David,
I am sure that you will do just fine.
I am sure you have created new healthy eating habits. And look at all the exercise that you do. And it is awesome that you have reached your goal BMI. If your appetite returns you have learned new skills to assist you in this journey to not overeat or eat the wrong things.
Maintaining weight loss has always been a problem for me too. I have been up and down all my life, since 11 years old. I believe there has to come a mindset that we can't go back to our old eating habits even when our appetite returns we have to take control of what we put in our mouth. No one else can do this for us.
I too long for that day to be off of Byetta and maintain the weight loss I will achieve. My weight loss is slow but I am pleased and the biggest thing is my FBS readings are awesome.
Your FBS readings, that in itself should be exciting to you. This is a daily walk with hills and detours but you are an overcomer that has climbed high and will continue to climb higher on this journey.
You can do this!
Be Blessed!
I think the big question is this:
What causes GLP-1 deficiency? I'm sure there are researchers right now working to find the answer. Is it a local effect, in intestinal the L cells, of generalized mitochondrial dysfunction throughout the body? Is there an ingested substance(s) that interferes with signalling to the proglucagon gene? (maybe partially hydrogenated oils, or a type of AGE, or fructose?) I believe the answer to this question will help guide you very specifically as you continue to maintain your weight loss and consider tapering off Byetta. In the meantime, monitor weight daily, avoid partially hydrogenated oils, fructose and AGEs, get in benfo and plenty of other antioxidants in fresh foods and keep on hiking! (you might want to try some cross country skiing this winter?)
The body mass index or BMI is a new term to many people. However, it is the measurement of choice for many physicians and researchers studying weight. BMI uses a formula that takes into account both a person’s height and weight. It works well for just about everyone except for children or body builders and others who are unusually muscular. Websites like nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ make it easy to figure out your BMI, but you can also calculate it without a computer. Here’s one way:
Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
Divide that answer by your height in inches.
Divide that answer by your height in inches again.
The body mass index isn’t perfect. It is a quick and dirty tool that any of us and our doctors can easily and inexpensively use. But it doesn’t predict body fat with complete accuracy. That’s not the point. The point is that a high BMI is an estimate of body fat measured indirectly. The estimate isn’t too good for three groups. For children we need to use a different formula. And for muscular athletes the BMI can lump them into the overweight or obese categories even though most of their extra weight is lean muscle, not fat. Also, some people who score in the healthy BMI area may have a high percentage of body fat and therefore a slightly higher health risk. Nonetheless, if you are an adult who is not particularly athletic, a high BMI needs to be a call to action.
I understand Byetta is a different kind of med, but I stopped taking all meds in January (metformin and a generic statin).
I'd been eating low carb for 4 years and had lost about 50 lbs, but after stopping the meds, I watched my carbs (and where they came from) even more closely (similar to Dr. Bernstein's plan).
My A1c went from 5.8 to 5.0, my triglycerides dropped from 170 to 60, and I lost about 15 more lbs, putting my BMI just under 23.
I wasn't hungry; I had plenty of things to eat that didn't raise my weight and BGLs. It IS possible to lose weight and control BGLs without (or with fewer) meds. It just takes a commitment to eating fewer carbs and kinds of carbs than you might like.
My meter is my guide. I record everything I eat and what my BGL is 2 hours later. If my BGL is over 100, I don't eat that food again. My goal is to keep my BGLs at a truly nondiabetic level of around 85 at all times. It's a lofty goal, but one I'm willing to work toward.
I know you can do this, too, David! You are a great inspiration to others and I hope you can inspire them to lower or get off meds completely. Good luck!
David,
Now that the Byetta and new eating habits have you at the level that allows you to be more functional in everyday living. This is a great moment and I am very sorry that your wife cannot be there to share it with you. Keep in mind to do what you feel is right with regards to your eating habits. You are also in a part of the country that has many areas to hike and enjoy the great outdoors. That should be the greatest reward for your efforts. In addition try and avoid some of the "foods" that tend to drive increased food intake. Please see my recent blog entry on soda pop.
Frank Varon DDS
Dave,
I am Type 1. I get spikes (150-200) 2 hours after a meal and lows (37 - 70) just before each meal. I have tried adjusting my insulin dosing ( I am on Novolog and Levemir) but so far nothing has changed.
Someone recommended that I go on a low carb diet to control my BG but when I do low carb I lose weight due to the significant reduction in calories. I would eat more fat to raise my calories but then my cholesterol would rise. As for eating more protein. I do not appreciate the typical American diet for giant steaks etc.
I am 70 and sedentary. I lost 10 pounds last month. Here is how.
If it tastes good spit it out. 
8am eat a huge breakfast eat till you are comfy, not stuffed. Milk
10am have a piece of fruit or juice
Noon eat something... I like one bread with peanut butter and honey or no- sugar jam or jelly. Milk
2pm fruit or juice of veggies
5pm meat starch veggie and milk. About the suggested diabetic protions. If eating out take at least half home with you and eat it for your next meal. If you are from the south eat it for your next several meals. 
