Today (day 16) the blog every day in May challenge is to discuss 'something difficult about your lot in life and how you're working to overcome it'.
Truth be told, I don't like talking about my problems, any of my close friends will tell you that. There are issues that I have taken the power out of by talking about them, but this is not the place for that, for they are not my stories to tell outside the confines of some trusted friends and family. Something I have shared here is how I am dealing with having diabetes type 2, you can read a rant here and also the rant where I fired my doctor here.
Health is a bit of a boring subject so I will update 'the diabetes situation' in bullet form, for your viewing pleasure. I'm always thinking of you guys! First few points are recaps. Pay attention.
Truth be told, I don't like talking about my problems, any of my close friends will tell you that. There are issues that I have taken the power out of by talking about them, but this is not the place for that, for they are not my stories to tell outside the confines of some trusted friends and family. Something I have shared here is how I am dealing with having diabetes type 2, you can read a rant here and also the rant where I fired my doctor here.
Health is a bit of a boring subject so I will update 'the diabetes situation' in bullet form, for your viewing pleasure. I'm always thinking of you guys! First few points are recaps. Pay attention.
- Diabetes type 1 and 2 are both prevalent in my family tree. I am lucky not to have type 1.
- My family tree has Irish roots so my body type resembles a potato. I am not too tall and yes, I am overweight but not massively so; and in any case I have not spent years sitting on the couch eating pizza. (the occasional night, sure). It is what it is.
- I don't think I or anyone else deserve to have diabetes, but you have to deal with the cards you've got. I can't ignore it on the premise that I think I shouldn't have it. It is what it is.
End of recap!
This is how I am dealing with my diabetic lot in life.
- I advocate for my own health. Obviously I have a doctor, but I make it my business to research the drugs I need to take, the foods I should and shouldn't eat, I ask questions and seek out extra professionals when I think I need them. I take responsibility for my own health and do not passively accept everything I am told.
- I take the medication I am supposed to take, when I am supposed to take it. Insulin is not vitamins (although I take them too) you cannot just forget to take it. There will be consequences. I also do blood tests when I am supposed to (finger pricks 6 times a day and the big fasting blood test every 3 or so months). I'm getting better about not complaining.
- I am trying to eat less dense carbs, such as bread, pasta, rice, corn, potatoes and sweet potato. Not eating them really keeps my blood sugar down. I really like the Paleo diet (which does not exclude potatoes and sweet potato) but when I ate this way I was very tired all the time, which is not great for me at all, I am a busy mum and need energy! I cannot find a dietitian that has even heard of Paleo that is also able to guide me through it from a diabetic point of view, so I am reading up on the internet and experimenting myself. I use a lot of Paleo recipes, and mostly say no to refined sugars or things like fruit juice.
- I exercise for weight loss and also to maintain fitness and good circulation. I'm waiting on a hernia operation and until then I can't do any bending, stretching, twisting or upper body strength. I find this particularly frustrating because A, I want to do martial art/yoga/zumba/cross fit/Tough Mudder Marathons and B, I need to lose weight to lessen the impact of diabetes, and if I cannot exercise properly I cannot lose weight. I can walk, however, so I walk about 90 minutes most days.
- I have cut way down on alcohol. It's tragic, I know >sad face<. I have found that one of the tablets I take works a lot better if I have a small glass of wine every day, and this also has the added benefits of antioxidants so that was pretty exciting news! I still have the occasional gin and tonic or cocktail, but that is it. No super big nights out for me any more.
So that is how I deal with the reality of having diabetes type 2. It's just about taking responsibility for yourself, and getting on with it!
xx
