Warning: This is a medical topic post.
So I’ve never considered myself to be a control freak. But there are certain times where being one is a good thing. For instance with my health. In the past year I have gotten so caught up in my writing that I took an ‘I’ll eat whatever the heck I want and never exercise’ mentality with my health. And because of it, my diabetes has become… uncontrolled. I come from a family who got the short end of the stick with health issues, and I developed type 2 diabetes at 23. Anyway, I saw my doctor today (the diabetes was a side topic with the original appointment being an annual fun times in stirrups and no I don’t mean pants.) And I was just a mess.
I mean, for one, I walked in and damned myself before the blood tests could reveal how bad I’ve been with the diabetes. But beyond that, my doctor is leaving. She’s taken a job in Boston and she’s leaving! She’s been my doctor since I became old enough to use my own insurance and choose my own doctor. She’s been through everything with me! From the diagnosis of my diabetes, to me deciding to become a Medical Assistant, to me getting knocked up, to… everything. She’s my buddy. And this was our last appointment. So yeah, I was a bit teary eyed. Didn’t help that I’m pms’ing. She was way too easy on me about the bad health habits though. Saying it’s not easy to be good and beign way too sympathetic. I love her for it, but, I mean, if I were her I would’ve kicked my arse to the curb a long time ago. But she didn’t. In fact she got a little nostalgic too on all we’ve been through. Ah man, I’m teary just thinking about it. Someone get me some damn Midol!
Anyway, I’ve made a couple of changes. I can’t be a vegetarian (I’m so sorry Julie!!!) because I’ve been eating too many carbs that way and it’s probably part of the reason my sugars got high. I’ll still eat more veggie options than meat, but I really need to balance it out with protein when I can force it down (CASHEW CHICKEN!!!) Another change, I’ll be checking my blood sugars twice a day for awhile (so get on my butt and ask if I’ve been doing it!)
Here’s some good news in this Oh God is Shelli dying? No! post. I have still been working out like mad. My friend is pushing me hard and it’s great. My inner thighs are on fire, those machines rock. I was down 5lb in almost 2 weeks when the doctor weighed me today.
So with some exercise and good diet, hopefully… I can become a control freak.
Thanks for letting me blog about something that probably gets everyone all squeeby in their chairs. But really, hopefully I’m helping inspire someone else who’s also fallen off the health wagon.
Ah, sweetheart… *hugs*
I was diagnosed with insulin resistance this past summer. I’m not diabetic now, but I’m at an extremely high risk for becoming so if I don’t watch my diet (and might anyways). Which means I’m on what is essentially a diabetic diet right now.
I understand what you mean about getting caught up in writing and not wanting to eat. I do the same thing and pay for it big time when my blood sugar crashes cause I haven’t eaten in several hours.
Honestly, “diet” is not an evil word. It dose require a lifestyle/mindset shift, because most people think that you go on a diet and go off it when you lose weight, right? Except you can’t do that with something like diabetes, because your diet is controlling a serious health condition.
I would serious recommend looking into the glycemic index diet, which is what I’m using. It works by balancing your blood sugar, which is obviously important for someone with diabetes. I’m sure your local library will have a few books. :)
One of the things I do like about it is that you can have things you technically shouldn’t on the diet… what matters is the amount. Like, I can have the equivalent of a couple tablespoons of mashed potatoes (very bad on the glycemic index) but I can’t have a whole baked potato. (Unless I want to pay for it later. :P)
If you haven’t already, give up sugared drinks on a regular basis. Once in awhile isn’t going to kill you, but I know I’ve felt sooo much better since giving them up. (Even though I dearly miss my Cokes and raspberry sweet tea on occasion.)
