Monitoring Blood Glucose = #1

Seriously, what could be more fun than stabbing yourself three times a day???

Okay, nobody ever said it was going to be fun, but it’s important — no — imperative! If you’re new to this “game,” trust me, JUST DO IT! It’s the only real way to know exactly where you’re at, in terms of your blood sugar and, your glucometer WILL tell the truth. In truth there is no denial.

Monitor glucose regularly

It’s easy to be in denial when you have Type 2 Diabetes —

• you look like most people,
• you sound like many people,
• you think like your friends (or not),
• you eat like everyone else…

WAIT!!!  You EAT like everyone else? You do? I sure hope you’re surrounding yourself with healthy eaters. 🙂

I’m meeting friends for lunch tomorrow, and there’s a routine I follow prior to going out.

1. I go onto the website of the restaurant.
2. Check out the menu and pay attention to the healthy choices. Usually, I decide what I’m going to order, but I also give myself the option of choosing one or two of the other acceptable alternatives. This process gives me a range of possibilities that will allow me to make a good decision. I IGNORE THE REST OF THE MENU!
3. Remember: You’re in charge of your decision. Grilled chicken is usually an option in any restaurant and be sure to add lots of veggies to your dinner plate — it will be colorful and appetizing!   
4. Before I leave home, I drink a glass of water and take my blood sugar. And then — I’m off, and destined to have a delightful meal with my friends.
5. When the conversation turns to DESSERT, “No thank you. I’m full.”  [By the way, you will be full.]  GREAT decision, congratulate yourself! While they’re piling on the pounds, and adding toxins to their bodies while sifting through their dessert, feel free to enjoy a cup of steaming hot tea/coffee or an ice cold glass of water (something to look at, instead of their dessert). It’s also nice to ask the waiter to add a wedge of orange, lime or lemon, or even a strawberry or two to your water — you deserve it!
   

   

   I find that adding fruit to my water makes it look and taste so much more refreshing.

6. Once home — sometimes, in the car before I leave the parking lot of the restaurant,  🙂 I check my blood sugar. If it’s elevated, as soon as I get home, I grab my sneakers and go for a quick walk, even if only for 30 minutes — walking will bring that number right down — never fails!

So there you have it folks. CHECK THAT BLOOD SUGAR — no matter what. NO EXCUSES! You’ll be glad you did.

I promise.

 

Day #2, 2017! 5 Steps to Keeping on Track

Can you believe it? 2017!

It’s so cliché, but time REALLY does fly. My plan is to make the most — on EVERY level — of 2017. This T2D will beat the hell out of her A1C.  🙂

Cleaning out my refrigerator and freezer is how I started my day. Then, I moved on to food shopping to be sure my cupboards are filled with healthy choices. NO excuses!

I made a batch of sugar-free raspberry Jello, in an effort to be prepared when the sugar beast invades my brain! Sugar-free jello seems to calm “him” down.

“SUGAR BEAST”

I have visions of him “dancing in my head” — NOT “sugar-plum fairies,” the Sugar BEAST! But, it’s okay. I’m prepared to “take care of him” in 2017. BRING IT ON, BEAST!  🙂

Next on my agenda is to create a pot of piping hot Vegetable Barley Soup. It’s threatening to get colder here in the Northeast, and I’ll be ready.  I love to make soup and freeze individual portions. It just makes life easier, and the individual portions help to keep my blood sugar levels in check.

Exercise = IMPORTANT

My walking buddy and I conferred and we’re starting 2017 off on the “right foot” (pun intended)!  We’ll have to walk the mall, but it really doesn’t matter as long as one foot is planted firmly in front of the other! Walking is the #1 way to lower my blood sugar — works EVERY time.

Monitoring my blood sugar has to be at the top of my list, even though it’s a ROYAL pain in the butt. The bottom line is that I know when I write it down (my definition of “monitoring”), I have a MUCH better chance of staying on track.

