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Original poster

Will my diabetes belly ever go away?

28 replies

dinatine · 06/05/2023 17:55

I am 30, diagnosed with PCOS and type 2 diabetes at 27. I'm 5 foot 4 and 14 stone. Most of my weight is in my stomach. To be honest, my legs are very slim as is my arms. I just have this horrible apron stomach.

Anyways I've been fasting daily and eating one meal a day. The weight is dropping off, everywhere but my stomach that is!

I've recently started couch to 5k and have researched and started doing some weight lifting.

I'm just terrified that I'm going to put in all this effort and the weight will continue dropping off my body and be left with this massive stomach.

Also worried about loose skin being left, should I be?

Has anyone managed to get this off?

I'm thirty, single (one child) and honestly, I haven't had sex in two years due to this stomach of mine, I really need a good shag if I'm quite honest 😂 and can no longer let this hold me back.

So if I continue with the fasting and do jogging and strength training, will this shift my belly or am I going to always have this apron overhang?

If so, what do I do? As I feel it's really dictating my sex life.

OP posts:
IAmNotOkay · 06/05/2023 17:59

If you are an apple shape it could just be (typically) the last area you get rid of, especially with your diabetes and PCOS. It is doable though.
Well done for tackling your weight and fitness though!

Irritateandunreasonable · 06/05/2023 18:00

Weight training is not going to help you with loose skin.

The best way to do this is to loose weight slowly but it may still be a problem.

Original poster
dinatine · 06/05/2023 18:08

Irritateandunreasonable · 06/05/2023 18:00

Weight training is not going to help you with loose skin.

The best way to do this is to loose weight slowly but it may still be a problem.

Really? What will help with loose skin?

OP posts:
Irritateandunreasonable · 06/05/2023 18:16

dinatine · 06/05/2023 18:08

Really? What will help with loose skin?

Show quote history

Surgery is the only thing that will remove loose skin.

Original poster
dinatine · 06/05/2023 18:18

Oh god. Does everyone get loose skin if they lose a significant amount of weight or may I be okay due to my age?

OP posts:
Original poster
dinatine · 06/05/2023 18:19

IAmNotOkay · 06/05/2023 17:59

If you are an apple shape it could just be (typically) the last area you get rid of, especially with your diabetes and PCOS. It is doable though.
Well done for tackling your weight and fitness though!

Thank you! I'm just so ready. It's clear to me I've been depressed and that's why my weight has crept up. Luckily feeling much better and in control.

OP posts:
Imatot · 06/05/2023 18:22

Following for any advice!

ADHDDDDDDDBOOM · 06/05/2023 18:23

Did you have a c-section?

ProseccoOnIce · 06/05/2023 18:24

OP, have you heard of diabetes reversal using counterweight plus?

It could be an option for you.

GnomeDePlume · 06/05/2023 18:24

Years ago I lost around 7 stone (since put most of it back on) and didnt end up with loose skin. I lost the weight quickly. I think it is just down to the luck of the draw.

Bananasinpjamas4567 · 06/05/2023 18:45

Sorry OP I can’t help you with the weight loss but I will say to 100% ignore anyone who tells you just loosing weight will somehow cure you or ‘reverse’ it as if it’s your fault. It’s not helpful and type 2 diabetes is grossly misunderstood by the general public. You need to find a way to deal with this that you can stick with as it’s a lifelong condition and short term fixes will leave you with potentially much longer term issues.

Original poster
dinatine · 06/05/2023 18:48

ADHDDDDDDDBOOM · 06/05/2023 18:23

Did you have a c-section?

Yes I did

OP posts:
IAmNotOkay · 06/05/2023 19:06

Bananasinpjamas4567 you do realise there are people who actually do reverse their diabetes through dietary changes and weight loss though? I see many of them myself.

Iminthemoneylife · 06/05/2023 19:09

Bananasinpjamas4567 · 06/05/2023 18:45

Sorry OP I can’t help you with the weight loss but I will say to 100% ignore anyone who tells you just loosing weight will somehow cure you or ‘reverse’ it as if it’s your fault. It’s not helpful and type 2 diabetes is grossly misunderstood by the general public. You need to find a way to deal with this that you can stick with as it’s a lifelong condition and short term fixes will leave you with potentially much longer term issues.

Have you not seen the research by Professors Roy Taylor ? For the majority of people with type 2 diabetes they completely remove the need for medication. It’s fascinating and exciting reading.

Original poster
dinatine · 06/05/2023 19:12

IAmNotOkay · 06/05/2023 19:06

Bananasinpjamas4567 you do realise there are people who actually do reverse their diabetes through dietary changes and weight loss though? I see many of them myself.

It's very strange I got diabetes as it doesn't run in my family. However, I have insulin resistance PCOS, so that's definitely a contributing factor. My diet was definitely too carb heavy in the past so I know that's where the problem was.