Also, if you’re having trouble remembering to eat, I’d suggest trying to get into an eating schedule. You should be eating five to six “small” meals a day as opposed to large ones whenever you get around to it. (I’m still working on that one myself. *whistles*)
So I’d like, set an alarm or such for when you need to get up and make food, that way you don’t get sucked into the story. Also, at least for dinner, crock pots are a lovely thing… put it all on in the morning, let it cook all day, snatch ‘n grab when it’s done in the evening. ;)
For writing, I’d suggest keeping snack food around. Nuts are very good for this. A diabetic friend of mine says that she’s found chocolate-covered nuts good because they have a better mix of sugar, carb, and protein. Personally, I’m partial to fruit myself… berries of all sorts, cherries, etc. I’m sure you’ve got plenty of fresh, organic fruits ‘n veggies in Seattle; at least I remember Pike’s Market carrying a ton yummy fruity goodness last time I was there. *grins*
As always, feel free to drop me an IM… hope this helps some. *big hugs*
Aw, Shelli! That’s okay that you can’t be a vegetarian anymore! The most important thing is your health. It’s easy when trying a new lifestyle to depend on certain foods, and vegetarians are prone to carb overload.
Congrats on losing five pounds! That’s a huge accomplishment!!!
Hey, we’re former cattle and hog producers — we’ll definitely forgive you for not being a vegetarian! :D
And most of us have health issues, Shelli — no squeebing allowed. I had gestational diabetes with all three of my babies and had to give myself insulin shots with the last two. This puts me at high risk for developing diabetes, too.
It’s not fun to have to be so conscientious about your diet. In fact, it’s a pain — it was a lot easier for me to stay on the straight-and-narrow when the life of my child was at risk. But once you’ve been doing it for a while, once it’s become habit, you won’t remember living any other way.
And I can relate to the doctor thing. But my first and favorite didn’t leave town — he just switched to plastic surgery! (You don’t think he got tired of staring between the stirrups, do you?)
Sending hugs!
Aw, take care of yourself, Shelli. Like I’m one to talk - I eat like crap and sit on my butt all night writing! I could never be a vegetarian - I like meat too much and I think I would eat waaay too many carbs too. But that’s just me.
I love that pic - I love the can of WD-40! I wish I could spray some of that on me and I’d be overhauled. LOL
You’re definitely inspiring me Shelli. I’ve definitely gained weight in the past 6 months and I think it’s due to both a new medication and really putting my all into my nearly finished manuscript! Between sitting on my butt and being happy instead of depressed, I think I’m running the risk of diabetes myself. Scary stuff that. So you’re inspiring me to find the time to go to the gym and get a move on. Thanks!
Take care of yourself Shelli!! I’m scared to even go to the MD to find out how unhealthy I’ve let myself become. I need to do something about it.
Congrats on losing 5 lbs. Thats wonderful.
Take care of yourself Shelli. It’s not a big deal that you can’t be a vegetarian, just make sure you eat what your body needs.
I think it’s great that you’re working out too.
Sometimes health issues just find us. In 2006 I started having strange breathing probs. The doctor kept telling me it was allergies and sent me to a specialist. Turns out I don’t have a single allergy! But I do have inflammed nasal blood vessels (ew, I know!) and am so clogged up that it keeps affecting my breathing. Now I have to spray 3 different nasal sprays up my nose every morning and night! I’m feeling better, but still feel clogged up in my nose and throat ALL the time.
We’ll see what he says when I go back at the beginning of Feb. :/
Welcome back to the Nighty Meateating Club. I’m hypoglycemic and follow a low GI diet too. ( I loved the book The Sugar Solution for it’s low GI ideas and references.)
Get healthy. *hugs*
Congrats on the weightloss, Shelli. That’s great. Hugs about the doctor leaving and the blood sugar thing.
I’ve been reading historicals recently, too, after a long drought. I’m reading The Raven Prince and it’s really good so far.
man, sorry about all that!
Might want to check out calorieking.com - I just joined the aussie site and am thrilled with it. It ensures you don’t consume hidden baddies
You’re doing what you can! Keep moving in the right direction.
You rock girl. Sorry your doctor is moving. That’s so tough. Well, you’ve read my blog. It’s not easy to make big changes.
I left you a long reply and it got eaten =(