When I first heard about a new diet that is tailored to suit your individual metabolic profile, I was skeptical. Was this just the newest trend in the billion-dollar weight loss industry that would, in the end, only give short-term results?
Six months ago I was sitting in my doctor’s office waiting to see one of his associates. I had been going round and round for at least six months trying to get my blood pressure under control, a condition that was discovered during a trip to the emergency room for x-rays.
I had been on three different medications already, and though lower, none of the doctors in the office were happy with the numbers. I was sick to death of changing medications, and just all around feeling bad. It was to the point I honestly felt I would be better off if I just had the stroke (so long as it did it me in).
When the doctor came in the office, I expected to hear more of the same. “This medication just isn’t doing it for you, we’re going to have to try something else.” I was completely unprepared for what he actually said. “I was just going over your blood work from your trip to the emergency room. I’m seeing a pattern here and would like to order more blood work.”
“A pattern of what?” I asked. This was the first time I had ever heard the term Metabolic Syndrome.
The doctor went on to explain the key to his suspicion; both my glucose and my insulin counts were high. Insulin resistance is the tell tale sign of this condition.
As he wrote up the order for blood work, he asked me a few questions, or rather identified some truths in my life. “You can diet like mad, and don’t lose a pound, but indulge in the slightest and gain five?” I nodded, but honestly wasn’t impressed. I was more than hundred pounds overweight. Isn’t that typical?
Article comments
1 - dietdoc
Connie,
I wish you all the luck in the world in your efforts to improve your health by modifying your diet and exercise pattern. I am assuming - and you know what they say about doing that - that the evaluation and recommendations including changing your activity level. In my experience, that is key.
Eating specific whole foods at specific intervals is, likewise, essential. Since most of us take some pride in eating "just one meal a day," frequency of intake to 4-6 smaller meals per day makes much more sense, metabolically.
Again, good luck and keep your eye on the prize: that is to say, not weight loss per se, but a healthier, more fit and active body.
Cheers,
Ron
2 - Nancy
Huh! This IS interesting, being someone who's morbidly obese myself. I have a doctor's appt Mon. I'll ask about it. Thanks!
3 - Connie Phillips
Ron,
Yes, Exercise is one of the key elements as well.
I was focusing on the metabolic eating because it is very different from the "diets" of recent years, and when you get into the program, makes more sense then any of them as well.
For me, it took an initial weight loss before I could find the energy to exercise, and the right diet to keep that energy level.
4 - Connie Phillips
Nancy,
Not all doctor's are up to date on metabolic syndrome. Mine is a DO.
Good luck
5 - Stephen Weinberg
That is really great. my girlfriend is a nutritionist and has taken courses on metabolic typing. At first I was skeptical too (especially since for me her recommendation was to eat more red meat and higher fat), but I'm feeling healthier than ever.
It's really nice to see that their is a movement in the medical community to recognize that each person processes food differently and that it isn't just calories in, calories out!
6 - Connie Phillips
Stephan,
If I needed more proof that this is true, I've got it as of late. With the holidays I have been less then faithful to the eating program and can certainly feel it.
When I'm on program, everything is good! That should be reason enough to stay on, but I'm human and it does get difficult.
7 - Christopher Rose
I am on a permanent diet too. As an aid to my discipline, I record everything I eat and my changing body weight and stuff on my 3rd blog, All I Ate Today. It's been going almost 5 months now and the dieting for about 16 months. So far I've lost about 12 kilos but it hasn't been easy.
8 - Haley
Unfortunately for those afflicted with it, metabolic syndrome is not well-known. And by not knowing that they have it, people continue to lead obese, sedentary lifestyles.
9 - Connie Phillips
You're right, Haley, not many doctors are recognizing it. Shamefully, I've been off track for a while now, and have un-done a lot of the progress I've made, including a return of the high blood pressure. I'm trying to get myself back on track, and hopefully can get things back under control.
Christopher (don't know how I missed this when you first posted), but congrats and hope you are still doing well with your program.
10 - Jerry Beach
This reply comes sometime after the last posted comment but hope you are doing well and are still able to follow your metabolic diet laid out for you. I have been in deep study of alternative medicines, botanical medicines and TCM for a while when I came across "Metabolic Typing" Metabolic typing appears to support the base theory in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) that if your body receives what it needs then it will take care of itself notwithstanding outside attacks from injuries to virual and bacterial assults. There are many in the allopathic field that believe Metabolic Typing is just another bogus modality perpetuated to clear your pocket book. They also believe that acupressure, acupunture, chiropratic, homeopathy and naturopthaty and anything else not chemical based and symptom specific are all bogus too!! I was really glad to see that an MD suggested this for you as the procedure just makes too much sense not to be valid. From one who is probably going to get certification in Metabolic Typing I wish you a long, happy and health filled life. Jerry
11 - Connie Phillips
I wish I could say I hadn't allowed myself to slip as far as I did. First it was the holiday baking last year, that gave way to summer and ice cream.
The thing is, the farther I strayed and the more I ate foods that I knew were my triggers...the more I ate.
Return of high blood pressure, painful joints, etc, etc.
I started back on program a few weeks ago and it still amazes me how quickly everything turns around when I just avoid the fat and the salt. You would think the all around better feeling would be enough to keep me on track.
12 - duane
I do quite a bit of typing on the job, and it sure does burn a lot of calories. That's surprising, since I sit in an air-conditioned office in one of those ergonomic chairs all day. You wouldn't think you could burn calories that way, but there ya go. If someone would invent metabolic driving or metabolic movie watching, I would probably blow away in a light breeze.
13 - Tim
Connie, glad that it worked to improve your health. In my opinion it is more of a lifestyle than a diet it a way. When that changes, our body is able to heal or fix itself. Read my story at How I Personally Discovered Customized Nutrition