Hi! I’m just looking to connect with other type 1s who have successfully lost weight. I’m so far on a successful path, but am just so frustrated about the constant lows. I’m constantly adjusting my insulin lower which I know is good and healthy but it’s so annoying to have to change it every week it feels like. I’m starting to add activity in and that’s literally killing my blood sugar (doing temp basal but playing around with the perfect number for me and a small snack if needed before). I’m just sick of going low daily. Sick of gluc tabs or juice to get myself up when I’m not hungry. Basically I just want to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and that as my weight loss slows my insulin sensitivity will at least become more predictable. When I was heavier, I had controlled diabetes and my A1C was 7.2. I went low maybe once or twice a month. With weight loss I’m about to go low or go low daily. Thankfully with a cgm, I’m able to stop a true dangerous low from occurring, but still frustrating. I’m changing my basal almost every 5-7 days and now am trying IC ratios since I’m starting to go low an hour or two hours after eating. I just really want encouragement that it’s all worth it and that my diabetes will become more predictable again. I’m happy with my A1C on this weight loss journey since I’m in the 6s now and my yearly labs where they test your organs were great, but just really need some reassurance that I’ll somehow figure this out and be in charge of my diabetes again.
Hi @Tee25 . Congratulations on your weight loss and your A1Cs. May I ask how much weight you’ve lost since when, and how much you’re losing a week, and how much more you’re planning (I know, I’m being nosey). Figuring out basal rates and carb ratios with exercise is a very frustrating matter of trial and error. Do you use a pump? If you use Tandem with Dexcom’s CIQ don’t forget to update your weight now and then - I don’t know how but apparently it factors into its calculations. You also need to verify total daily insulin, and I imagine yours has dropped somewhat since you’re adjusting your basal rate frequently.
If you’re losing weight fast maybe your body doesn’t have time to “settle in” before changing again. Hopefully your insulin needs will level out once you hit your target and you’ll find some settings that hold and you can relax for a while.
Just some theories from a fellow Type1 - I’m not a doctor so make sure your team is in the loop.
Thank you! Not nosy at all. I’m down 23 pounds since the first week of January and have about 20 more pounds to lose. Typically I’m losing anywhere from 1-2 pounds a week.
I have an omnipod and Dexcom so I’m unable to do that unfortunately.
My endo team has been great with it we’ve been emailing on a weekly basis and have an appointment with them on Wednesday. Just so crazy how 1-2 pounds is considered average but it just increases your sensitivity like crazy
It’s surprising what a big difference a couple of pounds can make! I’m glad you’re in regular touch with your team and will see them soon. Keep up the good work - it’s frustrating but you don’t have too much further to go!
If I’m counting correctly, it’s only 11 weeks since the beginning of January, which means you’re losing slightly more than 2 lbs per week. That’s tremendous — congratulations! It’s seriously tough to lose weight, period, much less while managing your blood sugar.
And I know plenty of people who would call 2 lbs/wk aggressive. 1/2 to 1 lb/wk is more realistic for a lot of folks, especially as they get closer to their goal weight. So if you can hold that pace throughout, then good for you, but don’t beat yourself up if it slows down as you get closer to those last few pounds, either. The last few are the hardest for most everyone.
I don’t have any real advice, I’m afraid, but I can absolutely validate for you that what you’re doing is an accomplishment! Way to go, and keep up the great work!
Thanks Leah! I ended up losing 60 pounds this year 
I do agree lower carb helps with the weight loss, but now that I’m in maintenance mode I have noticed I can totally tolerate 50-60 grams at one time and I’m not gaining weight- for me it’s more about where those carbs come from versus the actual number I eat. My blood sugar control personally is better though if I stick between 35-45 grams per meal probably because when I do do higher carb meals they tend to be high fat/high protein/high carb choices which is something I’m still trial and erroring with. Weight loss is tricky with type 1 but definitely doable!
Do you mind describing what you did to lose the weight? I walk at least 20 minutes 5 out of 7 days a week (I work full-time so more than that is not doable) and am careful about what I eat (have to being a T1), but over the years the weight has just creeped on. It’s depressing as hell.
I actually followed WW! It worked for me because I felt like I could build it into my lifestyle and I wasn’t depriving myself of anything. Looking back on it what it really taught me was realistic portion sizes and everything is okay in moderation but really made me think hard on choices I made especially when I was out to eat. As I started losing, my insulin needs went down and I don’t know if it’s coincidence or not but the lower my insulin needs are the easier it is for me to lose weight and keep it off. But that could also be explained by my increased veggie/fruit intake and less processed stuff in general. I’d definitely reccommend WW to anyone as it’s the only weight loss thing I’ve ever been able to commit to but if you do do it, just be cautioned that your insulin needs will change quick and fast so keeping an extra close eye on your insulin rates is definitely needed!
I actually went from 205 to 155 over a period of about 2 years. Had 3 cardiac stents put in and i made the commitment. I have kept the weight off for about 6 more years so far. Initially I was extremely careful what I ate and trying to find a way to exercise around working 1 full time job and often a few hours extra at 2 part time jobs. I got hooked on walking somewhere near the beginning when I saw that my then new galaxy 5 phone was tracking my steps. I slowly built up and used the step counter to challenge myself. Whether it be in steps or miles. I like to set my self a minimum and occasionally challenge myself usually on weekends. I don’t often have the time to do many big walks right now but break it up into many small ones. (park the car in furthest spot, go to the furthest rest room etc. ) Since December I have not walked less than 5 miles a day. about 11000 steps for me.) Initially I was on MDI but was running into issues with running low too much. (A1c was 6.1 then) Switched to medtronics 670 now 770 about 4 years ago A1 c now 7.5. Initially I had some problems with hypoglycemia with the pump, but currently not too much. If I am going to walk at a good pace for more than 15 to 20 minutes I make sure that the temp basal on the pump is on and eat an extra 20 carbs without bolusing If at lunch and I eat 40 grams of carb I’ll bolus for 20 carbs and see how that goes. I will usually do a blood glucose about an hour after I’m done to bolus from in case i have not walked it off. Most times I don’t have to take any extra insulin. Currently I have been maintaining my weight and not really watching what I eat (except to control my diabetes)