Monitor glucose regularly

 

So, here’s how 2017 is shaking out thus far. I will be keeping on track by following these 5 STEPS:

1.  Keeping diabetes-friendly foods, not just in the cabinets but, prepared to eat at any time.
2. Maintaining awareness of the SUGAR BEAST lurking around every corner.
3. Preparing and freezing individual portions of foods. Portion control is imperative, if I am to succeed on this journey.
4. Exercising: God bless my “walking buddy,” Maureen,  — she keeps me accountable. You too can have one — ask around!
5. Monitoring my blood sugar.

There are MANY PATHS we can take on this journey

Just a path…

North Carolina, USA

Florence, Italy

with lots twists and turns and forks in the road but, with the support of other Type 2 Diabetics, I believe we can make healthy choices and be successful.

There are a multitude of  choices — let’s take the right path towards a healthy diabetic life!

GOOD LUCK in 2017, folks!

 

 

 

 

 

Minus Two and Counting!

HALLOWEEN!  My second favorite “holiday” — Valentine’s Day is still #1!

YES — I’m being facetious. Both days are torture to me. But, Halloween, the spooky one, is upon us.  Here’s the answer —     🙂

I will fight the fight — and I WILL win.

Thanks to a good friend, I have an alternative  to dole out to the Trick/Treaters — Play Doh!  Remember that squishy, colorful stuff that you could form into various shapes, in the hopes that the end result might actually look like something recognizable. It came in a can and, I’m happy to report, it still does.

Thanks to Dollar Tree, that’s what my visiting ghosts and goblins will be receiving when they come Trick or Treating to my house. They had two different sizes: One package contained 4 for $1.00, and another had 8 smaller cans for $1.00.

This alternative to a sugar rush, will give the chickadees hours of entertainment and the opportunity to be creative. AND — most importantly, there will be NO bowl of candy calling my name at the front door.  This T2D’s blood sugar levels will remain in tact.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone and  — thanks to Jane for the idea!        🙂

 

 

Bringing Down My A1C in the BIG APPLE!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Aside from the obvious (eating appropriately), NOTHING brings down this T2D’s blood sugar level faster than WALKING!  It never fails. Never.

I may have taken it JUST A TAD over the top on Tuesday night. It was a gorgeous night in the city, the sky was “Starry Night” clear, just a slight breeze and in the low 70’s. Perfect for walking in the “Big Apple.”

A friend and I went into NYC to see the preview of a unique show called “The Flatiron Hex.” The New York Times gave it a great review (at the time of the Times review, it was being performed in a different space). Last Tuesday night’s preview was at the Henson Carriage House.

It was a long walk from Penn Station (33d and 7th) to 67th and 3d Avenue. Whoa, baby, my feet were cursing at me. BIG TIME! But it was a gorgeous night and the rest of me didn’t mind at all. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Pennsylvania+Station,+New+York,+NY/3rd+Avenue+%26+East+67th+Street,+New+York,+NY+10065/@40.7584233,-73.9957349,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c259ae15b2adcb:0x7955420634fd7eba!2m2!1d-73.993519!2d40.750568!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c258e97a456739:0x61d13a67f652353a!2m2!1d-73.9629317!2d40.7665612!3e2

I’m a lowly blogger and not a writer of reviews for the NY Times, but I recognize an unparalleled presentation when I see one. BY THE WAY,  it’s beyond me how ANYONE can execute a one-person performance — kudos to James Godwin! Bravo and best of luck to all the members of The Flatiron Hex, an exceptional, one-of-a-kind group of artists.

Back to Type 2 Diabetes and the benefits of walking:  After the preview of Flatiron Hex, we revised our route and hoofed it back to Penn, via 5th Avenue — window shopping MAY have slowed us down a bit but, all-in-all, it was a good 5 miles + walk and worth every step. My blood glucose was happy, as was my A1C.

