Insulin Resistant

I was watching Dr. Oz yesterday, and I got a better understanding as to why it is difficult for me to lose weight.

I have insulin resistance.

"Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body produces insulin but does not use it properly. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps the body use glucose for energy. Glucose is a form of sugar that is the body’s main source of energy.

The body’s digestive system breaks food down into glucose, which then travels in the bloodstream to cells throughout the body. Glucose in the blood is called blood glucose, also known as blood sugar. As the blood glucose level rises after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin to help cells take in and use the glucose.
When people are insulin resistant, their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond properly to insulin. As a result, their bodies need more insulin to help glucose enter cells. The pancreas tries to keep up with this increased demand for insulin by producing more. Eventually, the pancreas fails to keep up with the body’s need for insulin. Excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes. Many people with insulin resistance have high levels of both glucose and insulin circulating in their blood at the same time.
Insulin resistance increases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Learning about insulin resistance is the first step toward making lifestyle changes that can help prevent diabetes and other health problems."   (National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse)
"Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, affects women of all ages and is one of the outcomes of women with insulin resistance. Women with PCOS often report gaining an unusual amount of weight over a short period of time. Most of those women carry the extra weight around their waist. This rapid weight gain is especially frustrating since it often occurs despite a diligent diet and exercise routine. Rapid weight gain in women with PCOS is linked to insulin resistance, a sustained high level of insulin in the bloodstream. Women with PCOS related weight gain are left wondering what they can do to lose weight or stop further weight gain. Effective solutions to this problem include Diabetes related drug therapy combined with a low carbohydrate diet and exercise program." (Suite101.com)

This is something I have to live with for the rest of my life. My diet and activity has changed dramatically since this past January, but watching my carbohydrates intake is something I must be deligent about.

Today's fuel:  clean eating
Today's Activity: 3.5 mile run outside, arms, upper body

Have a happy and healthy day!