a little wild. I studied and graduated with a degree in Nutritional Science 18 years ago. A year later my 12 month old baby boy was diagnosed with Type 1. I adjusted perfectly because of my background and today he is a thriving, happy, and healthy  17 years old athlete that truly is
an amazing kid.

Over the last 16 years I became a diabetes educator, an insulin pump trainer, and have a wealth of personal knowledge through my son and through the 1000's of patients I've treated

Im 41, have 5 young kids, maintained my weight since my 20's and can honestly say Im in better shape today then ever even with a slow thyroid without any crazy fanatical diets ,,,,and here's the KICKER!!!..I was just diagnosed with TYPE 1 myself a month ago. I am very in tune with my body and  knew I had it immediately.

And in a sick crazy way kind of way, I giggled, smiled, bc I look at it as a challenge. Time for me to really practice what I preach. Now I can be the BEST Kind of Diabetes Educator.

Within 1 day, I had my sugars from 300-400 (A1C was 8.4 btw),down to low 100's. I  have figured out my insulin to carb ratio and correction factor, through trial and error. (but haven't had to use it) . I presently keep insane notes and journal my food intake.

Now my big test is to see if I can maintain my weight (125). Ill need a good 6 months to be able to give any good sound healthy advice. Wish me LUCK!
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Avatar universal
Please get your eyes examined for glaucoma regularly even if you don't have the insurance to cover it.  It is essential to have your eyes checked.  I am a Type 1 who was recently diagnosed with glaucoma and I take eyedrops religiously each evening before bed-time. You've got to stay on top of it.  My older brother - also a type 1 - became legally blind but his eye problems were from broken capillaries, he did not really take good care of himself and was very flippant about staying on top of things.  Be vigilant about your eyes.  See a professional and get them checked regularly.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello magkenmare, I too have type 1 diabetes and have had it for nine years. I have also had a lot of trouble trying to lose weight because I have gained a little weight an it is hard.I am 19 years old and i do exercise 5 times a week ( about 8 hours a ;karate, swimming, and biking to school). I find it really hard to lose weight in my middle section as well as your daughter. I have lost some weight but then I get hungrier and then gain it back. I too inject in my stomach and my thighs which are my two body areas in which i carry more weight. I eat pretty healthy, I include my fruits and veggies.I use novolog and lantus. I am sorry i could not answer your question but i hope th information i gave u can help to fingure ou something to help out your daughter and I wish you  and your daughter the best of luck because this issue is very frustrating and depressing as well.
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Avatar universal
I have been a diabetic for 26 years, since age 9 and I was on insulin injections until I was put on a pump 7 years ago. As a result of the many injections I would take I to had knots and fat deposits under my injection site so I would rotate sites using my thighs, arms, stomach and hips, to lessen the deposits in each area. I would also use a good shea butter or cocoa butter to massage the area to help prevent extra fluid build up and to break up the scar tissue left from injections. I hope this helps!!!
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Avatar universal
Hi there!  I am a Type 1 Diabetic and have been for 7 years now (I'm 27) and gained 30 pounds in the first two years after diagnosis, so I completely understand how much this must frustrate everyone posting on this board.  I've managed to lose 20 pounds, gain it all right back and now have lost 25 pounds again and kept it off for over a year.  I found three things have really helped me finally keep the weight off, though I will say it is VERY easy to gain weight back and takes a lot more work to lose weight than it did before Type 1.

Things I have found worked for me (and I am not an MD, RN, or anyone giving out medical advice other than as someone else dealing with this frustrating disease):

1) Symlin or Victoza - both are appetite suppressants approved for use for Type 2 diabetics.  My endocrinologist prescribed them to me when I found myself eating everything in the house as my blood sugars rose after a meal (thus making them higher, thus more carbs and higher blood sugars = pounds).  Symlin didn't really do anything for me, but Victoza was amazing.  I've been off of it since August after having kept the weight off for 9 months due to its high cost, but have only gained back 5 pounds.  This ability to keep the weight off I have attributed to:
2) Minimal highs and lows - I have switched to as much of a "paleo" style diet as possible.  During a meal challenge, my blood sugars went from 110 to 375 after only an hour and by the end of the 4 hour challenge I was right back to 102.  So what me and my endo learned was that I have a crazy reaction to carbs.  In order to prevent that peak that results in me eating a ton, keeping on weight, and having insulin issues, I've switched to lower carbs - lots of lean protein, fruits, and veggies.  I've found that the better my A1C, the happier my scale makes me.
3) Taking over 12,000 steps a day - I became a big runner about 18 months ago and between that and wearing a pedometer, I've been able to get to 12000 steps a day.  I never realized how little I was moving around outside of my 30 minutes on the elliptical or in the gym until I wore that thing and now I've made it into a daily challenge.  "I'm at 7,000 steps.  If I run 3 miles, I'll be at 13,000 steps.  You can do it!"

