To think there’s no point being hungry if the weight isn’t coming off?

[Flaribeau]

The doctor has told me to lose weight because I’m at risk of diabetes. I’m absolutely starving but virtually no weight is coming off! I haven’t had a single biscuit or packet of crisps, no takeaways or alcohol at all, I’ve cut right down on carbs, I’ve started walking for an hour a day, and I’ve still only lost 2lb in an entire month.

AIBU to think being hungry is absolutely pointless if I’m not losing weight? Everyone says you lose loads in the first few weeks but I haven’t. I was expecting to have lost half a stone by now. I’m suffering for no reason because the weight isn’t coming off 😭

My mind boggles at a dr suggesting someone barely overweight is heading for diabetes, I’m assuming that if your hb1ac is so elevated ,you are eating way too much sugar in the form of starches
HBA1C was too high. I don’t drink alcohol or eat takeaways, I exercise every day and I’m 7lbs overweight, I wear a size 14. Dr said you don’t have to be obese to get type 2 diabetes, he wants me to lose the 7lb and then possibly an extra stone or two, because BMI obviously isn’t accurate for me. Because my blood numbers are like an obese person who doesn’t exercise and eats junk food, but I don’t fit that description. I used to eat a couple of biscuits a day and maybe a yogurt or something after my dinner, so I guess that was too much.

He’s rarely there. He goes to work before the kids and I get up, we see him 7-8pm, then I put the kids to bed and go to bed myself. So I don’t know what he could realistically do in terms of “care”.

A few years ago there was a diet plan called “Volumetrics” which sounds like one that might help you. They said then “don’t diet hungry!” If you look it up you will see they use equivalencies and a lot of visuals. So 1/3 of a chocolate bar might equal a dish of melon balls, that sort of thing. Google it and maybe it will help. They have a lot of meal plans and ideas, so it’s not a stringent thing. Good luck!

I would recommend that you try lots of different sports until you find one you like, sport is the best way to maintain a healthy weight. I exercise 3 or 4 times a week and am sensible with what I eat, I am veggie, but I don't calorie count. I use food as a fuel to strengthen my body and don't know what I would do without carbs. Dramatically reducing your carb intake can make you feel sluggish and hungry!

You really need to change the angle you’re coming at this from. Get away from the ‘diet’ mindset and run as far away as you can from slimming world etc (great way of preying on vulnerable women and demonising food).

Firstly work out your TDEE. There’s online calculators for this. The chances are you’re not eating enough, and what you are eating is calorie laden without realising. Increase your protein! One little potato is pointless… carbs are not the devil and as part of a proper balanced diet are fine to eat. Get MyFitnessPal, calorie count properly. Step count. Aim for 10k steps every day. Your walk, if that’s all you’re doing, will be good but you can add in some cardio too. Follow TeamRH on social media, that’s a great approach to healthy eating and exercising.

Ok I am now quite sure you posted about the hba1c results before and I will be very clear.

This is not helping, you just keep going in circles, can't see wood for trees and are panicking online because ypu (as said) end up going in circles. Ask you GP for MH support so you can talk it out safely, sttart coping and see things bit more clearly, not on forum with randoms with 700 different opinions. That's not particular greatest an safest in this case

Did I see you mention your bread was gluten free? If so as someone who needs to eat gluten free myself I know these products tend to be worse than their ‘normal’ alternatives when it comes to fat, sugar and salt. I know you love your bread but you may want to try a naturally gluten free diet for a bit. There are plenty of healthy meal choices you can make and enjoy that way. You may miss your toast initially but just keep trying other options and you will find things you enjoy.

I am only 7lb over a healthy BMI. But the advice to prevent t2 diabetes is to lose weight and cut out treats and alcohol. I don’t drink alcohol so all I can do is stop eating food. They’ve also told me that 7lb won’t make a huge difference, people who reverse diabetes normally lose a few stone. So I should forget about normal BMI and try to lose about 2 stone.

What is your relationship with DH like? Is he supportive?
He is supportive of me losing weight as long as I still cook him a normal dinner, and bacon sandwiches etc for breakfast at weekends. So I have to cook nice food then not eat it.

Have this instead:

2 egg mushroom omelette with cheese.
Greek yog, berries, apple compote

Lunch:
Jacket potato, tuna, salad, cottage cheese.
Lentil and veg soup, crackers, fruit, cold cuts, tuna.

Dinner:
chicken casserole
Sausage, mash and carrots
Salmon, roasted veg, rice, roasted butternut squash.

