Weight Gain and Aging

Type 2
1

Being a 50+ woman, I am seriously concerned about keeping my “D” in control, and getting my weight in control. I found this article this weekend, and thought, I don’t think this life is being very fair about how it treats us “old folks”. Are there members out there who are in their 50’s + and have found this more difficult in controlling weight and their diabetes?

" Weight Gain and Aging: How to Fight Back

A study of weight gain prevention in 284 women showed that women who maintained a healthy weight over a three-year period were more likely to:

  • Carefully monitor food intake
  • Avoid a loss of control of their diet (binging, for example)
  • Not feel hungry

The strategies for combating weight gain as you age are the same you’ve used before:

  • Count your calories
  • Eat a hunger-busting diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats
  • Keep fat intake below 30 percent of your calories
  • Be physically active, at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week (more if possible)

Aging doesn’t mean you are destined for weight gain — just step up your diet and exercise routine to stay on track! "

2

* Count your calories

  • Eat a hunger-busting diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats
  • Keep fat intake below 30 percent of your calories
  • Be physically active, at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week (more if possible)

I do all of the above. And it works!

3

With all due respect to any and everyone using the above described diet formula, it didn’t work that way for me. I did religiously follow this way of eating for nearly two years. I did lose weight albeit slowly. Then, at the end of July '09, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. My A1c level was 10.5% or 297. At the recommendation of my doctor I read Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution book. I am not advocating this way of eating (Dr. Bernstein’s) for eveyone as every diabetic is different in what keeps their glucose levels in control. However, since I keep my carbs to a minimum I have had wonderful blood sugar numbers and have lost 8 lbs. in two months - still not fast, but pretty darn good considering it took me nearly two years eating as described in your message to lose 20lbs.

Once I started monitoring my blood sugar, I found I couldn’t even eat an apple! Oat bran caused my sugar to spike out of control and even high-fiber bread (never ate more than one slice and never bought any bread less than 5g fiber and made of whole sprouted grains) would send my sugars soaring to the moon. All this while taking diabetes meds.

Cathy, I am a 50+ year old woman, so I completely understand where you’re coming from.