Sunday, July 11, 2010

Down with DIabetes!


Ok, I've realized that I haven't gotten back into my routine since returning from Niagara Falls, I have in terms of diet pretty much but exercise... not so much. I keep hoping that that great feeling that I hear people speak of will arrive... but I still hate it, alot. I think it's mostly because at my size the joints are overloaded even walking into the gym... and then there's the lack of muscle... Anyway, I love the water and swim as much as possible which makes me wish I had a pool in my backyard... even a ghetto above ground one, those are great for creating a manual whirlpool, a memory from my youth. Maybe, I'll get one at those after-summer sales. So, I have told you all that I was diagnosed with Diabetes last July... well, one year later my A1C is 5.5, which for you non-diabetics is Literally non-diabetic. I, through eating healthy and losing weight have put my diabetes in complete remission. I can't say I'm cured because It runs in my family, but it is a non-issue these days. I have been off all meds since my surgery but the diabetes was the last thing to jump into line. Blood pressure was in normal range even while I was still in the hospital. Well, my cholestrial is slightly elevated but I am cutting out pork and beef to see if that helps. I am thrilled with my overall health progress and very excited about losing the weight... which is a bonus. As for my diet... i have changed a few basics. I already use reduced sugar ketchup which tastes the same but with less carbs. I changed to light ranch since I decided to eat more salad and dressing is where all the calories are... and I finally gave in to light mayonaise... which I hate since it tastes sweeter like Miracle whip. Anyway, I figured I hardly use mayo anymore since I don't eat any bread so I will use less in Tuna and Chicken salad if I hate it. What do you all do with your tuna salad, chicken salad, or for tartar sauce for fish? I want to keep making strives toward a completely healthy diet but keeping it unhealthy enough to enjoy it. Does that make sense? I am liking alot of healthier foods that I never did before too, which is good. I now get excited about high protein content, especially in things I really love. I never liked Salmon before I went to Alaska last September. I had to try Alaskan Salmon in Alaska... It was delicious, but I assumed that it was because It was so fresh... I tried it again about a month ago to see if the new healthier me liked it... and she did. The new healthier me loves salmon. Also, I used to absolutely love bacon, like alot. I mean it is the candy of meats, but the new healthier me. Not so much, It tastes salty to me now and since I know the calories, and fat content... I don't enjoy it anymore. Weird, right? a little over 4 months ago, I was dipping bacon in chocolate at the strawberry festival, wondering if there was anything better on Earth and today, well... I still love the chocolate. What about you? Did your taste buds change after your surgery? Do you now love things you never did or do you now dislike things that you used to love? .......As for my psychological being, I have been reading through all of Geneen Roth's books on food addictions and emotional eating. I read "Women, Food, and God" first, since it was on Oprah, that's what made me look into her books. It was excellent and eye-opening... Then I read "When Food is Love..." and again, It was soul searching and incredibly interesting. Now I am just starting "Breaking free of Emotional Eating"(or "Breaking Free of Compulsive Eating")... I'll let you know where that goes. I usually don't go for self-help books, all that visualize your goals and you will reach them crap... But Geneen's books are not written overly wordy or technically. They are easy to read and relate to... She tells different people's stories and it is amazing at all the different issues that can cause addictions and prolong them. Anyway, anyone who is reading this, how likes to read, should give them a chance. It is helpful to hear other people's stories and successes... You already know that if you are reading these blogs. Fantastic books... I tried a lapband support group with people who've had surgery with my surgeon and it didn't go well. I didn't feel comfortable there like I do here with you. Most of them were just complaining about my doctor's strict diet restrictions and goals. He believes in us and wants us to succeed, but you don't have to follow the diet exactly, just find your own way to success. Anyway, I may go back another time but not regularly. I didn't find it supportive, but I am just a newbie not even 4 months post-band, maybe that will change. I hardly ever see my therapist and I love her. It is just hard to make time and justify another co-pay if I don't feel like I need it. I will probably go this week. I hope everyone kicked ass on their weigh-ins today, I look forward to reading all about it later. Your Bandaid, *Maria*

15 comments:

  1. I am not a word processor... I mean, I line these blogs up with paragraphs and spaced apart etc... and then they always post like the ramblings of a crazy woman... Well, i guess they sorta are... but still! *M*

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  2. Congrats on your A1C test! That is great news!

