Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
The Uncertainty of Diabetes
Failure: When Diabetes Gets the Best of You
https://medium.com/the-mission/a-tolerance-for-uncertainty-is-the-price-of-admission-for-an-extraordinary-life-a745db742047?email=jayallen%40villainoustype2.com&g-recaptcha-response |
I subscribe to quite a few website, some diabetes related but others are not.
Still, this article totally unrelated to diabetes made me think for a moment.
He wrote about uncertainty and creating certainty anchors:
for me diabetes has a mind of its own and is my uncertainty
But
I can exercise each day
I can write each day
I can pay attention to my eating
I can test consistently
I can ask for help when needed
I can create my anchors that will help me stay on tract.
Now when things don't work and I'm disappointed I have choices
Do I obsess about it?
Spend energy trying to change something I can't?
Try to make myself feel better by spending money I don't have or eating what I shouldn't?
OR
Surrender
Allow the feelings without obsessing
Don't fight the past
Get back up, keep going and if there is something to learn,
accept the learning experience for what it is,
using the knowledge to help manage my diabetes.
Our mindset can work for us, helping us stay positive even when the outcome
isn't what we hoped for or when negative.
Create your anchors.
What you do and who you hang out with can make a difference.
I fail - I will never be perfect and diabetes will make my life
different from what I had imagined.
different from what I had imagined.
It's going to be okay.
I can't obsess over it or ignore it (consequences).
Instead,
I choose to do my best
trying and learning,
repeating the positives
and
trying to reduce and eliminate the negatives.
Each day is a new day - today though -
not tomorrow -
but today I will do my best.
Do you have positive
affirmations or anchors
affirmations or anchors
that help you each day?
Have a great numbers day!
Jay
Friday, November 16, 2018
One Hour A Day = 365 Hours
One Hour A Day = Big Changes
Watch
What's an Hour?
Expressions tell us how we feel about time:
Killing time.
Wasting time.
Time filler.
Time flies.
Greatest gift is time.
Where did the time go?
The clock is ticking.
If I could turn back time.
Things money can't buy:Time
Time is the most valuable thing a person can spend.
Lost time is never found again.
Now think about these
Those who waste their time are the first to complain they have no time.
Make time by planning your day.
Use time as a tool
Take care of the current moments.
Know the true value of time.
But these two hit home:
To say "I don't have time," is saying "I don't want to".
You know what truly matters by where you spend your time (and money)
Guilty.......
I say there are things I want to do but don't have time.
Truth is, I don't make time.
What Does an Hour Look Like?
1 hour a day = 365 hours
or
9.125 40-hour work weeks
or
15.2 days
or
2.17 weeks.
What can you do in that time?
Instead of letting the day happen to you,
what would happen if you planned your day?
I'm not talking rigid planning
and
it doesn't have to be an hour.
Look at your calendar.
Look at your day.
Look at your phone use.
Look at the tv/screen/game/surfing time.
Where is there spare time if you make an honest assessment?
If you don't schedule your day-
If you don't pay attention to how you
spend
waste
kill
use
YOUR time
No one else will
In fact:
everyone will be happy to tell you how THEY want you to use your time.
everyone will be happy to tell you how THEY want you to use your time.
My Plan
My calendar has become full of stuff to do
Important stuff that has to be dealt with.
Stuff with deadlines.
Stuff that requires travel and meetings.
Even with all this stuff,
there are moments,
there are times,
of waiting, sitting,
downtime that I know I could use better.
We all need downtime
but I keep saying there are things I wish I had time to do.
Well,
I'm going to schedule some time
IN MY CALENDAR
Not just think it
PLAN IT
Not just wish I had the time
MAKE THE TIME
And those little blimps of time?
My notebook has a paperclip on some back pages for ideas.
things that need more thought-
things that need research-
food and recipes-
exercise ideas-
diabetes research-
dreams.
What do you wish you had more time for?
Logging food?
Working out?
Cooking better?
Do you see any time in your day that could be better "spent"?
Do you see any time in your day that could be better "spent"?
Have a great day!
Jay
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Quitting Diet Soda
Quitting Diet Soda
Love My Diet Dr. Pepper |
Quitting Diet Soda is HARD
I can't believe how hard it is to stop drinking diet soda.
I love it.
I love Dr Pepper
I used to drink cans, as in cases, as in more than I should..
Even before I was diagnosed with Type 2,
I eventually switched to Diet when available slowing eliminating sugar soda forever.
Then came the "just one a day" over 10 years ago.
Still, I went to Cambodia and took a bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper syrup,
bought carbonated water when we arrived,
and
made my own since it wasn't available there.
That's love.
I know others share my love.
