Hi from BC

[Hollico]

Came to low-carb via being diagnosed as T2 diabetic in 2006 when I had a heart attack and subsequent septupal bypass.

The conventional diabetes treatment - drugs, follow the Canada food guide, etc., - did not work for me. My blood sugars were up, down (too low) and everywhere in between. I did lose about 10 pounds but then plateaued for three years.

Found Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution and through following the program put my diabetes in remission. My focus was controlling my blood sugars but in the course of doing this I lost about 60 lbs. over 6 years.

I'm no longer on any diabetes meds and have had an A1C of 5.7 - 5.9 for the past 3 years. My heart medication dosages have been reduced by 50%, my lipid profile is great, I feel fantastic - better than I have for a very long time. I have to keep on top of my weight - it crept up about 10 lbs to 175 early this year, although some of that is most likely muscle.

Curious to learn why the weight loss had been so easy and virtually inadvertent, I began to look into low-carb eating and ran across the low-carb, high-fat work of the keto pioneers.

I combine a Bernstein keto lifestyle with a daily workout at a local gym.

[GreekRibs]

I'm so tired - it's an hour later over here in SK but I wanted to say a big congrats to you for controlling your diabetes, reducing meds and losing weight. You are doing great.I'm loving the gym too. Hope you find lots of inspiring things on this site.

[JEY100]

A big welcome :wave: and congratulations for an awesome reversal of diabetes in spite of your doctors and government advice :)

Look all around here for diet info, and hang out on the Diabetes sub-forum. Have you found the work of fellow Canadian Dr Jason Fung? A good thread for him, Dr Hallberg, Dr Westman, Dr Bernstein, Dr Eenfeldt, etc and others who are changing diabetes treatment to actually address intolerance to carbs.
http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=45

Your question is well timed. There is another new member who has been asking that question in different ways on different forums. Meet: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=473448. Then tap on his name to see all his threads and posts on how does LC work when not counting calories? Already answered by a number of members.

All the best,

[Hollico]

Thanks for the welcome! Glad I discovered this forum and look forward to interacting and sharing what I have learned.

There are several folks with T2 at my gym and I find it distressing that so many diabetics just accept the disease (and the inevitable consequences such as death from a heart attack, loss of peripheral nerves, etc.). It is reversible and even Type 1's can benefit from a low-carb/high-fat lifestyle. All drugs have side-effects, even insulin.

[Mousesmom]

Welcome from a fellow BC'er. Glad you joined us here. :wave:

[Hollico]

Thanks, Janet! I have lots to learn about low-carb/high-fat and this looks like a great way to find out. Especially appreciate the heads up on Dr. Jason Fung - I have run across his name but don't know much about him. And thanks for the intro to Rythmbeat.

[JEY100]

Dr Fung's website is so extensive now, plus all his videos on DietDoctor, it is actually better to start with the book..that is the "shorter" version ;) I listen to lots of nutrition podcasts, his recent interview with Robb Wolf was excellent and his explanation of calories "just so Jason".
http://robbwolf.com/2016/05/10/episode-20-dr-jason-fung-obesity-insulin-diabetes-and-weight-management/

[GRB5111]

Welcome! Dr. Jay Wortman from Canada has been involved in researching and supporting a low carb, healthy fat approach since his own diagnosis of diabetes. He produced a movie called "My Big Fat Diet" and has worked with the first nations to help move them toward more traditional, healthier ways of eating. Here's a short video he did addressing T2D:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_980841&feature=iv&src_vid=U4y8-1J_Jqw&v=zjUdtK6ukqY

He's got a website that is not always up to date, but contains some interesting information:

http://www.drjaywortman.com/

[Hollico]

Thanks GRB5111! Actually I encountered Dr. Woortman via the book Keto Clarity. His TV show "My Big Fat Diet" about an Alert Bay where 100 people signed up for a 1 year Low Carb/High Fat lifestyle was fascinating and is well worth watch - can be found on You Tube. And thanks as well for the links.