• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Baseball ’19
  • Day Zero 3
  • Earl
  • My list
  • Photo Blogging Challenge

A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

Living with Diabetes: October 2017

October 25, 2017

Fall off the wagon, get back on — or so it seems.

The summer, for whatever reason, is awful for me when it comes to controlling diabetes. I guess I know the reason — I travel a bit more, I eat out more, and I am not always watching things. That’s part of trying to get in a routine — to be able to control this.

That being said, I thought I did decent this summer. Reality is, I know I didn’t but was trying to convince myself. Though I didn’t eat awful, it wasn’t controlled. Candy has been an issue. Too much eating was an issue.

And I definitely didn’t get enough exercise during the time of year when I should be doing the most.

The summer months went by and I kind of realized … crap, I need to start doing something or else I’m going to get bitched at by my doctor and diabetes educator. But when that thought crossed my mind, I realized a few things, and they are as follows:

1. I can’t live appointment to appointment
If I am worrying just about getting bitched at or scolded because I’m not doing something, then I’m not controlling things. Instead, I’m trying to do just enough to slowly improve, but not really make changes. I think that’s what I have been doing.

2. Accept what it is
Look, since the first day I was told I was pre-diabetic to earlier this year, I was always in denial. I know what it was. I know what I had. But I still thought … if I feel good, then it’s really not there, right? Turns out that’s wrong.

3. Ultimately, I make decisions on how things go
In the end, a doctor or somebody else can take me to take this medicine or do this or that. In the end, I have to make that decision on my own. Therefore, no matter what happens, I really only have myself to blame.

4. Start having will power
I need this. More than anything.

So as September winded down, I made a conscious effort to start eating better. I started looking at things closer. I knew with appointments in late October, I wouldn’t be able to “hide” everything I’ve done, but hopefully I could get to where I felt was a good sign to show I understood where I was and where I’m going.

On September 30, I had a couple of small pieces of candy. On October 1, that stopped.

Since October 1, I’ve been doing a lot more and it’s starting to show. I’m eating better and I’m out moving. I go out each and every night for a walk, which can range (at this point) anywhere from a bit more than a mile to nearly three miles. I have some routes that I follow and they are of different terrains. My goal each night is usually 30-45 minutes of continuous activity. I’ve only missed one or two nights because of working late, but those days I’ve made sure to be a lot more active and moving at work, so that’s been good.

My A1C this visit was slightly up from July. That’s disappointing, but not unexpected. The difference this time is that I’m not too worried about it because I feel I’m going in the right direction.

Those couple of months where I was traveling and going to more games — I wasn’t really even checking my blood. That was a bad move. So when I started back up in October, I was (not really) shocked at what it looked like.

I also knew it would take time — and it has.

In the beginning of the month, my numbers were higher than I am comfortable with. So I adjusted. I’ve made changes in my diet and I’m working on other aspects. I’m exercising. I’m understanding what I am doing.

But the thing about it is this — I’m getting into a routine. I go out for a walk now and think, maybe just a mile tonight … and 2.5 miles later, I’m finishing. I push myself and want to get things better. The numbers have improved. They aren’t perfect, that’s for sure, but they are better. I’ve utilized many things to get me out and moving — like having to mail something or joining virtual races (I’ll have a blog post about these in the near future). Either way, it’s getting me into a good routine, which is also helping me sleep better and feel better overall.

My next doctor’s appointment is in late January, which means my next A1C test will include the holiday months. This won’t be easy, but instead will be a massive challenge for me and I look forward to wading myself through things.

I haven’t had candy in October and plan on that continuing. I’ve only had one (diet) soda per week. I’m trying to find variety in what I eat, yet keep it healthy and control the portions. I’ve learned, from researching, that eating out is not that easy when you are watching certain things, that’s for sure.

Coming up: November is National Diabetes Month, and November 14 is World Diabetes Day.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Diabetes, Health, Living with Diabetes, My world Tagged With: a1c, blood sugar, diabetes, diabetes numbers, health, living with diabetes

3 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mrs GeoK/Denise says

    October 25, 2017

    Way to go, PJ! Establishing habits/routines, is hard work – but once they’re established, they should serve you well! I have no idea what AC1 means, but I’d better learn – my 13 yo niece was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes yesterday. No one had the slightest clue, and then – bam! I hope you won’t mind if I email you with n00b questions.

    Also, in addition to November 14 being World Diabetes Day, November 13 is World Kindness Day – a good reminder to be kind to yourself (as well as others) and to pat yourself on the back for your renewed efforts to maintain overall good health.

    Reply
    • P.J. says

      October 26, 2017

      The routine/habit part is definitely hardest for me. I don’t mind the better eating. In fact, it’s made me feel a whole heap better. I find I am pushing myself to walk a bit longer, even on nights that I don’t want to at all. It’s been good. Hopefully I can keep it up, even when the cold and snow arrives! As for A1C – it’s the long-term (three months) look at your blood sugars. It gives you a good view of where you are at and where you need to go. Sorry to hear about your niece. I’m not Type 1, but I am sure you will be learning a lot. Feel free to e-mail and I’ll answer anything the best I can, or point you in a direction on where to look.