I took my own can into a convention in my purse.
When I opened the can, I had a woman ask me where I found my soda.
She had looked in every vending machine only to be disappointed.
When I said I brought my own I thought she was going to cry.
The love runs deep and the love runs true.
Diet Pepsi? Nope
Diet Coke? Yuck
Diet Root Beer? Negative
Diet Sprite? Never
Diet Mountain Dew? Yew
Occasionally I will drink ICE in certain flavors
But
they just aren't Diet Dr. Pepper
It is only day 2
Day 2
I am on my second day.
There is none in the motorhome and I want to cry.
Diet Pepsi sits on the ledge (my BF favorite)
But
I am not that desperate yet.
But
they just aren't Diet Dr. Pepper
It is only day 2
Day 2
I am on my second day.
There is none in the motorhome and I want to cry.
Diet Pepsi sits on the ledge (my BF favorite)
But
I am not that desperate yet.
Close....
but not yet.
UGH....
Withdrawal Symptoms
I researched diet soda withdrawals
Yes - there are withdrawal symptoms ranging from:
headaches
aches
pains
migraines
appetite changes
brain fog
food cravings and hunger
depression or mood dip/swings
dizziness
fatigue
heart palpitations
insomnia
restlessness
Caffeine or Aspartame?
Is it caffeine or aspartame withdrawal?
Is it both?
Some recommend adding coffee or tea to drink.
The caffeine is less plus coffee and tea are natural.
Adding a little caffeine is supposed to help with that side of the withdrawals.
I was trying to reduce my use of artificial sweeteners.
I use quite a bit.
Being diabetic, I tend to rely on sugar free creamer, diet soda, and sugar free stuff.
Even my fiber cereal has sucralose.
*Sigh*
I might need a program
or maybe reward myself to one or five on the weekend?
Have you quit using artificial sweeteners?
Have you quit soda - any kind?
Did you have withdrawals and if so, what did you do?
HELP!!
Here's to a great numbers day!
Jay
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Diabetes Related Blogs, Websites, and Forums and Too Much Social Media
Diabetes Related Blogs, Websites, and Forums
One Website of Many
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/?loc=util-header_type2This is one of many websites that I look at for information.Do you know how many blogs, websites and forums there are where diabetes is talked about?Too many for me to visit them all. I found I would search for something in particular THEN hours later I was looking at all types of random stuff. Interesting stuff BUT not what I had originally set out to look for. Dinner recipe? Beautiful pictures of meals that I won't cook making me feel inadequate as we eat sandwiches BECAUSE I lost track of time looking (but not using) recipes! Many more examples of looking up food programs, diabetic-friendly food, CGMs, and stuff only to end up getting lost in the world of Social Media. As much as I want to improve my knowledge and keep up on new ideas I tend to get lost in "research" Mindfulness And MinimalismThe new buzzwordsPut Mindfulness with Minimalism and you have what Facebook Live sessions are preaching by advertisers and your friends! ANYWAY I am going to start being more mindful of technology. Social Media fuelsEnvy - Comparison - Anxiety - DepressionEnvy and ComparisonWe see the perfection on the Internet, look at our lives, comparing pictured perfectionwith REALITY causing Anxiety and Depression I'm not perfect at managing my diabetes. I'm not perfect with my workouts. I'm not perfect with my numbers, any of them. I'm not perfect with responding on the forums I belong to. I don't have time to do it all or be "perfect". The GoalThere are so many blogs, websites, and forums that I could sit in front of the computer all day and night.I get too much information I get conflicting information I don't use the information. Time to take responsibility for my TIME. HOW??Set times for internet useLook for what I need and stop when I find it Check social media once - or less! - a day, or week or whatever needed Pick the sites that are useful to me Unsubscribe from useless emails Delete emails that don't have information needed now! (you can always Google it later!) Although there are many diabetic friendly websites and forums which contain useful information, don't rely too much on social media. "Connections" on social media can leave us isolated in real life, in real time. Pay attention when with friends and family Find local groups where you can create real contacts Create true relationships by acting genuinely, face to face, in person. Live life in real time doing what truly matters. Put the knowledge you get from the Internet to use by getting off the Internet and participating in your own care. Off to cook dinner with a recipe I found using chicken, asparagus and mushrooms. Low carb and quick. Computer off Have a great numbers day! Jay |
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Small Changes - Big Differences
Small Changes - Big Differences
Not So Good Day |
Good Day |
Making Good Habits
Have you ever made a decision to change something and yet
no matter what you do, things don't change?
You can see where my good habits aren't really habits.... yet.
