A new meal plan
Feb. 6th, 2015 11:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stitchwhichYesterday was "non-surgical weight loss clinic day". It was not as humiliating as I expected it to be, not at all. In fact, the staff sort of made me feel as though my actual weight was immaterial to the goal of getting healthier, as if the projected loss was merely a by-product of the process I'll be going through. The imaging booth, however, was quite sobering even before I got the printout of my various measurements. Oh my. I know most fat people try not to look at themselves - I am no different - so that was rough. I suppose I will appreciate the measurements later on as things shrink.
The doctor (now to be referred to as "Dr. Slimming") and her nurse were both shocked about the words our regular doctor (Dr. Everyday) had said to me as well as with his ignorance about weight management. Dr. Slimming muttered to herself that she "needs to meet this Dr. ____." Since they are both in the same umbrella medical organization (Sentara Health Care), I have a feeling that his next company-mandated annual class may be in a subject not of his own choosing.
For the next two weeks I shall be on a rather restricted meal plan. This will enable Dr. Slimming to compare my original fasting bloodwork to what will come from the carefully-controlled foods, giving her a good idea of my overall metabolic functions so we can work out a comfortable meal plan for the future. One thing she said to me surprised me. She said that most medications commonly prescribed for diabetes will stimulate even more insulin production in low-edge-diabetic (that'd be me) patients, which results in higher daily hunger levels and also causes the body to be more efficient than ever in converting and storing fat. So it isn't uncommon for new diabetics to begin to gain weight even though they are eating less than they had previously.
I am eating a LOT of food (comparably). More bread in a day than normal, that is for sure, even if it is "45 calories per slice". At 20g of carbohydrates for two slices, it seems dangerous! I have to eat two-four slices a day. And three eggs each morning, unless I prefer a low-fat yogurt, a serving of (hospital brand, extraordinarily expensive) oatmeal, and a small fruit. I've not had a doctor suggest that many eggs in a week, much less on a daily basis. It seems very odd. I'm sure I am going to be very tired of those two meals by the end of the study period.
There is not to be any cooking with oil, not even olive oil. I had to buy some of that spray stuff (which is, btw, oil) to use. No butter, either. It appears that one of the things important in this two-week diet is an almost total elimination of fat. Lean meats only, low calorie cheese (45 calories per slice, which is less than useless in flavor as far as I am concerned.), and no other dairy.
Eight to ten ounces of cooked meat for each dinner. I looked at the giant slab of roast beef on my plate last night and thought she was insane. Every night?? It took a while but I ate it all. There were two cups of vegetables to go with it too. Gracious.
This won't last long, just until our next appointment in two weeks. Then we can formulate something less restrictive in menu. It does pretty effectively cut out any hopes of dinning out for me though, and will make event weekends somewhat challenging.
The doctor (now to be referred to as "Dr. Slimming") and her nurse were both shocked about the words our regular doctor (Dr. Everyday) had said to me as well as with his ignorance about weight management. Dr. Slimming muttered to herself that she "needs to meet this Dr. ____." Since they are both in the same umbrella medical organization (Sentara Health Care), I have a feeling that his next company-mandated annual class may be in a subject not of his own choosing.
For the next two weeks I shall be on a rather restricted meal plan. This will enable Dr. Slimming to compare my original fasting bloodwork to what will come from the carefully-controlled foods, giving her a good idea of my overall metabolic functions so we can work out a comfortable meal plan for the future. One thing she said to me surprised me. She said that most medications commonly prescribed for diabetes will stimulate even more insulin production in low-edge-diabetic (that'd be me) patients, which results in higher daily hunger levels and also causes the body to be more efficient than ever in converting and storing fat. So it isn't uncommon for new diabetics to begin to gain weight even though they are eating less than they had previously.
I am eating a LOT of food (comparably). More bread in a day than normal, that is for sure, even if it is "45 calories per slice". At 20g of carbohydrates for two slices, it seems dangerous! I have to eat two-four slices a day. And three eggs each morning, unless I prefer a low-fat yogurt, a serving of (hospital brand, extraordinarily expensive) oatmeal, and a small fruit. I've not had a doctor suggest that many eggs in a week, much less on a daily basis. It seems very odd. I'm sure I am going to be very tired of those two meals by the end of the study period.
There is not to be any cooking with oil, not even olive oil. I had to buy some of that spray stuff (which is, btw, oil) to use. No butter, either. It appears that one of the things important in this two-week diet is an almost total elimination of fat. Lean meats only, low calorie cheese (45 calories per slice, which is less than useless in flavor as far as I am concerned.), and no other dairy.
Eight to ten ounces of cooked meat for each dinner. I looked at the giant slab of roast beef on my plate last night and thought she was insane. Every night?? It took a while but I ate it all. There were two cups of vegetables to go with it too. Gracious.
This won't last long, just until our next appointment in two weeks. Then we can formulate something less restrictive in menu. It does pretty effectively cut out any hopes of dinning out for me though, and will make event weekends somewhat challenging.