Bedtime usually about 10 have a snack
I like cereal with fruit.
You can always eat more if your tummy is not comfy. Remember it is hard to uneat.
My snack of choice is Beef Jerkey which is waaaay too salty but all protein and low in calories.
Try to keep reg hours and sleep as much as possible and for goodness sake LAFF as much as possible.
Upon review the most important thingy I wrote is the suggestion to LAFF as much
as possible, or at least grin. As soon as I can get my eyes open in the AM I smile
at myself in the mirror. Shudders.
By the By I do not use and "diatetic or
diabetic" food. Whole milk. If I do not
grow my own veggies I use frozen. I love
the frozen stir fry mixes. With raspberry
vinegarette, the gourmet style as it has no unnatural additives. Sneaks a peek at the clock to see if it is Noon yet...nope drat the luck and resigns myself to drooling for an hour.
Upon review the most important thingy I wrote is the suggestion to LAFF as much
as possible, or at least grin. As soon as I can get my eyes open in the AM I smile
at myself in the mirror. Shudders.
By the By I do not use and "diatetic or
diabetic" food. Whole milk. If I do not
grow my own veggies I use frozen. I love
the frozen stir fry mixes. With raspberry
vinegarette, the gourmet style as it has no unnatural additives. Sneaks a peek at the clock to see if it is Noon yet...nope drat the luck and resigns myself to drooling for an hour.
There are some new things I've added that are making my maintenance successful:
Dr. Judith Beck's new book, The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person, which is fantastic for cognitive training. It's a six-week program for your thinking and has been key to staying on track.
And I like my 3 S's: Soups, Smoothies, & Salads. I fill up on these to keep satisfied.
And my favorite new twist before bed: a double serving of diet Jello with two tablespoons of lite Cool Whip on top. It's filling and satisfying for bedtime.
Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS on your improved weight and health!
exercise is the key! Not just the more vigorous exercise of a brisk hike or fast walk, but taking every opportunity you can to move every day. I'm a runner, but I still take a 10-30 minute walk around lunchtime (whatever I can fit in), I walk my dog in the evening and I do strength training at least 2 days a week while I watch TV in the evening. The reality is we were designed by nature to be very physically active creatures. Since it doesn't just come "naturally" in our high tech, modern world, we must build it in deliberately. Good Luck!! Another big help is to focus on caloric density of foods - fill your plate with low caloric density foods (vegetables for example) and still enjoy your favorite high density foods in smaller amounts. Give your self a "break" as well. Have that piece of cake now and then and enjoy every bite.
I have been taking Byetta twice a day since January along with 2000 mg. of metformin. I have lost about 40 pounds and my latest A1C was 5.1, down from 6.1
I asked my endocrinologist if I could lower the dosage of metformin and he said that it was helping with the weight loss and I should continue taking Byetta and metformin. My bmi is 24 and I am a 60 year old female. I am 5ft.10 in. tall and I cannot lose much more weight. I am wondering what the future will bring if I continue with these medications.
My appetite is basically non existent. At times I miss a dose of Byetta and it doesn't seem to change the amount of food I consume or desire. I doubt that this would be the case if I stopped the Byetta entirely.
When I began taking Byetta, I inquired how long I would need to take it and the doctor replied, "Forever".
My sugar levels were not extremely high but were consistently 140-150. I controlled them at first with a modified Atkins regimen called The Carbohydate Addict's diet formulated by the Hellers.
At thet time, I did not even realize I was diabetic. I lost about 20 pounds and although I was not thin, I was happy with the results. It was an easy diet to follow. I wonder if it would prove to be a good maintenance regimen.
Numbness in both feet was my wake-up call that I was really a Type II diabetic. My younger brother has had amputations as a result of diabetes and I became very proactive about it.
As time went on, the sugar levels crept up to the 150's and I started the metformin.(500mg) When I went to the endocrinolgist he upped the dosage to 2000. After about 6 months, I asked for Byetta and it has worked wonders.
I guess I'm wondering will the weight loss stop and also will I need so much medication? Perhaps a solution is to go to 5mg of Byetta as a maintenance dose.
Thank you for your information about Byetta. I have you and a friend who got your newsletter to thank.
I am thrilled about the weight loss but even more that the sugar levels are "normal".
What is your feeling about the high metformin dosage and how will you determine whether you can stop the Byetta?
Diets and diet aids do not help anyone. The only way to successfully lose weight and get the body that you want is by using the right information. This information can be found in the book Lose Weight Using Four Easy Steps which can be ordered through the website www,bbotw.com Everyone who has gotten a copy of this book is now healthier.
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I think most people do regain at least a little weight when they reach their goal.
Maybe the solution would be to go 5 or 10 pounds below your goal. Then you could regain that amount without worrying.
The problem, of course, would be if you got into the habit of doing whatever it was that made you regain that 5 or 10.