Comments on: High Insulin Levels Stop Fat Loss and Cause Weight Gain

By: Ios On Android Phone

Ios On Android Phone — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:23:12 +0000

I've noticed that italian diet is all carbs and high glycemic index foods: pasta,pizza & gelato.. and yet most italians are not fat! and most don't even workout!

By: crossfitgirl

crossfitgirl — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:30:01 +0000

This is a great article! I eat paleo but I still was not losing weight because I was eating dried and fresh fruit. I had my blood glucose levels tested and it was 41 after two hours! That is almost coma! My body was so stinker sensitive to carbs that it spiked my insulin so high. No wonder I couldn't lose weight! Its definitely not calories in calories out. I'm an athlete and train harder and more frequently than a lot of people but it just shows how nutrition is 98% of the equation. I try to get this through my client's heads but they still struggle with the concept. For sarah I've learned that I cannot compare the "healthy diets" of others with my body. For me I literally have to eat plain chicken and lettuce. Most people would lose weight if they ate half as well as me but for my body i have to be extra strict! Its hard but it can be done. What's healthy for one person may not be for another. Try sticking to only leafy greens and lean protein. Try limited amounts of good fat like olive oil and coconut oil. Paleo is a good way to start!

By: TRIGYY

TRIGYY — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:45:09 +0000

once again. the insulin level most important in our life..

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:33:47 +0000

I was recently tested and my insulin level is 48, which is really high. I am scheduled to do more test this coming week. However, I started a no carb diet since I found out about my insulin level and I feel better. I think this article is the best I have read so far. It is very clear and I so can relate.
Thank you for putting this out.

By: Kyung

Kyung — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:43:58 +0000

Re: Sara;

Peas and green beans are great veggies, but in moderation. You should probably opt for broccoli, and leafy veggies instead. I'm not sure if it would make a huge difference, but it's a suggestion.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:50:40 +0000

I don't know if anybody stil even reads this, much less comment, but I need some help. I'm 18 years old, 5'8", a size 16, and a former gymnast. I've had knee reconstructive surgery, diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and recently have been told my insulin levels are 7x higher than a normal person, however my blood sugar is perfect.

I need help. I've been trying and trying to lose weight.. I reduce my carb intake drastically, and replace it with forms of chicken and green vegetables such as peas and green beans. I go to the gym for a 20 minute aerobic workout 3x a week, but I'm not seeing any results. I've been overweight since I was 12, and I want to be a size 6. If anybody knows how to help with these ridiculously high insulin levels and losing a lot of body fat, please help me!

By: Monday April 18th, 2011 | 1884 CrossFit

Monday April 18th, 2011 | 1884 CrossFit — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 03:06:11 +0000

[...] Learn a bit about your insulin. [...]

By: Brack Smith

Brack Smith — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:35:14 +0000

We have started to avoid white bread in our house. Just this simple adjustment has been extremely beneficial to our family. It has made going to our local seafood possible since they do wheat noodles with most of their dishes.

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 05:33:03 +0000

Hello Rusty, I just happened on to this site , So glad I did, I have been dieting for about five years and can not lose weight so nagging the doctors on WHY I can't lose weight and she ran lots of test and just came back with this high insulin and put me on Metforman . I am lost on what diet is best for me and I know nothing about the GI diet or what to do. I could sure use some help as I am discouraged.
Thanks Happy Holidays Much appreciated !!!!

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:39:37 +0000

Rusty, I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate if you could please answer:

1) What does the body burn when insulin levels are high? If you would normally burn say 50 kcals in an hour, but your insulin levels are high, what would you be burning instead? Surely the body needs energy from somewhere?

2) Why do bodybuilders take exogenous insulin if it burns muscle?

If you could also respond to Keith's comment then that would be great. Cheers.

By: Veronica Guzman

Veronica Guzman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:32:42 +0000

I was just a told that I should lower my insulin in order to loose weight, and correct a few other health issues, but they didn't explain why or how. Mind you, this was a physician.

Thank you for writing this article! It was very informative in my search on how to lower my insulin. Much appreciated…

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:36:12 +0000

Rusty, would you say you changed your view on insulin by now. People such as John BArban and Brad Pilon both state that insulin does that matter at all, and that you will lose weight even if you eat white bread all day long, as long as you are in a caloric deficit.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:47:29 +0000

Where can I find the list of foods that are Low GI?

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:47:15 +0000

I wonder if I can run a four hour glucose tolerance test on you guys? LOL that's fantastic. Glamorous. My family typically runs with autoimmune deficiencies; while mine is spiked as a result of my active lifestyle (and spiked immune system). I believe in working hard, that's how I condition and still after sports and the Army — even if the stress levels produces that fat hormone (which I need to get checked). Today, I'm being checked for pancreas cancer. What I do know – in contrast to my pessimism – is that you probably are [not] glucose intolerant because you exercise. Its obvious, because you are all so cheerio; the opposite may, symptomatically, constitute a hypoglycemic problem (o' vanity). What a wonderful wright – to think I was allowing myself to get fat drinking beer, and spiking my insulin levels; because I was doing nothing. Watch out for hyperthyroid. Blessings.

