Losing weight with insulin resistance is more difficult because your body converts blood sugar into fat instead of energy. The solution? For a start, reducing the sugar and processed carbohydrates in your diet while increasing healthy fats (such as in nuts, avocados, and fish) along with vegetables and whole grains.
But that doesn't mean abdominal weight gain should be ignored. It can be an early sign of so-called "diabetic belly," a build-up of visceral fat in your abdomen which may be a symptom of type 2 diabetes and can increase your chances of developing other serious medical conditions.
As an example, a sedentary man with obesity who weighs 250 pounds would need to eat 10 calories per pound, which totals 2500 calories, per day to maintain his weight. To lose 1 to 2 pounds per week, he should reduce his intake to 1500 to 2000 calories per day.
Excess insulin around your body makes it hang onto the fat. Exercise can signal the liver to burn the nearby visceral fat. Combining moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walks, and strength training works the best.
Abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat or central obesity, is associated with insulin resistance (body not absorbing insulin), high glucose levels and hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels in the body), which ultimately results in diabetes.
Metformin may also reduce weight by decreasing the amount of visceral fat in the liver and muscle tissue. Visceral fat is stored within the abdominal cavity, which contains several internal organs, including the liver, stomach, and intestines. It can also build up in muscles including the heart muscle.
When the bloodstream has excess blood sugar and insulin, the body is signaled to store sugar. Some sugar can be stored in the muscles and liver; however, most sugars are stored as fat when they have nowhere else to go. Thus, people with diabetes are more likely to be overweight or obese than those without the disease.
Larger waists can mean higher risk of heart disease. It can also mean higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. If you are apple-shaped but not overweight –– meaning your body mass index (BMI) is under 25 — you are still at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes than people with smaller waists.
People with diabetes can easily get wounds on their feet. Improper cutting or care of toenails and feet is the leading cause that could lead to toe finger and foot amputation.
In studies Lilly submitted to the FDA, the company showed that Mounjaro—which is already approved for treating Type 2 diabetes—can lower body mass among users at its highest dose by up to 15%.
Losing weight with insulin resistance is more difficult because your body converts blood sugar into fat instead of energy. The solution? For a start, reducing the sugar and processed carbohydrates in your diet while increasing healthy fats (such as in nuts, avocados, and fish) along with vegetables and whole grains.
These injectable drugs include dulaglutide (Trulicity), liraglutide (Victoza), and semaglutide (Ozempic); the latter is also available as a pill called Rybelsus. Liraglutide and semaglutide are also approved for weight loss, in formulations marketed respectively as Saxenda and Wegovy.
Stay hydrated
Aim for at least eight cups of water per day and try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
The worst fruits for people with diabetes include mango, jackfruit, banana, chikku and grapes. These fruits are high in sugar and low in fiber.
Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.
Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure.
Even though metformin may lead to some weight loss, the amount you lose may be far less than expected. On average, weight loss after one year on the drug is only six pounds, according to past research.
Current evidence suggests that the weight change associated with metformin is more likely to be due to decreased caloric intake versus increases in energy expenditure. Metformin appears to impact appetite regulation both directly and indirectly due to its gastrointestinal side effects.