So, here’s what I did for Kathy:

• I brought down my blood glucose, by simply walking.  This is a good thing because, let’s face it, this body is never going to see the inside of a gym again (Being realistic.)  Again? ??  LOL!
• My A1C will benefit from my “hike.” That miserable test is the truth-teller. It shows all!!! Every freakin’ 3 months — it’s like a computer that spits out the details of your (diabetic) behavior. My doctor loves it. 🙂
• I was good to my heart.  (It’s thrilled when I walk my brains out!)  
• I passed each and every bakery, patisserie, and au bon pain on the route. (More bonus points for my blood sugar and my heart.) THAT wasn’t easy!  😦
• Slept like a rock — exercise will do that…

Me?  I’m a happy camper to have spent a spectacular night walking the sidewalks of my beloved NYC    (I ❤ NY)   and, seeing an outstanding preview! What could be better?

It’s in the ATTITUDE!

 

“Choose Wisely”

Thursday, September 22, 2016

“Choose wisely” were

…words my parents repeated on a regular basis to each of their four children. They were talking about our friends and my father managed to get his point across, usually with a simple phrase or two — and that look over his glasses. Oooooo,  that deep, penetrating, look. There was no mistaking his intent. This man was serious!

The value of friendship was second only to that of family, in the heart and minds of my parents. They taught us well and the message was incessant, particularly during those important teenage years. There’s one phrase (among many) that stands out in my mind. “Kathy, water seeks its own level.”  My dad would say it (in that tone), then pause, look me straight in the eye, turn and walk away, leaving me to contemplate what he’d just said. I knew, the “friend” I’d brought home that day had been given the “stamp of disapproval.”  No argument, no criticism. But, the point was always made, and  it was clear.  Do the right thing — choose wisely.  Mom and dad were right; their instincts good. We learned early on the difference between friends and acquaintances. As a result of their guidance, the four of us have always had excellent friends and we’ve had them for a long time.  My parents were outstanding role models — they’d tell us, “To HAVE a good friend, you need to BE a good friend.” Those words served each of us well.

WHY ARE YOU DISCUSSING FRIENDSHIP, you ask?  Because the people with whom we break bread can be as important as the morsels that pass through our lips. I, for one, need all the help I can get in managing my T2D, and I do look to my friends for support — I admit it.

For the purpose of this T2D blog, I’ll be integrating the choice of foods, along with those with whom we share it.

A few days ago, I met some friends for lunch — this can be a nightmare OR sheer heaven for me, depending on where we decide to “dine.” I made the choice this time and we went to The Wild Fig — Mediterranean Grill. Why was that my choice?  (GRILL is the operative word, and helpful to diabetics.)  The menu is enormous (see link) and filled with a multitude of healthy choices.  

The grilled veggies were mouthwatering,  complimented the stuffed fish, AND did great things for my blood sugar. The entree I chose included two portions of stuffed flounder. One selection on the menu was filled with crabmeat and another with spinach and feta — a friend and I shared, so we had one of each! (Is this becoming a tradition, Gerry?)  My confession: French fries (it’s an addiction, I know). BUT, in the name of justification, we split those too, so we each had some fries and some grilled vegetables. My A1C will be happy. NO dessert — it was a beautiful thing.

“Choosing wisely” is easy in this restaurant and, selecting this group of friends was a wise decision. I’m blessed. These ” Ladies Who Lunch” are no less than divine!  We share a strong belief in the “Sisterhood,” and this group is as supportive as it gets. ❤

Tell me — What could be better than sharing a delicious, healthy lunch and wonderful conversation with a delightful group of friends?

Bottom line = monitor those morsels carefully to keep your numbers at a healthy level  and — just as carefully — choose your friends wisely!   🙂   There will be no regrets!

Thank you ladies, and WELCOME to our newest member!   

Can It Be Done? –Reversing Diabetes!

