Losing weight with diabetes is much like losing weight without diabetes, except that you must pay close attention to your blood sugar. With a healthy diet and exercise, you should be able to lose weight with diabetes.
Before You Begin
Before you begin losing weight with diabetes, it is important to consult with a doctor or diabetes educator about how to do this safely. While losing weight, your blood sugar, medications, and insulin will need to be closely monitored. Your doctor or your diabetes educator can help you with this.
Benefits for Losing Weight with Diabetes
If you're overweight and have diabetes, losing weight has several health benefits. You can lower blood sugar, reduce blood pressure, and improve your cholesterol. You will probably also be able to breathe easier and have more energy. You may be able to begin seeing these results by losing just 10 to 15 pounds.
Tips for Losing Weight with Diabetes
- Set realistic goals. Your doctor or diabetes educator can help you determine how much weight you should lose.
- Begin exercising at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. Aerobic exercise can immediately lower your blood pressure. You will want to consult with a doctor or diabetes educator about engaging in weight lifting, since it can affect your blood sugar level many hours later.
- Eat nutritious meals and snacks, and limit you daily calorie intake as directed by a doctor or diabetes educator.
- Begin tracking the calories you eat. Some people find that tracking their calorie intake closely motivates them to eat less.
- Do not eat every time you feel a hunger pang. This is the result of your stomach having been stretched due to overeating. Once your stomach begins to shrink, you should not feel hunger pangs as often.
- Check your blood sugar level regularly, and let your doctor know if you have any concerns regarding your level.
What if You Have Trouble Losing Weight with Diabetes?
For some people, it is not possible to lose weight by diet and exercise alone. If you feel you are one of these people, speak with your doctor. You may be prescribed medications that will make you feel less hungry, allowing you to lose weight. If your body mass index (BMI) is 35 or above, your doctor may also recommend you undergo surgery to help you lose weight. Before you are prescribed medication or undergo surgery, your doctor will likely require that you attempt to first lose weight through diet and exercise.