Do you remember watching all of those movies about WW II naval battles - especially the ones about submarines? In every movie - EVERY movie, I heard the phrase, "Steady as he goes." Now, I am not sure what it means in Navy-speak, but to me it means stay straight and true. Do you think there is a lesson somewhere in there for diabetics? Especially Type 2 Diabetics?
This all comes to mind because I was reading posts in a couple of diabetes forums. I literally hurt for the person who was writing that she walked for 30 minutes one night and tried to eat right, but found she had gained a little weight and her glucose reading was a bit up the next morning. That's not to be totally unexpected, really. Why? Because it's just one day.
You see, fighting diabetes is a long term fight. It's a war of incremental victories that build on one another. One little victory leads to the next leads to the next, etc. Don't expect to see much of a difference the first day you walk for 30 minutes or as a result of the first day you really eat right. It's going to take several days, at least. And, remember, that everyone's body chemistry is different - so each of us will react differently as we exercise and eat right. Remember, YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary!
The thing to remember is that most of us did not get diabetes in a day. It might be the result of years of poor eating habits with very little exercise. So, it might take a few days to begin for your body chemistry to catch up. And, it might take months and longer for your A1c to get normal. But, never, never stop fighting the good fight. Never give in. Fight to win the war and know it's going to be a long war.
I was dismayed that the person who posted the entry in June about being discouraged did not have any encouraging comments. Nobody stepped up to say give it a chance. Nobody said give it a bit of time. I would have, but it wasn't clear to me how to leave a comment; I will really have to go back and look at the site to figure it out.
In the meantime - Fight the good fight. Each day you eat right and exercise is a victory and will lead to controlling and managing your diabetes. I know you can do this...I know you can win.
Thank you for reading this.
"The fight isn't over until you win." ~Robin Hobb
"Fall. Stand. Learn. Adapt." ~Mike Norton
Showing posts with label perseverance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perseverance. Show all posts
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Today
I just wrote about perseverance. That each meal and each day is a decision point. It really is.
Remember, I think I have told you that I lost about 60 pounds. I was really happy with that. All of my numbers were very good. And, then I stopped being so disciplined in my approach. If I wanted chips (I love chips - any kind of chips), I ate them and as many as I wanted. If I wanted a cookie, I had one. It was too dark to walk, I told myself. Maybe a little too cold. (Okay, go ahead ans laugh, but cold in California is 60 degrees. I found reasons not to exercise, where before I exercised no matter what.
What happened? I gained 7 pounds over three months. All of my numbers went up a bit. Still weren't terrible, but they went up - not the direction I wanted. But, even thought I did not want the higher numbers, I did not want to lose the weight. I knew the work it would take.
My doctor was not pleased with me. I was not pleased with me.
So, after six months, I made the decision to lose the weight. I knew that meant a bit extra exercise. Not eating what I wanted, but what I should eat. And, yes, it meant that I would be hungry sometimes. But, I wanted to control and manage diabetes successfully more than I wanted food. So, after fighting the decision, I made it.
I had to lose the weight and then some.
Right now, as I write this, I have lost five pounds - I think. My scale at home is not entirely accurate. (A piece of advice - get an accurate scale!!) I know I have lost weight. How much will reamin a mystery until I see the doctor next month.
What did it take? Big surprise - less food and dedicated exercise. I had to persevere. I had to stick to it. I have to control diabetes. And, right now, my morning readings are looking pretty good and my weight is coming off.
The reason I write about this is that today's decisions regarding diet and exercise will be reflected in, on or around your body sooner than you think. Please, please make good decisions so you can manage your diabetes.
I am not eating chips. I am not eating cookies or ice cream. I stay away from any sweet. I limit carbohydrates. Drink plenty of water. And, I exercise. ALTHOUGH - I do have one small (emphasis on SMALL) celebratory meal each week. It's a small breakfast meal but I let myself have a few extra carbs knowing I will exercise a bit more so they won't have an adverse effect.
Don't forget to reward yourself for victories - I want you to have a lot of them!
Remember, I think I have told you that I lost about 60 pounds. I was really happy with that. All of my numbers were very good. And, then I stopped being so disciplined in my approach. If I wanted chips (I love chips - any kind of chips), I ate them and as many as I wanted. If I wanted a cookie, I had one. It was too dark to walk, I told myself. Maybe a little too cold. (Okay, go ahead ans laugh, but cold in California is 60 degrees. I found reasons not to exercise, where before I exercised no matter what.
What happened? I gained 7 pounds over three months. All of my numbers went up a bit. Still weren't terrible, but they went up - not the direction I wanted. But, even thought I did not want the higher numbers, I did not want to lose the weight. I knew the work it would take.