It is embarrassing at 30 to say I have type 2 diabetes so I don't often mention it. But I'm plagued with hypos which does impact my daily life. I feel like I am constantly on edge to maintain stable blood sugars and one mistake fucks up my full day. Tiredness, nausea, irritability, brain fog, it's awful.

I do feel I'm getting to grips with everything now. However, I am meant to take 2000 mg metformin but take none as I feel so Ill taking it, so I know I have to work on that and if I start taking that should help my weight loss.

OP posts:
Original poster
dinatine · 06/05/2023 19:14

@Iminthemoneylife that's the aim of my doctor, to get me off of all medication for this.

OP posts:
Littlepiglet123 · 06/05/2023 19:15

Yes diabetes reversal is possible for T2 although we tend to call it remission rather than reversal because it will just come back if the person stops with the positive lifestyle improvements.

With regards to the apron- it don't think it's going to shift, obviously weight loss will help massively (well done for that), it tends to be the last part of the body to slim down. The excess skin/ apron caused by a c section is likely to stay regardless of your weight.

SweetSakura · 06/05/2023 19:19

You shouldn't feel embarrassed, and I wouldn't judge you. It sounds very much like it's connected to your PCOS anyway.

I am currently at high risk of T2 diabetes due to bring on a very heavy dose of steroids - I hate the fact there is judgement around this and I think we need to work hard to change the narrative.

Re weight gain- I am an apple it goes onto my belly first and is last to go from there but when I am slim and fit my belly is tolerable (in all honesty the only time I had zero belly was when I was anorexic)

CheeseDreamsTonight · 06/05/2023 19:20

Have a look at Mindy Pelz if you like fasting. Hers is based on your cycle and hormones and she has had good results with people with PCOS, shifting weight and regulating hormones.

Also, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar a day can reduce testosterone in those with PCOS.

CheeseDreamsTonight · 06/05/2023 19:20

She has the Resetter podcast and a book called Fast Like a Girl

kingtamponthefurred · 06/05/2023 19:30

Congratulations on doing so well. The fat will go eventually if you stick to your weight loss programme, the diabetes may go. You are likely to have some loose skin but that is purely a cosmetic issue, nobody ever died of it whereas many have died from diabetes and its complications.

Iminthemoneylife · 06/05/2023 19:33

dinatine · 06/05/2023 19:14

@Iminthemoneylife that's the aim of my doctor, to get me off of all medication for this.

Good luck. I hope it goes well. You must be working really hard on your diet.

SchoolShenanigans · 06/05/2023 19:35

How much weight have you lost so far?

I'd say

  1. it's too early to know, unless you've lost stones. Don't give up, for your health if nothing else.

  2. you may have diastasis recti, where your tummy muscles split in pregnancy. This means your tummy won't hold in your bloat and you may find it harder to look less round. Google it. Losing weight will be the first step, then, specific weight training. But some exercises are bad for recovering.

Well done on doing something about it, diabetes is a horrible disease, best to lose the weight now and hopefully get away lightly.

Jenasaurus · 06/05/2023 19:42

I stumbled accross your post and can relate. I also have or had type 2 diabetes and had an apron of skin on my belly. I was diagnosed on 1st July 2023, and weighed 14 stone 7 with a waist of 41 inches and my HbA1c was 80. I gave up smoking, cut carbs to 130g a day and eat lot of protein, healthy fat an veg, I have a walk each day and have now got to 9 stone and a waist of 29 inches and in remission. I have always had skinny arms and legs and my nickname was ostrich as my belly was the only area of fatness, anyway the first areas I lost weight was my face and arms and legs but then suddenly my belly fat started to go too, I am not hungry anymore as it was my high carb diet before that made me hungry and want to snack

I use the nutracheck app to make sure I keep under 130g carbs and have ample protein and my life has changed dramatically in the last 9 months. I have a little pouch of skin but its mainly gone now and I can wear size 10 (I was a size 24) This is a life change for me so I dont end up blind or losing a foot, so not a diet, just a life style. Good luck...Oh I am 58 too

IntheJingelyJangelyJungle · 06/05/2023 19:42

Talk to your GP about the metformin issues… there are other options incl slow release (fewer gastrointestinal effects) or, if your HBA1C merits it, there are other excellent treatment options (which can also aid weight loss) such as SGLT2 inhibitors.

You don’t hypo with T2DM/ metformin unless you are on other hypoglycaemia inducing medications- so what you think are hypos (unless proven on a BM monitor) are likely something else. Do talk to your doctor about it- there are so many treatment options which can be tailored to an individual. If your HBA1C is good (<7) off meds then lifestyle and carb counting is a good way to go just now- with regular HBA1C monitoring of course.

Re the tummy? It’s so frustrating when we manage to lose weight and it makes our tummy just look proportionally bigger! I’d recommend looking at Pilates/ core work (loads of online classes if you are a busy lady) rather than other strength training. Good for pelvic floors too. Can be done at home with minimal kit- 20min a day of proper sweaty Pilates etc will likely make a difference.

Hope this helps- big kudos to you for achieving what you have so far!!!