I'm not saying this is going to work for everyone - I've tried EVERYTHING under the sun, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, just letting my blood sugars run high, exercising for 90 minutes a day every day, you name it and I've seen me get close to losing the weight and then almost immediately gain it back.  This is what I have found worked for me and continues to work for me.  I hope this helps someone because man, Type 1 is a pain to deal with alone!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do NOT allow your child to go to sleep whilst hypo or immediately after a Gucose Gel or 'frosting' as you called it. Glucose gel MUST be followed by a wholemeal snack otherwise his sugar will peak and then drop lower than the original reading. As he is already asleep, unless you spend the night beside his bed you will not be aware of that. Your son's diabetic specialist shouls have explained that to you and, more importantly, to your son. If he has regular 'lows' or 'hypos' during the night he should be taking control of it by discussing it (with your support of course) with his doctor. His insulin may need adjusting.
It is important that he has full control of his own diabetes before he becomes a teenager or he will rebel by eating the wrong foods or by not eating properly. Take this with good wishes from someone who became diabetic at 9 and lived through it and was not given full control of her own condition until she went to university and suffered throughout her first year as a result. Responsibility is good, I promise you!
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Avatar universal
Google the novo nordisk patient assistance program.  They can help get her the insulin she needs.  I've been on the program for years now and it is definitely a godsend for people with out insurance.
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Avatar universal
yeah good question, my girlfriend has always been skinny and short all her life, she was born at 6 months prematurely and addicted to crack ... shes 22 and recently diagnosed with type one, her blood sugar was 1300 at first in the hospital then over the next like 9 months probably more, she would eat eat eat eat and still lose weight we found out she had "DKA" diabetic keto acidosis where her sugars were so high all the time and basically her body was eating any fat and muscle it could find to use for energy, well recently like the past 3 mjonths her sugars been pretty under control which is good

but shes kinda pissed that she has got a pretty decent sized belly on her now... and we walk the dog every night like long walks/runs, she's super active, she eats like a pig, but shes always ate like that, i mean she cut way back lately and we are excersizing way more often and her belly is still pissing her off

o shes on lantus and humalog too sometimes they give her novalog, she was on antidepressents but the stupid hospital gave her a jmonths supply with no refill, we cant get insurance so she just stopped when she ran out (yeah dangerous, it was hard for both of us for like over a month HELL)

