Slimming/carbs

Posted , 8 users are following.

Hi everyone. May I ask. how many of you if any, have lost weight while on steroids, with the slimming world diet? I have now been sticking to this 'food optimising' for two weeks and have only lost 1lb! I realised that I wouldn't lose tons like non pred taking people but am extremely disappointed all the same.

Now my query is that this diet contains quite high carb consumption. You are told to fill up on potatoes, rice and pasta as well as meat and loads of fruit and veg. As we all know, a low carb diet is more pred friendly so I wondered if this is why I havn't lost weight? Trouble is, I find it is the easiest diet I have ever been on! I have checked and double checked that I am 'doing it correctly' and I am, however I am never hungry. The only thing I miss is a sandwich (bread is very restricted) and cornflakes which are very high in 'syns'!  I am hoping that if I stick with it, the weight loss will kick in sooner or later! Any thoughts gratefully received. Hope you are all having a 'good' day, Debbie 

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Haven't weighed myself since 2005, I figure there's no point unless I'm planning to do something about it. Relax girl, don't get caught up in the diet fiasco. Since on steroids I seem to be gaining an extra chin which is interesting. On the plus side all the wrinkles have puffed out a bit.

    Gillian

  • Posted

    Hi Debbie, I'm waiting to join slimming world. In our area 12 weeks of either weight watchers or slimming world will be funded by the local authority. I'm doing it mainly becquse being on pred has made my diabetes completely out of control , in fact I was started on insulin last friday. Prior to pred it was controlled purely by metformin. I'm feeling quite depressed about the consequences of being on pred and would dearly love to come off it but that doesn't seem likely for some time yet. Carbs are the worst thing for diabetics but I love them!!!!! Good look with the diet, I'll be joining you soon! Take care, Deb
    • Posted

      Deborah, hang on in there. Preds does make insulin management harder but insulin levels will level out as the preds reduce. As for carb intake. I'm terrible too. I live my bread, potatoes, rice and pasta but as I explained above I limit myself to 1 carb daily. So if I have a sandwich at lunch then I can't include in my evening meal pasta, ride or potatoes, and likewise if I plan to have any potatoes, rice or pasta in my evening meal then I can't have a sandwich for lunch. You will get use to it and I think it will help you. All the best, Christina 
  • Posted

    We generally suggest a low-carb diet for those on steroids.  It is difficult to lose weight while on high doses, but I found I could optimise the weight loss as I reduced the dose.

    I'm T2 diabetic as well and the low-carb suited me for that too.  I cut out all starchy carbs - potatoes (do eat sweet potatoes), bread, rice, pasta etc.  I'm a porridge lover, so porridge for breakfast is lovely!  I lost 2 stone and have maintained that loss.

    Would like to lose another stone, but for other reasons now my mobility is very limited, so don't think I will be able to.  Will keep on trying, though!

     

    • Posted

      Nefret, may I ask, how long did it take you to loose 2 stone? Regards, christina 
    • Posted

      Around 10 months/ 1 year, Christina.  I can't be more detailed than that as when I was first taking steroids and seemed to be putting on another stone each week, I binned my scales.  They were making me miserable so I got rid of them.

      I have a diabetic check up once a year and the nurse was amazed at the difference between one year and the next, but I did no more than said above plus I don't do fat-free anything as the fat is only replaced by more sugar, which is the last thing I need.

      I had only one secret weapon which I used when the munchies were really bad - chicken drumsticks!  Skinned, I could eat all the meat and feel that I was satisfied...............till the next time!

    • Posted

      Hi nefret, thanks for that. I agree totally re the low fat option stuff. Well done on your weight loss. I've estimated that if I like you lose my total 2 stone in 10-12 months I should be able to get into my bikini come January 2016. I live in Cornwall so I should be hitting the beaches at the coldest time of the year!! Regards, Christina 
  • Posted

    Hi Debbie i cannot help, as i lost 2 stone taking steroids, but i do keep to a eating plan, low carbs, no pasta etc (or should i say when on holiday i lapse), my doctor cannot understand why i lost weight as she expected me to pile on weight, Good luck in your diet there are many people on thios site that can help you.
  • Posted

    Hi Debbie i am on 7mg of pred also 20 mg mext  i joined slimming world in march and lost 1 stone 1 lb  im am still going to slimming world  so do keep going it will work. 
  • Posted

    I've just been discussing this over coffee with a doctor during the conference I'm at! 

    I have been able to lose weight, albeit very slowly, by cutting carbs drastically - even at 15mg/day dosage. What I do find is that as soon as I eat any more carb I stop losing weight at all, if I eat too much I put weight back on although it is easy to lose just by modifying what I'm eating again. Our discussion included that fact - and I was quite correct in my view that part of it is that eating carbs results in increased fluid retention and water also weighs! And fluid retention is also a problem for many people when taking pred.

    For anyone with diabetic tendencies filling up on carbs is bound to cause problems - carbs are broken down to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar level. It may be faster or slower depending on the type of carbohydrate you are eating but in the end it is all turned to the substance that raises your blood sugar - so avoiding it makes sense.

    It really isn't as simple as a calorie count and in some cases you need a different approach.

  • Posted

    Hi Debbie, I have been attending the same slimming club as yourself, on and off for 7 years.  I started again this January and stuck to it religiously and even cut carbs for 3 weeks.  I lost 1lb.  Before PMR it took me two and a half years to lose 21lb.  I find it soul destroying and it messes with my head, so I don't do diets anymore but continue with healthy eating.  Good luck on your journey.  Pat

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