Here are a few things I need to do
Environment matters:
Change your environment to help you make changes
Put your medication and vitamins where you see them to help you remember to take them
Put your alarm clock on the other side of the room so you have to get out of bed
Make your bedroom a place to sleep
Put your books where you read
Buy healthy food and leave the junk at the store
Find what works and repeat it
Hang out with like minded people
Organize space for a specific reason
Automate:
It's easy to eat one of three breakfasts knowing my numbers will be okay
Attach desired habit to an already establish habit
so take medicine when brushing teeth for example
Habits free up time by eliminating the need to spend time deciding on
what to eat, when to work out, where to eat
Change my thinking
Start with repetition not perfection
Improvement compounds with time (like interest!)
Find like minded friends and interest groups
Find the benefit and pleasure in the new habit
Measure results - the graphs above are a measurement of each day
pictures measure some results as well (Yikes!!!)
Habits
Some things have to change
yet
the habits I need to focus on have been hard while living in a motorhome
Food
Exercise
Life
Food - eat right
Exercise - walk each day, add weights when possible
Life - stay positive, look for the good, and remember
Life is a journey and I should be designing my world
NOT
just floating and being a consumer watching time go by
Changes are easier said than done
but knowing what I need to put effort into
making my environment support my goals
and
automating good habits
will hopefully
make it easier to change
make it easier to enjoy
make it easier to create.
Have a great day, in all ways,
Jay
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Patient-Centered Care
Patient-Centered Care
American Diabetes Assoc. New Consensus Report |
Consensus Report
How exciting!
Here is an except from the report.....
"The ADA-EASD Consensus Report recommends patient-centered care that accounts for each individual’s health history and status, weight, costs of care, and preferences. While the algorithms focus on the choice of diabetes medications, the report also highlights the critical importance of comprehensive lifestyle management and diabetes self-management education and support in the overall health of people with type 2 diabetes."
Goals of Care are Front and Center:
Prevent complications and optimize quality of life.
This is great as I see my dad, who is in his 80s, suffer from uncontrolled diabetes.
7 Steps Done (at least) 2x a Year
1. Assess key patient characteristics
2. Consider factors that impact treatment
3. Share decision making to make a plan
4. Agree on a plan
5. Implement plan
6. Ongoing monitoring and support with monitoring blood glucose
AND
mental health, nutrition, weight, fitness, exercise, medication tolerance, stopping smoking, etc
7. review, return to step 1 at least 2x a year
Finally!
I am a complex person with a complex disease.
Put me in a room with other diabetics and we will have similar experiences
yet
we will all be very different.
Each of us can do the exact same thing and get different results
because
diabetes can have a mind of its own.
Colds, stress, lack of sleep, allergies or whatever a day throws at you
can make management difficult.
Add another health issue
- thyroid, heart, cancer, celiac, autoimmune, or anything else -
and diabetes becomes even harder to manage
I am glad the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes
recognize all patients deserve to be treated based on OUR individual life factors.
If your doctor is treating just your diabetes,
bring up this report and show them the steps.
All diabetics deserve and need to be treated as the unique people we are
for the best quality and length of life we can have!
Have a great numbers day!
Jay
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
How Many Carbs Can I Eat?
An Opinion
I read this article with interest.
I want to eat healthy but now it seems healthy is a term that is just thrown around.
Here are just a few that I looked at
Paleo
Keto
High Carb
Low Carb
Smart Coffee
DASH
Mediterranean
Vegetarian
Vegan
Vegan Before 6
Volumetrics
Biggest Loser Diet
Weight Watchers
Where to Start
After reading about all the different diets
and
all the different opinions,
I like the statement by the ADA:
In the long run, the eating pattern that you can
follow
and
sustain
that meets your diabetes goals will be the best option for you.
I think I will start the Jay Diet.
Eat and test
Add exercise and weight lifting
Eat and test
Find a program to track food:
macros and micros
Let's see what happens!
What diet or eating program do you follow?
How have you made it your own?
Have a great numbers day!
Jay
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
The Lump in My Throat
The Lump in My Throat
My throat is sore
There is a lump in my throat.
The lump makes it hard to swallow.
I ask my Dr to take a look while on one of my many required visits.
Throat Area |
Nothing.
There is no lump that she can feel or see.
No drainage, no allergy symptoms.
UGH!
Acid Reflux or GERD
No I say
I don't have acid reflux or GERD
I don't have heartburn or any burning feelings.
Do you burb?
Are you nauseous?
She asks question after question.
Some I say yes to like burping, bloating and nausea
which I kind of figured Metformin was the culprit
since it upsets my stomach a bit.
since it upsets my stomach a bit.
I learned all the symptoms I was complaining about:
sore throat
lump in throat
burping
nausea
bloating
are signs of GERD.