k theres my 50 cents
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Avatar universal
I have type 1 diabetes and sometimes at work take anywhere from 3-5 shots of long acting Humalog.  I also take Humalin twice a day.  Once in the am and once in the pm.  I have had a hard time losing weight since I have had to take the insulin.  Insulin will make you retain weight.  The best thing that I have done to lose weight is to eat every 2 hours.  Eat a good breakfast and supper with a small lunch and a small snack in between.  Since I have done this regimen, my sugar levels are more steady and I have been able to lose weight.  You will gain a little in the first week.  After that, you will begin to lose pounds.  The reason being is that you will not have to take as meaning shots and you will be tricking your body into thinking it does not have a need to store fat for later use.  Hope this helps.
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Avatar universal
We have heard from a Naturopath that if your body is dealing with foods that don't process smoothly (you'd need to do lab work to see what foods may be stressing your body) then is doesn't work efficiently. My daughter's is dairy and wheat. When she is ready I will find substitutes for these foods and see if that helps her. She also recommended a Thyroid support supplement -although she isn't diagnosed with Thyroid disease her sister is.
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Avatar universal
Me too with the keeping the blood sugar high to stay thin... eyes are suffering greatly as a result.  Now I am low carbbing it and exercising 7 times a week.  Not fat, not thin, at the same time not happy with my shape, but working on it! I am 42 and have had type 1 for 29 years.  I am fighting tooth and nail to stay not fat but its harder then anything!  I miss being super thin from restricted insulin but I am no fool as I need my eyes to keep stable!  Power through gals, this is a total uphill battle!  Work out like a crazy person, drink water and for the love of god stay away from carbs. PLan, plan, plan! Go on the pump so you NEVER have to cover a low... I refuse to do that... just turn off your pump and ride out a moderate low. Again, plan, plan, plan!  Once you get to know how your body reacts to exercise on the pump, you will do great!  No excuses, no why can't I eat that, no options,  find other pleasures, be strong, kick ***, do your research and power on!  God I need that pep talk!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had type one diabetes for 13 years now. i am really trying to lose weight for my sisters wedding and i was wondering does anyone know how to lose lower stomach fat. i noticed that since i started taking my shots there i have had more fat build up. anyone know how to help? thnx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been diabetic for 24 years and since being on the pump for 3 years have gained about 30 pounds.   I used to just keep my blood sugar high as weight control and now I am losing my eyesight because of it, so don't do it that way!  Recently, I have been working out and watching the biggest loser on netflix to help me stay motivated.  I've now lost 5 pounds in 2 months.  Doesn't sound great, but keep in mind that when I first started working out I had a lot of lows afterwards and had to eat and it was REALLY frustrating, but I stuck with it and began to see the results the second month.  A couple of things that haven't been mentioned yet... 1) drink lots of water.  Keeping your body hydrated will help get rid of the fat and help you use the insulin you take more efficiently. 2) Change your workout as you get more in shape.  Eventually your body gets used to what you are doing and won't shed the pounds as easily.  Try increasing the resistance on a machine, push how hard you are running or walking,  or try a new exercise.  
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Avatar universal
I a teenage girl with Type 1 diabetes as well, and I have, like your daughter, been trying for YEARS to lose some weight, but to no avail.  My one question would be, is she finding that she is never getting full, or is constantly hungry?  I ask because that is what happens to me.  I find it very hard to stop eating, and even after I finish my stomach does not "catch up" as people say.  I have no idea if this is related to diabetes in anyway.  I do know that insulin is responsible for increasing appetite and also slowing metabolism, something that we are "cursed" wtih.
I went to a dietitian to talk to her about my problem, and she gave me a meal plan.  The meal plan sort of worked, over a period of about 4 months I had lost about 4-5 pounds, however, the rest of my family (all non-diabetics), who stuck to the meal plan with me, lost about 10-11 pounds.  I was very frusterated about this, but was still happy that SOMETHING worked.  The key to this meal plan that made it different from other diets is that it didn't deal with carbs, fat, etc.  It did limit calories to about 1,500 a day, but that is beside the point.  The real difference was that all of the foods on the meal plan were low GI (Glycemic Index) foods.
Low GI foods are perfect for diabetics whose blood sugar is out of control.  They specifically eliminate blood sugar spikes, and keep the blood sugar in a normal range.  Blood sugar spiking is another theory as to why many type 1 diabetics gain weight, and these low GI foods reduce it.  Just a side note however, when I was on the diet, my blood sugar constantly went low and i had to compensate by eating multiple snacks throughout the day, something that probably offset my pound-shedding.  So, if you are looking to try a low GI diet (I use the word "diet" lightly because it doesn't change much about the amount that you eat), I suggest that you adjust your insulin ratios and lantus dose accordingly, by lowering them.  I hope this helps your daughter, and that she knows that this happens to many of us!
Also, one last thing, I have found that keeping a log of the foods you eat helps you to stay on track with a diet or eat better.  If you have a smart phone you can try the app Calorific, or you can just keep a small notepad or book as a log.  And a lot of the times when I found I was hungry it turned out to be that I was thirsty.  Try drinking lots of water or crystal light, or even chewing gum.  Sometimes these really help me.  
Hope some of this helps!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just a note for some people, I have had juvenile diabetes for 17 years and I am struggling with my weight more than ever. Although a lot of people talk about lowering carbs etc, please be careful, it is ok to cut out pastas and breads but ensure you are still eating fruits vegetables, dairy etc all of which contain carbs as your body needs them to function. My endroconoligist has warned that a diet that consists of less than 40-50% carbs could lead to many more complications down the road especially your kidneys and liver!
Also I recently started working out, like 2.5 weeks ago, cardio and weight lifting, and well it turns out I need more basal when i work out. I freaked out at first wondering what was going on as I would get really high sugar levels a few hours after working out. Turns out muscles use sugar to work so if there isnt enough sugar in your body (due to us trying to control with insulin) yoour muscles will pull it from everywhere else, kidneys, liver etc and increase your sugars. I now have to set my temp basal rate at 112% during my 1 hour workouts and for an extra 30 mins after. SO if taking  insulin makes me gain more wieght I'm screwed! Just some interesting things Ive experieinced lately, no changes in weight though but I'm hopeful!
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Avatar universal
My daughter is 16 and was diagnosed w/ type 1 diabetes a year and a half ago. She has put on weight and is very unhappy about it. She tried the Dukan diet for 2 months and only lost a pound!!! She does exercise. One problem she had on the diet is that even though she reduced the amount of insulin she was taking(she has an insulin pump) she would still crash and have to eat some carbs. Now she is thinking of stating the "17 Day Diet"  I suggested to her that she may wish to try a modified version of South Beach. I feel so bad for her as she is trying so hard to lose weight yet nothing is working. I have hypoglycemia so I too have to watch carb intake. I did tell my daughter that she should eat alot of veggies to keep her full(which Dukan did not allow!!!!), LEAN protein and then fruit and complex carbs in moderation
If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know
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Avatar universal
I've had type 1 since age 1 and am now 28.  I've always been just a little heavier than I wanted to be, but really gained weight during college.  No matter what I do, I can't seem to lose any of the weight.  A few years ago, I was also diagnosed with celiac (allergy to gluten).  Because of that, nearly all processed foods are off-limits, and I've also eliminated all refined sugars.  My diet consists of lean meat, fruit, vegetables, and small amounts of homemade soy-based bread made with Splenda.  That's it.  I've reduced calories (1800 max), carbs (maybe 90 on a high-carb day), fat, and work out at least an hour 4 days a week (used to be twice a day!).  I've stuck with this for the last 5 months without a single Valentine's chocolate or Easter jelly bean, and absolutely nothing has changed (the one bonus of this way of eating is that I have no cravings for sweets anymore!).  My thyroid tests perfectly normal and I've strictly followed my dietician/diabetes educator's advice.  I use a pump, and my control is decent, but pretty unpredictable--today's basal and correction rates may or may not work tomorrow, so I use the temporary basal feature a lot.  