Friday, August 26, 2016

This is a great discussion to have with your doctor. At least consider the prospect, the possibility of reversing your disease. What have you got to lose? It’s just a conversation.*

This is a “conversation” that Dr. Sarah Hallberg has with her patients. Give her a listen; it can’t hurt — right? It’s a TED Talk — they’re all so interesting.

After you’ve heard what she has to say — THEN speak with your doctor.

 

*As with ALL information on this blog, always speak with your doctor before making any changes to your diabetes management.

ANYTHING is possible!

 

REVERSING Diabetes? Progress!

August 26, 2016, Friday

The goal of this Type 2 Diabetic has been to GET OFF THE MEDICATION!!! Yes, I AM screaming — at myself.  My frustration level when my doctor increased the dosage of Metformin to three a day, was overwhelming. I did this to myself kept popping through my head, and it was true!  I had been playing games — how much can one piece of cake hurt?  The answer is…PLENTY!

FINALLY, I’ve been making progress. It is due in part to my “dental dilemma” — hard to gain wait, if you can’t chew.  The problem is that during that time period, I realized that cake’s easy to chew. 🙂

Bottom line is that I was determined to get my act together.  I worked on eating healthy foods, portion control (MOST important), and exercise.  Don’t get excited. In my world, exercise does NOT include going a gym.  Get a grip. No, there will be no sweating, weeping, and gnashing of teeth. NO, no, no — I walk.  That’s it — just walk. But, guess what?  It works!  Try it. Take your blood sugar prior to walking and then again when you return.  It’s pretty amazing. It’s been brutally hot here in the

Exercise = IMPORTANT

northeast, which gave me a great excuse to stop hoofing it. However, I let my conscience be my guide and got back on track. I’m not a 5-days a week yet, but I’m building my way back up. Truth is, I live near a mall which is air conditioned. It’s a perfect place to walk in the difficult weather of both winter and summer — so there is NO excuse.

When I’m truly determined to do something, I can move mountains — and believe me, I was determined. Here’s what happened:  I went to my doctor last week who was ecstatic. Why? My A1C was 5.8!!!! I practically jumped off the table, I was so excited. She shared my joy. She asked how I did it, and I told her. (Not wanting to take all the credit for my disciplined behavior, I explained the effect my dental dilemma had on my appetite.) She was thrilled. I explained that I had lowered the dosage of Metformin from 3/day to two, because the three, along with what I was doing, was too much and I wasn’t feeling well. For the most part, I was taking just two. She told me to continue consistently with two and, if that became too much (I’d know it), decrease it to one. In three months we’ll see where I am and what the next step will be. Here were her words, and they were MUSIC TO MY EARS — “At this moment, you are in a non-diabetic state.” Did she say non-diabetic?  YES, she did!

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m not a diabetic — it simply means that the blood work indicated those results at that moment. What did this do for me? It made me even more MOTIVATED! Now I’m really on a roll. The thought that there’s a real possibility that I may be able to get off the medication, brings tears to my eyes. I have been working hard to hear those words, but I’ll be working even harder now.

Wish me luck!

 

Disdain for the “Doggy Bag…

Thursday, August 25, 2016

I’m grateful for the “Doggie Bag.” It helps this Type 2 Diabetic with portion control. If I ask for a container when I order my food, I put half in it as soon as my dinner hits the table.  This prevents me from “enjoying” it too much, gives me a meal for the next day and prevents waste. I just wish they wouldn’t use styrofoam containers (Our poor planet!); depending on what I’m eating, I often ask them to wrap it in aluminum foil.

There’s an interesting history behind the proverbial “Doggie Bag.” In many countries, asking for a take-home container is considered vulgar. In the U.S., this practice is commonplace and sometimes applauded — even in fine-dining restaurants. It’s looked at as a way to avoid waste and this is great in helping our environment.