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  3. Maria,
    Super Job with getting your numbers back into the normal range.. pat yourself on the back for that one. I totally understand hating the exercise. I am exercise resistant since as well.. but as I mentioned on my post, I realized that the only one holding me back from exercising was me. And you are right, the weight is a killer on the joints. That was MY reason for getting the surgery.. I needed to lose weight and stop this yo yo dieting syndrome..my knees were giving out. You mentioned diabetes runs in your family.. well knee replacements run in mine.. so I knew exactly where I was heading..
    Water aerobics IS the BEST exercise.. perhaps a Y is near you.. don't laugh at this one, but the retirement village in the town I live in, allows people from the township to use their pool.. so you may have that available to you..
    Anyway.. hang in there.. you are doing great with the food changes.. remember .. this is for life.. no one said you have to make all the changes in one year..

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  4. Oh that's awesome! I just got that book in the mail and am so excited to read it.

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  5. PS.. thank you for the comments on my other blog.. such is life.. but we are warriors!

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  6. The pool is where I started. I still swim, although I have worked my way up to other things like Zumba and stuff, but the pool really was all I could do at the beginning. Getting moving has been key to my losing lately...and the more I do it, the more fun it gets. I would have sworn to you I would NEVER say that. I'm still not dying to go out for a walk or go do a 5k or anything...but the things I like, I really like!

    Glad to hear your diabetes gone! That is one disease that scares me! Way to go, Maria!!

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  7. awesome about the diabetes :-)
    have you tried the recumbent bike at the gym? definitely a heck of a lot easier on the knees etc!!

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  8. YAY for the A1c!!! I remember the whirlpool in the back yard too! Too funny! I LOVE turkey bacon. A lot less cals and so I have 3 pieces with my scrambled eggs to boost my protein intake. Maybe you could give it a try. I don't eat cows or pigs so regular bacon hasn't been on my plate in years. Oh and I LOVE smoked salmon. Chicken of the Sea sells Smoked Salmon in a pouch and it is delish! It is approx 3 oz and approx 120 cals and 20 something protein! Very tasty!

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  9. Way to kick diabetes in the butt! :)

    I, too, am a pool person. I was doing Zumba and LOVED it but then we moved and I am without a job...so no $$ for gym memberships, classes or DVD's. Hence, why my goal this week is 30 minutes of treading water a day in our pool. Found a puddle jumper for Monster and hoping he'll get in off the steps and enjoy the pool now, too!

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  10. Diabetes GONE....buh-bye!!

    Way to go!!! You are doing so well. I will really have to look into Roth's books. I haven't made time to go to the bookstore which is so not like me seeing as though I have a mini library in my house. Since I have been on here I have read 3 or 4 people talking about this author. I've got to check that out. Congrats again.

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  11. I am so happy for you and your diabetes situation - that is fantastic. My mom was just diagnosed with diabetes this month and is still working on making the adjustments - Exercise - have you thought about a gym with water aerobics plus you can have swin time.
    Hmmm - bacon the candy of meats - this is a true and profound thought. Being from the South bacon is a diet staple - In fact is is part of the four Southern food groups - Fat, Sugar, Salt and Alcohol

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  12. Hallelujah to kicking the diabetes to the curb baby!

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  13. Yeah for booting diabetes out of your life. My number went down below 6. You are cured for now and will stay that way now that you have the band. I too am reading the Women, Food and God book and found it really helpful to not diet. I love lots of healthy food now and haven't had a piece of steak since last January-haven't wanted to try yet. I do eat junk food at times but overall I crave good food-fish I love. I do use the Miracle Whip light (not the no fat one) and add some pickle relish to put on top of fish. My other favourite is using fruit salsa, especially mango. Try http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Mango-Salsa-5707 or just google it. You are doing great. Keep it up!

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  14. Wow congratulations no more diabetes!! Thats great!!

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  15. WOW! That is awesome about your diabetes. I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago, and despite losing over 40 pounds, it is still out of control. :( I am hoping that after the surgery (tomorrow!) things will turn up for me!

    Congrats! Great work!

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