I'd avoid bread, rice and pasta. If you do have these, have small amounts

Can’t he cook?

A month is no time at all. Everyone's bodies and metabolism works in different ways. Just ignore what everyone else says, pay attention to your own body and how that works. It'll take time but will be so, so worth it to prevent developing diabetes.

Can't she work?

They’ve also told me that 7lb won’t make a huge difference, people who reverse diabetes normally lose a few stone.

It's not because of losing weight. It's because they've changed what they eat which results in losing weight. It is what they are eating (or not eating) that has an impact on their diabetes.

You can lose weight by eating only bread, but it won't help diabetes.

How tall are you & what do you weigh now?

I quit dieting and the weight piled back on.

So how much did you used to weigh, before the weight piled on?
If being hungry is how you stop weight gain when your BMI is already 25+, then that is a good thing.

I am 7lb over a normal weight for my height.
only lost 2lb in an entire month.

That suggests a calorie deficit of about 1800/week (~230/day) which for a person who is close to a healthy weight, means a very sustainable steady rate of weight loss.

HBA1C was 42.5. I’ve been told to lose at least 7lb, preferably 2st. I’m a little over 11st so that would take me to 9st. They said I’m limited in how much difference I can make by losing weight because I’m hardly even overweight. So I will have to diet very strictly, no biscuits or treats ever again.

It doesn't just depend on weight though. Diet and stress can cause a rise in blood glucose.
OP hasn't mentioned HBA1C results so probably not been tested and just needs to get into the mindset of learning to eat the right foods to avoid being ill.
It is often assumed that you have to be 'fat' to be diabetic. My neighbour is very slim, type 2, has been for years.

I was 11.5st and dieted down to 10st. Then the weight loss stalled. I cut my intake, and cut it again, till I was only eating one meal a day, but the weight still wasn’t shifting. I was so hungry. So I went back to 3 meals with a couple of biscuits after dinner, and the weight went back on. So I’m now back at just over 11st and being told the standard advice that weight loss prevents diabetes.

OP hasn't mentioned HBA1C results so probably not been tested
Its 42.5. But pre-pregnancy it was 34 so that’s a dramatic rise in a short period. Hence why they want me to diet. I’m only a few pounds overweight but they don’t have any other tool to address it.

It will come off OP but very very slowly if you are close to a good BMI. The reason they always say about losing weight is because far more people (like me) that end up pre diabetic are 3 stone plus overweight. Cut right back on carbs- if like me you have to eat GF too this is easier unless you eat far too much GF white pasta , GF cake and biscuits or GF bread. That's why as I mentioned below I eat a lot of cauliflower rice , I fry it in a small amount of sesame oil and add chicken and veg and soy sauce, hugely filling as you can have a whole packet! and very small amounts very occasionally of whole grain GF pasta or rice. I still eat fruit but maybe 3 bananas a week, and a handful of blueberries or raspberries 2 or 3 times a week with proper Greek yoghurt. I'm not doing keto as it gave me bad headaches but am doing low carb (50 to 100 grams a day)

I sent my HBAC1 from 44 down to 38 in 4 months. I ate a lot more eggs, chicken and salads with tinned fish on them. I lost 29 lbs too , but took me 10 months and I'm still at it. I also made sure I did 10,000 steps a day and had no more than 1 milky coffee a day .

Your weight isn't really the issue, cutting your blood sugar is, so you can actually eat more than you are doing - but the right things .

@Flaribeau -- and skip the biscuits -

I saw your post which had appeared as I posted mine. 42.5 is only just pre-diabetic by current guidelines.
Follow some of the advice on https://www.diabetes.co.uk/, and do ask on there for help, they are very helpful and know what you will be feeling.

Ok yeah, OP what did your theralist say last time when you called them about the health anxiety flair up? You should speak with them again.

Everyone here should stop making it worse.

You sound like you’re eating a normal amount- 2 eggs and toast for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and chicken or chilli, veg and a bit of rice for dinner is quite average I would say, with a couple of snacks like cheesestring or peanut butter. Maybe you need to do more exercise? Walking an hour a day will help but it’s not a huge calorie burn. Could you get into jogging, swimming, weights etc? Maybe hiit workouts too if you need to exercise from home?

Weight is the issue too though - even a few pounds can make a huge difference. A family member is pre-diabetic and struggling because she’s very slightly built and is seven and a half stone. Sometimes weight is the only tool to reducing the risk.