Living with Diabetes: October 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.

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