Monday, June 23, 2014

:: How I’m Getting On- 1st Two Weeks

 

I thought I’d better sit down and write about my first (almost 2 weeks) of adjusting after being told I have T2 Diabetes.   I promise you I don’t want to make every post I write now about my health.  Many of you ask out of concern and some of you have asked for accountability for yourselves and your own health.

I write about my life. This is part of my life. If some or all of this helps someone else—then wonderful. If it’s boring or of no interest to you, that is completely understandable—I hope you will come back to read when I post about other THRILLING and Adventurous details of my life!  {smile}

First off—the first week was interesting as I watched my fasting blood sugar going down every morning by about 10 pts.(average) –just by taking the meds they have given me. Then around Monday of last week… I seemed to hit a plateau—and for 3 days it stayed about the same.  I had decided that in the evenings after the Littles (we babysit our grandkids everyday) go home, that I would swim laps and do some water aerobics in the pool.  My time spent with the kids is ACTIVE… but not really exercise.  So swimming a second time in the evening is nice—but I was out there to get my heart rate up and put forth some real effort.  By Wednesday—and having 3 days of the same number for my A.M. Fast; I was starting to get somewhat discouraged. 

 in the water hole

Wednesday evening—it rained and I wasn’t getting in the pool no way, no how!  Its above ground so—the rain and wind had made the temperature less than comfortable.  I decided to take the advice of many of you and WALK!  I went to You Tube and found Leslie Sansone and began walking.  I did that 3 X this week!  I can honestly say—exercise is key. 

It’s key to feeling better. It’s key to getting your blood sugar lower. It’s key to SLEEP!  Oh my goodness…those days that I walked; I slept so good at night. You’ve all given me such encouragement to exercise; I didn’t think I liked it. But moving makes me feel better. I know this now.

I’d like to walk outside—but when the weather permits I will and I will probably enjoy it much more than inside.

ZOO-EASTON4-GARDEN 083

I will say by Friday of this past week—I felt like crying. Taking meds is easy. Exercising after you figure out a routine that suits you – easy.  The hardest part so far?  FOOD.  I don’t eat CLEAN.By that i mean I eat processed, preservative laden foods.  I’m not a vegetarian.  I’m a meat eater.  I’m not a big cake person. I DO LIKE a SNICKER bar on occasion. I DO like ice-cream every now and again. CHIPS AND SALSA… my go to snack!  I love sweet tea and coffee with creamer!!!! and in the mornings I had grown accustomed to having my coffee with two oatmeal cookies. That’s it really. All other sweets came in the form of HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.  It’s in everything! Salad dressing, A-1 steak sauce… lots and lots of stuff.

I love veggies. I like salad. I didn’t realize how much bread, pasta and rice we ate as fillers.  I’m reading all the labels on everything. I’ve never thought about FOOD so much in my life; as I have the past 2 weeks. Believe me—when I say FOOD IS MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE. 

Another thing I’ve learned?  Do not try and plan a meal or figure out what you’re going to eat—WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY!  It doesn’t work. It only makes you hungrier and angry.  It makes you HANGRY!  Your family doesn’t like you when you’re HANGRY. 

So my challenge now is MENU PLANNING. I’ve found some delish foods to eat and change things up for my breakfast and dinner. I’m finding I like trying new things too. It’s just going to take some time. I have a lifetime of habits to change.

One of the Goals on my list this year was *healthy eating and exercise.  It’s a strange way to go about doing it… but here I am doing it.  I wrote about the Word of the Year ‘Balance’; and had this to say on the matter:

“give my days to LORD, so that at the end of each new day I have something to give back to HIM.”

I give myself very good advice…but very seldom follow it.  I can’t be doing that now. I must stick with the exercise and eating healthy…making it a part of my daily BALANCED life.

Til next time, Be Blessed!



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. ~Psalm 28:7

 

7 comments:

Intentional Living Homestead said...

I hear ya Pat. I am on the verge of T2 diabetes...and I'm also a pasta, carb girl. I am trying to work hard so that I don't have to take insulin or medication. I want to be healthy for my kids and grandkids so everything I eat has to change. I'm not big on exercise either. I'm a work in progress. Praying for you sweet friend.

Hugs,
Connie

Unknown said...

Congrats congrats oh so excited for you. This is such an honor and your home so deserving. I cannot wait to see you in the next issue.
Your Bathroom

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Sounds like everything is working for you. Sometimes we walk outside when we go to gym too.

My Repurposed Life said...

food--snacks my downfall. As I was reading your post, I can so relate. My favorite breakfast food? a chocolate Long John. LOVE them. I buy 6, put them in the freezer and make them last as long as I can. Best? 3 weeks Sat and Sun for 3 weeks. worst? you know it, 6 days. One each morning. I'm starving when I wake up, and I don't drink coffee. I know it can help be an appetite suppressant in the morning.
I have made some changes in recent years, I'm a big coke drinker. I'm down to 1 can a day at lunch. I just don't see me giving them up because it's my only source of caffeine.

So happy you tried Leslie's WATP, and that you are swimming. Wishing you all the best Patricia!

gail

Brenda Pruitt said...

They thought I might have diabetes, so checked me a few weeks ago. Luckily, I did not have it. But the doctor says I'm at high risk. Because of my ankle, I can't get enough exercise. So be glad you can exercise! I'd be out there with you if I could.
Brenda

Claudia said...

Hang in there, my friend. It will get easier. Soon, you won't have to read so many labels - you'll know.

xo
Claudia

Diane said...

It is a big adjustment and a lot to think about all of a sudden. Hang in there. It will get easier over time.