Nutrition Counseling with a Registered Dietitian– Defined as: One who is trained or expert in the field of food and nutrition and…

— who advises on matters of foods and their impact on one’s health. A registered dietitian promotes good health through proper eating. That’s what I need, I told myself, and off to The Diabetes Education Center I went!  I had an appointment with one of their dietitians and it was wonderful.

Diabetes is a disease and I needed/wanted a health specialist. It was an outstanding visit. (I’ve been there before, over the years; sometimes you just need a tune-up.  This was one of those times.)  I AM dedicated and determined, that’s for sure.

I’m trying desperately to get off the Metformin — and attempting to be realistic at the same time. Maggie, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, helped me step back into reality. Reviewing my file, she complimented me on my A1C and pointed out that we were having a conversation similar to some we’d had years ago, when I first started.  Oh NO!  

I have this (flawed) theory that less is better. In other words, less food (carbs, etc.) will help to keep me on track. Thus, I’m probably not eating enough!  Then, when hunger strikes, guess what happens?  

CRAVING ATTACKS!  She’s right, of course. That evil sugar beast  creeps into my head and won’t leave until I cave. An attack on my blood sugar levels!!! Ugh… If you’ve been there, you know what I mean.

We talked about alternatives that will help the cravings to subside (I still use my Grapefruit Oil, which provides laughs for my friends. But, guess what? It helps me! See post dated: Nov. 21, 2015). This was a suggestion from a friend and guru of all things alternative.

Maggie helped me sort out a multitude of food choices that will get/keep me on track. I’ll get back to you with a TON of information that she gave me; tomorrow, if possible.  But for now — it’s dinnertime, and I have to move on with some healthy choices.  🙂

Keep the faith, fellow T2D’s!  …and to Maggie, THANKS A MILLION!!!

IMPORTANT:  Check with your physician before making ANY changes to your diabetic treatment plan.

PORTION CONTROL — Name of the Game —

Sunday, September 18, 2016

It’s the name of the game in “beating” my Type 2 Diabetes, and I seem to be mastering it. I’m working on controlling my “portions” of everything;  probably why I’m so focused.

Because I’m downsizing and purging my house, I’m constantly evaluating what I NEED and don’t need. I’ve been in this house for 37 years so, trust me, that’s a LOT of stuff! Thanks to tips from minimalist, Billy from Simple Living Over 50, I’m progressing. His blog is amazing  — check it out, you won’t regret it.

So, basically, what I’m doing is controlling my “portions” in terms of what I really need (things), along with food. Watching what and how much I’m eating has gone a long way to lowering my A1C. It’s helping and I’m hoping that I can hang on to this discipline. This is the balance that I need in my life. Managing my diabetes and my environment will certainly help to achieve the balance that I yearn for. I’m following this path now, and this T2D is dedicated and determined to live a balanced and minimalistic life. 

I’m reading, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing), by Marie Kondo. 🙂  I have a shelf packed with books on decluttering (they’re going!), but this one is unique — she has a completely different method of decluttering and I’m taking it on!  Attacking my kitchen cabinets is next. I know there are LOTS of items that are well past their dates — OUT they go. I can’t wait to have room in the cabinets that I WILL NOT FILL! I’m going to leave room for the food to “breathe.”  🙂

Seriously, I’m so thrilled that I’ve finally discovered that less really IS more — it gives ME room to breathe.  I’m on a roll, wish me luck!

PORTION CONTROL — the name of the game!

 

DIABETES — It’s Complicated…

Thursday, March 24, 2016

…but, I’m using my BRAIN!  You know, to sort things out, organize my diabetic needs, in the interest of good health.  In my prior post, I spoke about responsibility.  Sleep habits, healthy foods, and exercise, fall into that category and MUST be a priority in my life and, I  accept complete responsibility for each sector.  This really IS the way to good diabetes management and great glucose levels.

I walked this morning — first thing.  Ugh. I hated every minute, but I did it; NO CHOICE.

Started WALKING — again!

Food planning, I’ve FINALLY accepted it is imperative to avoid “slips.” I went shopping today with lunch and dinner menus a priority.  My freezer is chock full of chicken and fish, so my basket was filled mostly with vegetables and fruits.

