New to diet...questions about weight loss and diabetes...

[Guest guest]

My husband and I started on this diet about 2 weeks ago and it is going fine so

far. We began the SCD diet because of my husband's digestive issues, after

speaking to someone who had similar symptoms and found relief and restored

health and recommended BTVC.

I have a family history of diabetes on my Paternal side. All extended family on

my father's side has type 2 diabetes, my grandmother and many of her extended

families have died from complications and my father is beginning to see some

complications as well. As an adult, over the last 10 years or so, I have been

very conscientious of that fact. I am only 39, will be 40 in December. I am

about 50lbs overweight, not extremely obese, but it's all that belly fat as is

typical of insulin resistant or prediabetic people. I am committed to avoiding

or preventing this disease. I've seen what it does, and with proper diet,

nutrition, exercise and lifestyle, I believe it is preventable. So over the

years, I have been taking " babysteps " to improve our diet, doing a lot of

reading and research and over the last few years have made more dramatic

changes, such as switching to raw milk only, soaking and sprouting grains,

eating fermented foods and kefir, using only natural sweeteners, eliminating

MSG, and artificial additives as well as high fructose corn syrup and greatly

reducing...almost eliminating processed foods from our diet. We have a small

farm and raise our own animals for meet naturally on grass without hormones or

medications, and try to eat mostly organic. As a busy home schooling mother of

3, I am sometimes overwhelmed by our busy schedule and stressed out about trying

to come up with creative food ideas that will please the whole family, as well

as fit within our budget. So when I read BTVC, I was concerned that the

rigidity of it just might put me over the edge. lol. Actually the last 2 weeks

have gone just fine. It does require a lot more forethought and preparation

since any prepackaged convenience foods are pretty much out of the question.

Here is my question...I understand the diet is ultimately healthy, and

particularly necessary for healing for my husband. I am wondering if it is

necessarily the best diet for ME, or if I should consider some modifications. I

have been trying to lose weight. About 4 years ago I lost 40lbs through mostly

exercise and sensible eating with reasonable portion control and balancing my

carbs and proteins. Somehow I managed to gain it all back when I stopped being

as committed to exercise and didn't pay as close attention to my diet. I try to

exercise regularly 3-4x a week, either using the treadmill, or our total gym or

some exercise video. My first thought was that in eliminating all grain and

refined sugar, there is no way I would not lose weight too. But then I thought

will all the calories in the nut flours, honey, whole milk, cheeses, legumes,

and nuts actually make me GAIN weight or prevent me from losing. Since the diet

did not specifically speak to diabetic issues, I wondered if perhaps for MY

health I should be taking a different route.

I'm looking for any input. Can I expect weight loss? (I really hate counting

calories, but I'll try to do it if I have to!) I notice when my diet is

restricted, I tend to eat less naturally, and sometimes have to force myself to

eat a meal. I suspect that my calorie intake may be too low at times, and I'm

concerned about THAT affecting my metabolism as well. I'm not sure if it's lack

of hunger, or no appetite for the things I can have or the inconvenience of

necessary preparation. Or in anyone's opinion, should I be seeking more of a

diet suited specifically for the diabetic prone. I have not seen a doctor for a

physical in over 10 years so I have no idea what my levels are on anything.

I appreciate any input or thoughts that might help guide me.

Thanks!