My doctor was not pleased with me. I was not pleased with me.
So, after six months, I made the decision to lose the weight. I knew that meant a bit extra exercise. Not eating what I wanted, but what I should eat. And, yes, it meant that I would be hungry sometimes. But, I wanted to control and manage diabetes successfully more than I wanted food. So, after fighting the decision, I made it.
I had to lose the weight and then some.
Right now, as I write this, I have lost five pounds - I think. My scale at home is not entirely accurate. (A piece of advice - get an accurate scale!!) I know I have lost weight. How much will reamin a mystery until I see the doctor next month.
What did it take? Big surprise - less food and dedicated exercise. I had to persevere. I had to stick to it. I have to control diabetes. And, right now, my morning readings are looking pretty good and my weight is coming off.
The reason I write about this is that today's decisions regarding diet and exercise will be reflected in, on or around your body sooner than you think. Please, please make good decisions so you can manage your diabetes.
I am not eating chips. I am not eating cookies or ice cream. I stay away from any sweet. I limit carbohydrates. Drink plenty of water. And, I exercise. ALTHOUGH - I do have one small (emphasis on SMALL) celebratory meal each week. It's a small breakfast meal but I let myself have a few extra carbs knowing I will exercise a bit more so they won't have an adverse effect.
Don't forget to reward yourself for victories - I want you to have a lot of them!
It's Not a Sprint; It's Your Life
I have just finished watching Ernie Els win this year's British Open. He did not do it through getting out in front and staying there. He did it by grinding out golf shots and giving himself the opportunity to win. He was behind when he finished, but when the tournament was over, he won.
What did it take? Perseverance. It took a disciplined approach over 72 holes. It was not what he did on one hole or one day. It's what he did over four days - and he did the best he could with every shot. Sometimes the holes went well; other times, not so much.
Controlling and managing diabetes takes perseverance. It's not about one meal or snack, or one day. It's about your life and how you choose to live it. Do you live it as a victim of the disease and just give up? Or, do you face it and work to control it? The choice is your's. Just remember, it's your life we are talking about.
It took about six for me to get a handle on controlling and managing diabetes. I took my medication. I started exercising. I changed and adjusted my diet. I was afraid of the disease and not willing to let it win. But, it still took months.
Control and management could take you months, or longer. But, you have to keep at it - you know you can do it. Sure, my diet might not work for you, but it will get you moving in the right direction so you can make those little adjustments that will lead to victory. You will be heading toward triumph and not giving in. You will be taking control of your diabetes
I have been asked why there isn't a 'handbook' for diabetics. We;;, we are all different and our body chemistry is different. Yes, there are established ranges and norms, but there is no one number that is right for everyone. Why do you think the 'normal' fasting glucose range is from 80 to 120? Because we are different! A woman I know goes into a sugar low if her glucose level gets below 70. I have had readings as low as 59 and 61 and still felt okay. Why is that? Because we are different.
Listen. Learn. Discover what works best for you. It's not a race; it's your life.
Two thoughts from Winston Churchill:
"If you are going through hell, keep going."
"Never, never, never give in."
What did it take? Perseverance. It took a disciplined approach over 72 holes. It was not what he did on one hole or one day. It's what he did over four days - and he did the best he could with every shot. Sometimes the holes went well; other times, not so much.
Controlling and managing diabetes takes perseverance. It's not about one meal or snack, or one day. It's about your life and how you choose to live it. Do you live it as a victim of the disease and just give up? Or, do you face it and work to control it? The choice is your's. Just remember, it's your life we are talking about.
It took about six for me to get a handle on controlling and managing diabetes. I took my medication. I started exercising. I changed and adjusted my diet. I was afraid of the disease and not willing to let it win. But, it still took months.
Control and management could take you months, or longer. But, you have to keep at it - you know you can do it. Sure, my diet might not work for you, but it will get you moving in the right direction so you can make those little adjustments that will lead to victory. You will be heading toward triumph and not giving in. You will be taking control of your diabetes
I have been asked why there isn't a 'handbook' for diabetics. We;;, we are all different and our body chemistry is different. Yes, there are established ranges and norms, but there is no one number that is right for everyone. Why do you think the 'normal' fasting glucose range is from 80 to 120? Because we are different! A woman I know goes into a sugar low if her glucose level gets below 70. I have had readings as low as 59 and 61 and still felt okay. Why is that? Because we are different.
Listen. Learn. Discover what works best for you. It's not a race; it's your life.
Two thoughts from Winston Churchill:
"If you are going through hell, keep going."
"Never, never, never give in."
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