[didi1]

I was diagnosed as a pre d in April 30th, did the ogtt again in the last 2 weeks after losing 21 pounds since then. Was over 2 points (142 after 2 hr test). However, I recently went back to work, (a teacher and two months later with the weight loss during our vacations) and I heard some comments as "why all the weight loss?, "You are a different person now, etc.. but I think they were all compliments. Until.....a costodian at work confided that some were saying that I must be sick. Well, I'm not sick in the way that they think (lost the weight to help with the insulin resistance), I do follow a low carb diet (Dr. Bernstein), exercise at least 5 times a week for about 30-40 minutes, and now fit into clothes when I was about 17 years old. I am from a culture that sees healthy as some "meat on the bones." However, my family has seen the reduction gradually, not them and I felt "Do I look sick? I weigh 119, 5'0 height and no medication but determination. Did I mention I am 40 years old. I thought I looked like I'm supposed too, I mean after a Dx of Pre d. Did anyone have comments like that? Wondering here in a classroom that is almost finished in decorations for a pre kinder class ( Safari Theme cool!)

[soso]

Dora
when I get to a good weight for my body, people always ask if I am ill again...when I am 10lbs overweight my face looks good, my gut looks baaad...lol..... whatyagonnado....
ss

[didi1]

Ain't that a hoot! GeeZ!!!!!

[soso]

can we say spanx.....?

ss

[Ronin]

Hi Dora!

Congratulations on the weight loss. Do you "look sick?" To the average American, who is generally overweight, yeah -- you probably do look sick.

Shifting your eating patterns to the ones recommended by people like Dr. Bernstein do have a rather dramatic effect on weight. The lack of sugars along with the lowered calorie intake and the extra demand from the exercise combined make for a rapid reduction in weight as the body has to convert fat stores into energy.

Chalk it up to them being envious, and if they don't like women without a lot of lard -- tough! (Note: your weight loss is probaly not muscle so you still have meat-on-the-bone, but a lot less lard)

[xMenace]

Awesome job!

People think you are sick because normal people don't make such dramatic changes in their bodies otherwise Start a rumor that you are dying of something nasty. See if you get some nice flowers or better yet chocolates Maybe start a second rumor that you want to experience the finest French wines before you die

I don't believe in this pre-diabetic thing. You have it in it's early stages and you will very likely progress despite the weight loss, though much more slowly. Be prepared for the jump to meds at some point and keep testing.

[princesslinda]

Congrats on your weight loss! You should be proud of yourself. I wouldn't dignify the rumors with an answer....the facts will speak for themselves as you go about your normal day with renewed energy and good health. I only hope one day someone will start that rumor about me!

[Alice]

It sounds like you look great! I think it's very difficult for petite people to lose those few extra lbs. If I lose 10 lbs, it looks like 30 on someone else! When I gain, it shows up faster too!

But please make sure you are using your meter several times a day...even being a "pre?"...No matter what stage of the Diabetic Game you are in, extended elevated blood sugars can cause unhealthy weight loss in the form of muscle burning for energy instead of the body burning carbs correctly. I don't wish to start a low/no carb debate but the blood sugar must be at a healthy range for the weight loss benefits to be standard, so to speak.

Most likely you have been eating healthy and therefore the weight loss!

[Dan Gato]

Hi Dora.

Are you also an explorer?

Congrats on your weight loss !!

Keep testing daily, hopefully you won't develop D.

Get an eye exam annually.

How was your latest A1C?

[Larry H.]

Sounds pretty familar to me.. I lost 33 pounds from 192 to 160, which is about what I weighed after college.. All I get is the "Your too thin comments".. Well I agree that loosing that weight did make my arms that used to look full, look older and thin, partly because I wasn't getting enough resistance exercise.. But as far as the numbers go, I have been doing much better and dropped way below the earlier fasting readings.

As far as Dr. Bernstein, you either love him or your probably not ready to give up everything worth eating. I am the latter. I find that by eating low carbs, not giving them up, I have been able to do all I have done, and now I seem to be able to handle things that used to send my levels alot higher with out that result. Many believe it depends on what condition your diabeties is in when you get here as to wether that senerio will occure. Once you pass a certain threshold of resistance you may be stuck with permanent diet restrictions, along the Bernstein line. Some reports I found on line show that caught early some cells may recover some ability to process sugars more efficently again when they are exposed to less of it for a while. If it goes too long that ability seems to be lost. Gives me hope anyway..

[barko]

Originally Posted by xMenace

Start a rumor that you are dying of something nasty. See if you get some nice flowers or better yet chocolates Maybe start a second rumor that you want to experience the finest French wines before you die

ROFL - I like that...maybe add

"I would really like to visit <INSERT EXOTIC LOCATION> before I kick the bucket". Maybe they will start a fund-raiser for you ;-)

[slipperyelm]

I lost a lot of weight, but have never gotten close to my ideal, so it is unlikely that anyone would have thought I'd lost too much weight or looked sick because of it.

Thinking back over people I know who've lost weight, there was one who I can say did look a little sick after weight loss. She was in her mid twenties when she lost about 80 pounds. She is now in her late 40's--We've been friends a long time. The weight loss was permanent. She has remained a good weight all these years, but, to me, she has always looked a little unhealthy since that weight loss 20+ years ago. It is in her face that she looks gaunt. And I guess the face is what we always see. In fact, she is healthy and a daily jogger....Come to think of it runners seem more likely to me than most others to look kind of gaunt. I don't know why that might be.

I'm thinking probably your workmates thought you didn't really need to lose weight by their standards, and therefore wonder why you would do so. If they thought your weight was quite fine previously, they may think you are being anorexic.

Congratulations on your improved health.

[grace girl]

Has a familiar ring to it.......I lost a lot of weight during the year after I was dx'ed...when I was at my lowest weight I also got one of those lovely puking virus's, so at a family wedding I was suddenly (to the family) thin and white as a sheet.
Two days later family gathered around me for an "intervention"....they thought I was anerexic.....I tried not to laugh at them...they were all so SERIOUSLY concerned....I finally told them it was just diabetes!

Congratulations on the weight loss! I bet you look great!

[didi1]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I did get great comments from the rest of the teachers who went today to school. I guess some people need to start a rumor when a good thing happens ( like losing weight and the correct way too with diet and exercise). My family loves me and thinks that I look greaat. Using a size 4 in jeans for a 5'0 height is how I am supposed to be if you make the "normal" weight comparisons to help with insulin resistance. (meaning I should have been this weight all of the past years and probably would not been battling diabetes in my future). Again, thanks for being here.
Dora