Breakfast is the most difficult meal of the day for me. Why? Chocolate chip pancakes, waffles, of course!  Either would be my choice. This is the ONE MEAL that is a problem for me, and it’s not a new dilemma. I’m allergic to eggs, so there’s that. I like most foods, but my issue is the consistency of some of them — cottage cheese, for example, oatmeal, yogurt, anything mushy or gushy — I just can’t get them down.  What to do? Any suggestions? The “most important meal of the day” (or so THEY say) is the one that I can’t seem to resolve. HELP! PLEASE, I’m pleading with you! 

 

Regarding organization, new recipes are vital for me to keep interested in food preparation;  I’ve been scouting the Internet for different ones.  I’ll share of my T2D epicurean delights, as I make them  🙂  Variety is the spice of life!

I’m determined and dedicated to use my BRAIN to carve out my path to successful diabetes management!

About my BREAKFAST DILEMMA, seriously, if you have any ideas, I’d be thrilled to hear them.  THANKS!!!

Blood Sugar = 86        Weight = 148

 

 

Yaaawn… Why so tired?

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

One day I’m up with lots of energy, and the next I’m dragging like Linus’ blanket (remember that in the Peanuts cartoons?) — really dragging.  What is that?

It’s that damn rollercoaster again, with it’s twists and turns and ups and downs = MY definition of Diabetes. I’m sure you recognize it. I guess it’s a loss of balance (or, at least at least a feeling of a loss of balance).

I’m moving along, eating properly, walking, monitoring my blood sugar. It’s all good, and then — WHACK! There goes that balance and me with it.  Such a strange feeling.

Now, there are those days when it’s not a shock; you know, you ate that piece of cake and you’re not surprised that you feel like garbage. We are what we eat, after all. But, that’s not what this post is about. It’s about the MYSTERY of being out of balance. Do you know what I mean? When all that work we do to keep on track just doesn’t reap the rewards we expect. It’s frustrating, almost depressing. What causes it, and what can I do to fix it?

Here’s where I take a good, authentic look at myself and what I’m doing or not doing. Sometimes, if I’m aware that this out of balance feeling is creeping in, I actually log what I’m eating for the purpose of determining if there’s a connection between the food(s) and how I’m feeling. OF COURSE THERE IS!  Stress is also a component of how we’re feeling emotionally and the range in which that blood sugar fluctuates.

See what I mean? Rollercoaster Ride!

What’s important is that there are answers to all the questions we have. Not necessarily the answers I want to hear, but answers nonetheless. Here are the things I may be feeling and, what I have learned, seems to be the decision I need to make to feel better:

1.  Tired, fatigued, lethargic  Answer: MOVE my butt! Isn’t that just the way? The answer lies in the opposite of what I feel like doing.
2. Feeling down, down, and sometimes REALLY down. Ugh.  Answer: MOVE my butt!    Again?    C’mon, give me a break
3. Frustrated, disgusted, sick of this damn disease! Answer: MOVE my butt!
4. Stressed out. Answer: MOVE my butt!

The answers obviously lie in putting on my damn Big Girl Pants and moving the butt they cover!  Ahhrrrggghhh! 🙂

Have you seen the play, movie, or even heard the soundtrack from Fiddler on the Roof? There’s a great song in it that speaks to traditions and balance (in the lives of the people in a small village). They sing out — repeating the words, Tradition, Tradition, over and over again. The song explains that it’s because of their traditions that they maintain balance in their lives. Their belief is no different than our commitment to our diabetes management, which — gives us balance! The tune really stays in your mind. [If you’ve never had the opportunity to hear it, I hope you click onto Youtube and check it out.] I remember seeing the play and the movie and feeling incredibly uplifted when they sang the song with such conviction!

So, when I’m having the feelings I’ve described within this post, here’s what I’ve been singing — I swear — out loud! — COMMITMENT, COMMITMENT! to the same tune (Tradition/Tradition!). First of all it makes me laugh, but more importantly, it reminds me of what I MUST do to get on track and stay there — to cope (comfortably) with DIABETES! Commitment to this purpose is imperative to me, so I’ll keep singing loud and clear (hearing the music from the soundtrack) and smiling.

Oh! I’m damn determined and dedicated to stare down diabetes. To look at it straight in the eyes and say ….!    Well, those of you who know me, you know what I’d say. 🙂

Blood Sugar = 107          151.4 lbs.