The Eiffel Tower

In Paris, the City of Lights, the practice of taking home leftovers after dining has long been a faux pas. Thanks to the 21st Century, Parisians are finally accepting this practice.  A law was passed and went into effect on January 1st., in an effort to cut down on the enormous amount of food waste. The French have replaced the term “le doggy bag” with “le gourmet bag.” 🙂

On the Italian front, the “cartoccio” or Italy’s version of the “doggy bag” is finally being embraced. Combatting food waste has become a priority, as a result of a summit in Italy on global food sustainability.

Interesting, No?

What’s on Your Plate? (#2)

Saturday, August 13, 2016

“Plate” #2

As stated in my prior post, I read a great article in Everyday Health, titled “Sizing Up Your Plate:  Why Portion Control Matters.” This post (#2) is a continuation of #1!

Along the course of my (diabetes) blog journey,  the topic of dining/eating out has come up a few times. Because this was discussed in the article in Everyday Health, I’d like to revisit it. Some important bullet points that were brought up–

• NO Supersizing!  You and I know this is common sense, BUT — sometimes the challenge of the “good deal” gets in the way. It’s obvious, right? If you can get double the size of an item for only a few cents more, why not do it?  Why not? Because it’s a deadly decision. More food, more carbs is NOT what we need. It will cause weight gain and elevated blood glucose.
• NO Entree, Please — A great tip to help with portion control, calorie consumption, and monitoring blood glucose, is to order a combination of soup and an appetizer — skip the entree. Trust me, it will be enough. I’ve had some wonderful meals by exercising this tip.
• “Doggy Bag” — WHY is the take-home container called that???  When I was kid and my parents went out for dinner, oftentimes they would bring home the proverbial “doggy bag.” Funny thing — the dog never got the contents. Why then, was it implied that the contents of the container was for the dog? I think it was a way for people to bring home their leftovers, without being embarrassed. Was it a case of “waste not, want not?”  OR was it a case of “I’m no millionaire; I can eat that tomorrow!” (They’ll just throw it out.)  My theory is that the “doggie bag” originated to save face — feed the dog; no embarrassment there. What’s your opinion?          Diabetics would be wise to look to the “doggie bag” (or take-home container) as a way to cut down on calories as well as carbs. Here’s a tip that my sister gave me a long time ago and I found it to be very helpful.  Ask the waiter/waitress for a take-home container, when placing your order. That way, when the food arrives at your table, you can immediately place half into the container. Voila! Out of sight, out of mind. (Thanks, Jean!)  It works perfectly. The following day, you can enjoy your leftovers for any meal you like. [See my next post for a history lesson on doggie bags  🙂 ]
• The Dreaded Wedding (or other catered affairs) — Why do you dread them? Obviously, catered affairs are the Sodom and Gomorrah in the life of the Type 2 Diabetic. Seriously, it’s an orgy of food. Every catered affair that I’ve ever gone to has included an open bar, followed by food, food, and more food. Between the cocktail hour, the smorgasbord, and/or the sit-down dinner, you’re counting 17 courses topped off with a flaming Viennese table!  🙂  Ugh. They pull out all the stops — there ARE NO stops, no boundaries.  Here are some tips to help you get through these unavoidable fiascos.  Plate #1 — Choose low calorie, low carb foods (shrimp, raw vegetables, etc.). Plate #2 — WAIT! Gauge your time. Remember it takes 20 minutes for the brain to get the message that you’re full. Whether you decide to venture forward or not, remember NOT TO PILE FOOD on your plate. Take a reasonable amount. It’s better to go back a second time, if you really want more food. Take your time.  By the way, nowhere is it written that you HAVE to eat the wedding cake. A bite of it is all the “good luck” that the bride and groom will need.
• My last and most important tip for the wedding-goer is DANCE!!! Dance, dance, dance — you’ll burn calories, lower your blood glucose, and you’ll feel really good with those endorphins “dancing” through your body.

 

 

 

 

What’s on Your Plate?