      World Kindness Day sounds like a good one as well. I’ll have to put that in my calendar!
      P.J. recently posted..Living with Diabetes: October 2017My Profile

      Reply
  2. Linda says

    October 29, 2017

    Getting square with a thing is the first and most important step, no matter what it is. Congrats on doing better and good luck keeping it going.
    Linda recently posted..The Humble PotatoMy Profile

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Welcome to A 'lil HooHaa!

This is a personal website covering many topics! We host a monthly photo blogging challenge, and then every January hold a fun writing challenge.

Thank you for stopping by and hope this becomes a stop for you!

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Follow

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 876 other subscribers

Instagram

hoohaa29

Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! You know, Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! 

You know, of course, Santa Paws travels with Santa Clause, making sure to find treats and toys for all the good little doggies! (We know they are all deserving, right?) So, Harper put out some milk for the big guy, carrots for Rudolph and the reindeer, and special cookies for Santa Paws! She is ready! 

#SantaPaws #Christmas2022 #HarperChristmas #MyDogHarper #GoldenRetriever #DogsofInstagram #PhotoOfTheDay #Photography #Christmas #IPhoneography
One of the best parts about having Harper as my be One of the best parts about having Harper as my best friend… ❤️
Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to sna Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to snap this shot. The colors in the sky were fantastic and the scene was nice looking (though, to be fair, I drove by what I think would have been a better scene -- the valley and hills full of snow etc.)

#Snow #Winter #Sky #Color #InstaLove #photooftheday #picoftheday #iPhoneography #nature #love #instalove #photography #happy #smile #photo
The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪 The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪
Just a break on our morning walk … #goldenretri Just a break on our morning walk …

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #mydogharper
Tired. Tired.
Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! 

#phillies #ringthebell #baseball #dog #goldenretriever
I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I have her. It’s been a year and four months and she makes me smile and laugh more each day. It’s amazing how much a dog changes your look on life, and how much joy they can bring. 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta
I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to post here, as well as on Harper’s (@harper_dublin) account). So, as I start to transfer photos, I’ll try and catch up. So photos coming could be from all seasons and who knows when. 🤣

This one is recent from the courthouse square in Delhi. We had some pretty good fall colors this year. 

#fall #delhiny #seasons #iphoneonly #love #photography #photooftheday #instagood #happy #picoftheday
From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper t From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper to put her paws on the bridge and looked out, but she was more content jumping on me and looking up. I do love the way she seems to be looking at me.
Instagram post 17992900117561614 Instagram post 17992900117561614
Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with t Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with the fog and frost settled in. 

Hamden Covered Bridge 

#coveredbridge #coveredbridges #bridge #fog #frost #nature #upstatenewyork
Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend! #g Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend!

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta #outside #sunshine #friends
So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t have @mallons_homemade_sticky_buns.
This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this on me morning walk Friday with Harper. Likely some college kids, but also as chance at local hooligans. I had Harper so not a lot I could do, but I managed to get the cart off the chair. (See second photo) This was in a local park.
Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 1 Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 15! @chuckitfetchgames 

Should be fun! @discgolfdarren @harmm23
Starting to feel like fall! #fall #nature #autum Starting to feel like fall! 

#fall #nature #autumn #colors #foliage #instagood #seasonchange #leaves #leaves🍁
Street lights hidden in a tree. #life #light #wa Street lights hidden in a tree. 

#life #light #walk #explore ##instagood #photooftheday #photography #happy
Finally learning this Canon M6 MarkII before my tr Finally learning this Canon M6 MarkII before my trip starts this weekend. Really like it now that I took the time to set it up and learn the differences between this and my 7D MarkII. This and the iPhone will do most of the work on the trip. 

Photo is inside on a dark and dreary day. Transferred to phone and edited with #snapseed. 

#canon #m6markii #dog #dogsofinstagram #goldenretriever
Life is good. Life is good.
Load More Follow on Instagram

YouTube

P.J. Harmer

P.J. Harmer
A video looking at my first year and a half of owning a golden retriever, my first dog. It's had its ups and downs, but I've truly loved the ride and look forward to the future. 

Music: Happy before we get old by Michael Shynes via Artlist. 

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow Harper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harper_dublin/
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog

Thank you for watching. :)
When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week5 #weeklychallenge

Music: Happy to be Happy (Dapun)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week4 #weeklychallenge

Music: Infinite Wonder (Ben Fox)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
Load More... Subscribe

Archives

Categories

Calendar

January 2023
S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Dec    

Search The Site

Site Information

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

A 'lil HooHaa © 2023 · Created By Coded Creative

Copyright © 2023 · Ava Mae on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in