[Rob A]

I've been a diabetic for 10 years, having started off on oral agents and quickly converted to MDI insulin therapy and now pumping since 2002 (Minimed paradigm 511, now Omnipod).
I'm finding it very tough to lose the weight I've gained gradually over the years. Im 5'10 about 200 lbs with a % body fat around 27.5.
I'd like to get back to a weight of around 170.
I recently joined a program in SF called BootcampSF. Its a 6 week course of outdoor group exercises which varies per day (4 days a week includes jogging, pushups, situps and tension band muscle training) that whips your body into shape.
I've noticed I can cut back on my basal rates after just the first week.
But what else can I do to burn fat without becoming hypoglycemic?
I usually do low impact aerobic stuff in the gym on other days.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob
Info: AGE: 52, OMNIPOD + NOVOLOG, DEXCOM CGMS
GLUCOPHAGE, LOVASTATIN, LISINOPRIL, AND 81 MG ASA

[BrianSCohen]

Rob,

Great job on the Bootcamp. If you stick with it you should really improve your fitness level. I would really just ignore the whole weight thing. What you should really care about is bodyfat. Low impact aeroboic stuff is not likely to be of much help. I would suggest you might look into some weight training. Remember, the key to losing weight and bodyfat is in the kitchen. It helps to do exercise, but you need to get your diet in order as a first priority.

[pumper]

Have you considered a low-carb diet?

I think that it helps for both weight loss and blood sugar control.

I try to keep my carbs under 30 g for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a total of about 100 g per day. (This is for non-lifting and cardio days)

Then I have more carbs at the meal immediately following a lifting workout (ie, if I lift in the AM, then I have high carbs for lunch)

[BrianSCohen]

Originally Posted by pumper

Have you considered a low-carb diet?

I think that it helps for both weight loss and blood sugar control.

I try to keep my carbs under 30 g for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a total of about 100 g per day. (This is for non-lifting and cardio days)

Then I have more carbs at the meal immediately following a lifting workout (ie, if I lift in the AM, then I have high carbs for lunch)

Pumper has a good point. Also if you are 200 lbs at 27.5% bf you have about 55 lbs of bf. To reach 170 pounds and be lean is going to fairly difficult to reach without some marked loss of lean body mass. You are going to have to work really hard to maintain muscle and you are unlikely to do this with aerobic work. Have you thought about some serious weight training?

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by Rob A

... what else can I do to burn fat without becoming hypoglycemic?....

Following on from pumper's comments, bear in mind that one of the main effects of insulin is to stop the burning of fat. The less insulin you use, the more easily you will burn fat. You minimise insulin use by eating low-carb. Getting lots of exercise, which you are doing, also helps because it improves insulin sensitivity. Doing both together should get you into fat burning mode (ketosis).

[Rob A]

All good points, thanks guys.