Ok, I’m 51 diagnosed with non insulin dependent type 2 diabetes. I ignored it for a few years and my A1C is starting to creep up every year. I do NOT want to become insulin dependent. The first thing I’m doing is losing weight and cleaning up my diet, already started that, I know how to do that. However, here’s the thing, I’m on TRT, and after leaning out I want to put on a little muscle, being middle aged I have no illusions about getting jacked, just want more muscle. How do I eat an excess of calories to gain muscle without exacerbating the diabetes. I mean I could eat mounds of chicken, carbs, fats, and weight gainer and lift heavy, but I’m pretty sure that would lead to more insulin resistance. Is it just a matter of doing a very healthy clean bulk?
I imagine being 300cals surplus daily for a couple months is not going to exacerbate diabetes. This is really all you’d need to help aid muscle growth unless you’re VERY developed. Do yourself a favor and make sure your carb sources are not sugar based.
I think most who have exacerbated their diabetes ate a significant amount of sugars daily, and did so for years.
You may want to consider doing a 2-3 month bout of Keto to help you body adjust to lower insulin levels, but i wouldn’t recommend using this diet long term and i would definitely not recommend it during a bulk.
I am 57 and a type 2 diabetic. I am not on TRT.
Calories in and of themselves will have no impact on your sugar levels. It’s what you eat. I am 5’ 11" and 190 pounds at about 17% body fat. I personally don’t care for a low carb mentality. And I don’t overcomplicate my diet. I just focus on eating healthy foods and a very high amount of protein and I don’t do silly empty carbs like soda or sweets much.
I am not an expert and I am not really at where I want to be yet. I am two years into the same journey you are on I think. I lift often and consistently and I don’t focus on my weight. I just focus on building muscle mass and trimming fat. The weight number is what it is.
And my diabetes has been well controlled for several years now with no insulin.
One of my main driving factors to start lifting was the desire to get a large amount of muscle in my body in a relatively constant mode of consuming the sugar in my body. I run a 5 day a week push pull legs work out. On days I don’t lift I walk.
I will also add that you will be surprised what you can achieve with your body over 50 if you just put your head down and do the work. Don’t assume that you cannot get to where you have a good physique.