Sunday, August 7, 2016

“PLATE” #1

Do you live for a buffet/smorgasbord dinner? NOOOOoooooo! My conscience screams, DON’T do it! If you have issues with portion control, that kind of dining can be a downfall.

I read a great article in Everyday Health. the title was, “Sizing Up Your Plate: Why Portion Control Matters.”

Everyday Health does a great job in its discussion of diabetes and this T2D “listens” very carefully when they “talk.”  D. Wolter-Nitta, RD, CDE, nutritionist and certified diabetes educator at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY, was quoted on the topic of portion control. For the Type 2 Diabetic, who may be overweight, losing some pounds can lead to better blood sugar control and “possibly” less need for medication. Some of the information noted in the article will be familiar to you and some will seem like common sense. I read everything diabetes related. Truth is, there’s always more to learn and, if nothing else, reading the info will put it in the forefront of my mind. Can’t hurt, right? Everyday Health noted that Jill Weisenberger, RD, CDE, and writer, out of Yorktown, VA, stressed that “not eating proper carbs at a meal can lead to higher or lower blood sugars,” and we know what that can produce. Problems.

She, along with others, had some good points:

• Weigh and Measure your food. LOL — right!  We’ll see about that.  🙂    Okay, I’ve never been thrilled with doing “the scale thing,” but she’s right. It’s really difficult to guess how much food is the right amount, and we know that portion control is imperative. That’s why…
• Visual Aids are so important! I was having difficulty awhile back in my T2D journey, and I went to a diabetes educator for help. I thought I had portion control down pat but was stunned to learn that the fact that I was eating apples the size of a softball didn’t make the grade. She tossed me a tennis ball and informed me that THIS was the size I should have been consuming. “Really?” I queried, while looking at the small ball that seemed to be lost in my hand. I realized that the difference in size meant that I was eating what would be considered two apples at each sitting. AAArrrggghhh! That explained my weight gain.                 By the way, when shopping for apples, TRUST ME, the ones that come packaged in the plastic bags are the size you should be eating.   It’s called SMALL! At first, I was saddened by the fact that my beloved apple snack had just shrunken to about one-third of its size.  Here’s what helped a LOT:  I sliced the apple into very thin slices — VERY thin!  During that same appointment, the Diabetes Educator shocked me into realizing that I’d been overeating just about everything — without even knowing it. She showed me a plastic hamburger to demonstrate the portion that we should be eating.  It seemed so small and alone on the plate — probably one-third of the size I’d been scoffing down. Next on her agenda was the “deck of cards” — another visual aid to slap me silly into “getting” the world of portion control.  WHAT??? How many of us eat a portion of chicken, fish or beef that takes up one-third to half of the dinner plate? Well, get a grip! The deck of cards it is.
• Read Food Labels!   Besides the obvious — carbs, protein, fiber, it’s important to check out the food labels for the SERVING SIZE.  You may be surprised to learn that a can or package contains more than one serving per person.
• Use Smaller Plates.  This is an easy one. Substitute a luncheon-sized plate for a regular dinner plate. This tricks your eye, because it looks like you have a lot of food on your plate when, in fact, your plate is smaller.    🙂
• Beverages. Again, read those labels. You may be surprised to see that the serving size information will force you to make a different decision. Drinking is the fastest way to get carbs into your system; therefore, for better blood glucose management, it’s better to eat your carbs than drink them.
• SNACK, SNACK, SNACK! Tim Harlan, M.D. and Medical Director of Tulane University Group in New Orleans, states (in Everyday Health) that snacking is important for the diabetic. He says that snacking “controls overeating, controls cravings, and keeps blood sugar stable.” MAKES SENSE!  🙂
• WRITE, WRITE, WRITE! Another common sense tip. Keeping a food log is important when managing blood glucose levels. Simply put, it keeps us on track and holds us accountable. Not a big deal.

    “PLATE” #2 — continued in next post — will focus on eating out and will include social events such as weddings!

So folks, WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE???