Need to gain weight

[liamtype1]

Hi, I'm a type 1 diabetic and have been for 22 years and have found that I have dropped weight 28lbs in 2 years, but I have been trying to put weight on and the opposite has happened.

It has taken me 2 years to get a nutrionist interested from the hospital (i'm from England) and they dont seem to give any foods that are best.

Can anybody recommend what is best to have whilst keeping ok control of sugar levels....especially need to put weight on around chest if any food helps???

[rea]

sorry, food doesn't help but gain temporary weight.

1- make sure your blood sugars are in control if you are a T1. you'll loose weight when they run high.

2- start weight training. thats the best way to increase muscle mass. look for magazines or information on the web about 'natural' body building (without drugs, processed or miracle foods, sports bars, etc). thats the only real way to build mass.

you could always up your intake of milkshakes, deep fried foods, juice and candy to gain weight, but your health would suffer.

plus- your body will gain weight however it wants too, generally by a bit everywhere, then certain areas will hold more of the weight.
for example, men usually will gain weight in their stomaches and middle, then arms and legs last.
women seem to have 2 body types-usually gain a bit of weight all over, apple shapes start retaining it either stomache only, and pear shapes gain on butt, thights, hips and arms.

no matter how hard you try, you cannot loose or gain weight in one area only - you will instead have a gradual weight loss all over your body.its drastic weight loss or gain that makes specific areas like our stomache more noticable.

[Carwy]

:dito: Do weight training - that is the best way. However my Dr. tells me to lose weight.:hmmmm2:

[seacomp]

My endo wanted me to go on Testosterone to gain muscle mass. I declined for personal reasons, but it is an option.
The other thing of course is to sure that you are not losing weight for some other reason not directly related to diabetes. That's something that only a doctor can help you with, and they can be clueless - losing weight can be a symthom of so many things.

[Carwy]

My endo wanted me to go on Testosterone to gain muscle mass. I declined for personal reasons, but it is an option.
The other thing of course is to sure that you are not losing weight for some other reason not directly related to diabetes. That's something that only a doctor can help you with, and they can be clueless - losing weight can be a symthom of so many things.
Your so right. When I was diagnosed with cancer I had lost 50 pounds. I do not want to scare you but that is what happened to me.

[Sparkle]

What was your last hba1c? Only I lost tons of weight before diagnosed as T1 but put it on after going on insulin. Tend to lose weight as someone else has mentioned, when you are running high....sure you know all this stuff! I also lost alot when I was stressed and in pain due to back problems with was temporary and am now dieting constantly!!! Wish I could run high for a while and lose weight but obviously BAD IDEA!

[liamtype1]

Thanks for all the replies.

Sparkle, My last Hba1c was 9.8, if I rem right, Obviously I do know that if my blood sgars are running high then I will lose weight because of this but I was basically told by dr's 2/3 years ago if I dont change the way that I was eating then I would be lucky to be alive at 35....So I change everything about the way I was eating and now I seemed to have lost weight and Hba1c gone worse!!!!

Again thanks for the replies everybody and keep them coming. Liam

[Simon]

9.8 is way too high. This is most likely where the problem lies. Not enough insulin. What are your fasting and post prandial bg's? More insulin will also boost your appetite.

[liamtype1]

I know that 9.8 is way way too high. Have been taking to bring it down for 2 years+ but just not happenin! Like I said earlier I have tried to change everything that I do eating-wise and at the minute it appears to have got worse....but i'm still hoping that it will come down and fast!!

Thanks a lot!

[Georgia]

Have you had your thyroid checked? I have an overactive thyroid & one of the symptoms was losing weight.

Good luck with it :thumbsup:

[liamtype1]

Yeah I have. That is what I had also thought that it was a thyroid problem as I had a couple of over/underactive thyroid symtoms like, hair growing fast and nails growing quickly. But all tests that I had done of that nature came back fineat the beginning of February.

[Linda J717]

sorry... I can't help. I'm trying to lose weight.