Cardio exercise has the same impact--it might not effect my glucose levels at all, or it might send it crashing two hours later.  Therefore, I tend to stick with weight lifting instead since it's effects are much more consistent.  I realize that muscle weighs more than fat, but I'm not burning any fat either.  All of the fat is concentrated around my stomach and refuses to budge.  I don't use any other medications besides insulin, and am at a loss as to what to try next.
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Avatar universal
Some of these posts have been so helpful.  Especially those talking about feeding lows, lowering your  A1C and lowering insuling dosages.  This makes so much sense.
I have been a diabetic since I was 4 and have always battled my weight. I am only 4'11, so any weight gain on me is significant.  I was very heavy in high school and college, and then lost abour 40 pounds after college, and have been able to maintain a healthy weight since.  Until recently.  It is April, and since August I have gained 10 pounds, without any reason. My endocrinologist could find nothing in my blood work suggesting a thyroid problem, and basically tole me to exercise more and eat less.  Which I thought I had already been trying to do.  I exercise at least 4 days a week for 45 minutes, and I watch every bite that goes into my mouth.  I eat very little food.  For the last three weeks, my husband and I have been eating healthy salads for dinner 3-4 nights a week.  And still, I cannot lose any of the 10 pounds. Zero, zilch, nothing!!  Very frustrating!  I was about to just give up.  I know that my A1C is higher than it should be, and I also have a lot of lows that I end up "feeding".  So, I am going to work diligantly on lowering A1C and using less insulin.  This is such practical advice and I am really hoping that it will work for me.  I feel so fat and "swollen", and am anxious to get back to the weight I was in August.    Thank you to each of you for your posts and advice!  I will let you know how it goes, and if successful, I will "give back" and try to post additional tips that helped me.
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