By: Katelyn

Katelyn — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:13:38 +0000

This is why I eat a zero carb diet. Meat only. No need to count carbs, eat 6 meals a day, care about the GI index. No carbs are needed for endurance or weightlifting. I do intense weightlifting and cardio intervals 4 days a week on zero carbs. I am 5'4" and 100 lbs., flat, lean stomach and I have defined shoulders, triceps and biceps. I would advise everyone to ditch carbs, eat only protein and fat (mostly saturated). Your energy will skyrocket (the body prefers fat not carbs for energy) and you will get super lean while RETAINING muscle mass.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:23:26 +0000

This is pretty spot-on although I question your advising people to eat carb-heavy foods at night, post workout. I personally have found that if I am going to eat carb-heavy fooods that lead to an insulin spike, it is best to do so in the early hours of the day. Eating them at night, in my opinion, is not the best idea and I try very had to limit carbs at night.

That said, you obviously know your stuff and walk the talk, so to speak, so I guess it is really a "to each his own" kind of thing. I just don't find it works for men when really trying to lean out.

Tom

By: C

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:09:03 +0000

Hi! I'm finding your page to be soo informative. Kind of answers my questions of why I have such a high body fat % (obese?) but only look slightly chubby. Can you please post a typical day's diet? I eat 3 meals a day plus usually 2 snacks. Thoughts? What would be "typical"??? Thanks!

By: Lurker

Lurker — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:42:01 +0000

Hey Rusty,

I've read many different sites about the "right" time to eat meals (including yours of course). There has always been one thing that bothered me about this idea: wouldn't I burn the same number of calories no matter when I ate?

Let me just elaborate a bit:

If I followed your suggestion (i.e., not eating before exercising), then I'm burning fat when I exercise. However, I would still need energy for the rest of the day, which would presumably come from the food I ate after exercising.

But, lets say I went against your suggestion (i.e., eat a meal and then exercise soon after). Then I'm burning off the energy in the food I just ate during the exercise. However, I would still need energy for the rest of the day, so where would I get this energy? If we make a simplifying assumption that my food provided exactly enough energy for my workout, then wouldn't my body turn to burning fat to get the necessary energy?

In a given day, I would think that my body uses the same number of calories regardless of when I ate. As well, I would think that the number of calories I ingest is independent of when I ingest them (e.g., a Big Mac is 540 calories whether I eat it in the morning or afternoon). If we assume that I consume the same amount of food either way, and exercise the same amount either way, then it seems (calories_in – calories_out = constant).

Just to be clear, I'm not picking on you, this is just a question that I've always had about the idea of a "right" time to eat meals.

Thanks,
Lurker

By: Gigi

Gigi — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:09:49 +0000

Hello Rusty,
I'm new to your site and have read quite a few comments in search for the answers to my questions. I'm really confused about so many things I've read. So let me just ask specifically my questions about losing weight and working out. Please excuse me if you've heard all this before, but I really need some answers once and for all.
I am 5'2' weigh 195 pounds. Yes, obviously I have a lot of weight to lose! : ) I've done a lot of yo-yo dieting throughout the years and as a result have lost muscle and gained more fat EVERYWHERE. I've been diligently working out 5-6 days a week after reading that it takes 3500 calories to burn 1 pound of fat. Here is a sample of a typical week at the gym:
day 1: 30 min. circuit training, arms & back (15 reps, 4-5 sets @ 10-20 lbs)
45 – 60 min. interval program (level 1 & on elliptical

day 2: 30 min. circuit, legs (same as arms, but 20-50 lbs),
45 – 60 min. interval program (level 1 & on elliptical

day 3 – 6: alternate and repeat day 1 & 2

day 7: OFF

I really want to be healthy and lose the excess weight once and for all. I'm really confused if maybe I'm working out in the right way to lose weight steadily (and quickly) and to gain muscle tone at the same time. (is this even possible???) What is also the best way to eat? I've cut down my portions and trying to eat 5 mini-meals. Trying to cut down on bad carbs, but I admit not always successful! Do I have to worry about food combinations?
I've also noticed the "ammonia sweat smell" after working out. Is this a bad thing and I'm I really losing muscle???
Sorry for all the questions, but I've heard so many different things and don't know which way to move forward. I've bought every infommercial product imagineable and like the Michael Thurmond the best, but can't deal with not having sodium in my food.
I need some guidance, please help!!!

Frustrated and lost,

gigi

By: admin

admin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:23:44 +0000

Phil,

You will be good if you keep the GI levels low, even if the carbs are high…just make sure that you burn more calories than you eat each day. For quickest fat loss results don't touch a calorie 4-5 hours before working out.

DonÃ©,

I'll show some photos as soon as my girlfriend gets the camera downloaded. Thanks for the compliments.

What you want to avoid is just sugars and high GI carbs by themselves. You can combine protein and a bit of fat to lower the GI of any food you eat. A good rule of thumb is to not eat carbs by themselves, with the exception of fruit.

Fruit is a different animal because the fiber slows the absorption of the carbs. You could take yohimbe every day as long as it doesn't make you feel too jittery. Yohimbe actually is a substance that actually works better over time. It is slightly unique in this way.

You are a star!

Rusty