It's More Than A Full Time Job

There is that motivational poster. You know, the one with the ice berg. The top of the iceberg that anyone can see, sticking out of the water is labeled success. Below the water, much bigger in size, is labeled hard work, focus, failure, dedication, persistence and whatever else got the person there. I feel like it is used a lot for sports and academics for success there. But it is essentially diabetes, the numbers, and how the person got there.

A couple months ago I had an a1c of 7.1 which is a very good level for anybody. I was disappointed since I had been in the 6's. I knew I had slacked off for awhile. after seeing that number the perfectionist in me came out. Recommendations were given by my endo and I took off with them.

I started trying to give my insulin at least 15 minutes before I ate which helped not having a spike. Then I wouldn't get angry at seeing my dexcom numbers all over the place, become bummed, and stop wearing it. I also gave myself a personal goal of being below 200, 90% of the time. Started working out more. 3 whole months. Nonstop. And I achieved what I wanted to do. Though trying to be perfect comes at a cost. The worry then is hypoglycemic unawareness, a discussion for another day.

It was hard not becoming obsessed over every number. A goal was to be good, but not so much that I was going to burnout. Burnout happens to every diabetic at some point in their life. There is no vacation. Actually it's more work to go on vacation. This disease doesn't ever stop, even when you sleep.

For the normies out there, don't look at a diabetics number and freak out or criticize. That betic may have tried so hard for the day to even get a number in the low 200's or an a1c lower than their last. They should be able to feel good about whatever they accomplish. Its called "checking" because "testing" means there is a pass/fail point.

Everyone's goal is not going to be exactly the same. Believe in yourself and you can do it. Be proud of what you accomplish. Keep your chin up and stay positive my friends.

Capri Sun- A Workout Necessity

Squat 12 reps of 115, rest. Squat 10 more of 120, rest. Squat a final set of 125, drink capri sun. This is basically my workout routine. Now I do a bit more than that before I really need my sugar, but it probably seems very out of place and a no no to people who are heavy into working out.

I used to go to Title Boxing classes which are amazing. Very strenuous exercises for an hour nonstop. Amazing for getting into shape, except for the fact that no matter what I did with my insulin or ate before the workout, I could never keep my sugar up. I was the only one on the sidelines chugging capri sun after capri sun, granola bar after granola bar all while my pump was on suspend. I finally gave up.

I have been trying to lose weight. Other than working out I have been counting calories. If I didn't have time to prepare for my workout well in advance it can be a struggle. Some days it seems I have to leave one full meals worth of calories just for the snacks I need to keep my sugar up to complete my workout. I use myfitnesspal app to help count my calories, and when I have to have too many snacks during a workout, I don't log that food. I essentially lie to the app. I make up the thought in my mind that the calories didn't count because they were needed to save my life. That is probably not helping my weight loss journey.

When I am very unprepared my snack choices seem even more out of place. Its whatever I can get my hands on. One workout I was chewing skittles furiously hoping the taste of the rainbow could save me. It did, a little too much at that.

Living with diabetes is a complete trial and error. It is a science to figure out. Worst part is that what works one day might not work the next. What works for one person does not work for another.

Don't ever give up. Exercise of any kind can have an overall positive impact on your levels.

Keep you chin up and stay positive.

No Such Thing as a Diabetic Diet

Some of you may have just read that and thought "You are crazy, there is a diabetic diet". But no there is not. There is no such thing as a diabetic diet. That was one of the first things that was said in my nursing school lecture on this disease. A " diabetic diet" is simply a healthy diet that everybody should be eating.

There are a lot of people who see me eating a cookie or donut and immediately say "You shouldn't be eating that, you have diabetes". Serious or jokingly it can start to get old. Especially after hearing it for the past 16 years. I am allowed to eat anything I want, I just have to think about it a little more than the normies(a person without diabetes) out there. Everything in moderation is recommended for everyone.

People assume that I shouldn't be eating any sugar at all. The reality is that sugar is saving my life most of the time. I mean just look in the diabetic section of the store, you find almost straight sugar in gels, drinks, and tabs. They might come back and say that those are fine, but candy is super unhealthy for me.

With that being said people need to get a reality check. Candy and sweets are just as unhealthy for them as it is for me. A good rule of thumb for all the normies out there is to not say anything at all. Example, if someone brings a plate of cookies into the room and out of the 12 people only one is diabetic and everyone else is healthy, don't say anything to the diabetic. If you aren't going to criticize everybody "healthy" in the room for eating that same cookie then don't criticize the diabetic. The diabetic probably knows more about their health than you know about your own. And they know they are eating a cookie, they aren't dumb.

Hell for all you normies know, that chocolate donut with chocolate frosting just might be saving my life.

By the way I love cookies and donuts.

Keep your chin up and stay positive. Don't let the normies get you down.