She gave me some ideas of things to do
AND
a warning that acid reflux was not to be messed around with.
If the suggestions didn't work, try OTC medications.
I really don't want more pills to take so let's see what I can do first!
Reducing Acid Reflux/GERD
Things to Do and Watch Out For
Eat small meals
Eat slowly
Chew completely
Eat slowly
Chew completely
Lose weight
Don't lay down after eating
Avoid eating before bedtime
Watch citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, spicy and fatty foods
Limit alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee and tea
Don't smoke
Beware of aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain medications
Wear loose clothing (No tight skinny jeans!)
Have Heartburn/Acid Reflux Now?
Stand up straight
Sip baking soda and water
Ginger
Licorice
Sip apple cider vinegar
Chew gum
Loosen pants and belts or any tight clothing
OTC medications
Just for Me
SO
I eat fast, don't chew, gulp, and tend to drink lots of soda.
Starting here -
changing the way I eat by slowing down,
chewing completely,
swallowing normally
and
sipping water.
Going to act like my granddaughter who takes 30 minutes
to eat
Oatmeal!!
Have you dealt with heartburn, acid reflux and/or GERD?
What has helped?
What makes it worse?
What has helped?
What makes it worse?
Have a great day!
Jay
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Freestyle Libre Sensor Placement: Inside Arm
Freestyle Libre Sensor Placement: Inside Arm
I can't wait to remove this sensor!
Monday, October 1, 2018
Chia Seed Revisited
Chia Seed Revisited
I received an email from diatribe about chia seeds.
Chia Seeds
https://diatribe.org/50-shades-chia-pudding-diabetes-breakfast-revolution
Chia Seeds
https://diatribe.org/50-shades-chia-pudding-diabetes-breakfast-revolution
I tried them - twice - about a year ago.
I threw both bags away.
They tasted like mold.
After throwing away the first bag I read up on chia seeds.
Ok -
maybe they were old
maybe they need to be refrigerated
maybe I need to eat them faster
maybe I made them wrong?
LOL!!
How can you mess up adding liquid and letting sit??
Still:
Second bag tasted like mold too.
Threw it away after trying a bunch of recipes that were supposed to hide the taste.
Do I try again?
Deciding to Try Again
I decided to try again.
I bought a bag at Target -
I know
Target!
But I was there and decided to give it a try for $5.
Some Tips
Chia seeds are high in fiber: beware if you aren't used to eating lots of fiber
Bloating. Gas. Diarrhea. Constipation. Just to mention potential side effects.
Take it easy when first adding chia seeds to your diet.
Chia seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids which can thin blood out.
Blood pressure could potential drop. If you have issues with either
of these, ask your doctor.
Monitor your blood sugar, especially if taking medication for glucose control.
Studies have shown that chia seeds may increase the activity of certain drugs.
As a diabetic I usually test more when eating something new or different.
No Moldy Taste - YAY!!
So I added a teaspoon to my cereal and there was really no taste difference.
So I tried a small amount of seeds soaked in a little almond milk.
Gel - I got thick milk with crunchy bits.
Now this wasn't a recipe or a way I would eat them but more of a test:
Was the moldy taste there?
It wasn't!!
I'm going to try to incorporate chia seeds into some recipes to see if
the added fiber makes a difference.
If you didn't like them like me
Try a different brand
Try a different store (old seeds are not good!)
Try a different recipe,
Good luck and have a great numbers day!
Jay
So far I haven't noticed any issues adding chia seeds to my usual breakfast.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
FreeStyle Libre Sensor Placement
FreeStyle Libre Sensor Placement
Messed Up Again
I wanted to do a test:
attach a sensor early, without activating, to see if accuracy improved
especially at the beginning.
I attached the new sensor which promptly bled.
Although the sensor has worked fine
I made a mistake - one I have made before:
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Freestyle Libre and Early Startup Part Two
Freestyle Libre and Early Startup Part Two
Test Complete, I think
So today the Libre started working after the 12 hour start up.
Here is my observation:
The initial scans were higher than the usual initial scans.
I try to attach and start the 12 hour startup before I go to bed.
I wake up to a ready to go for 10 days sensor.
Usually the initial scans are low, as in check your blood low.
Below the 70
August 29 after 12 Hour Startup |
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Freestyle Libre and Early Startup
Freestyle Libre and Early Startup
I read where people attach, but not activate, their Freestyle Libre early.
Supposedly this helps the calibration to be more accurate.
I wanted to try last time but had blood come through the center of the new sensor.
Now it's time for a sensor change.
I have 12 hours left on the old sensor so this morning I attached a new sensor.
Freestyle Libres Old and New |
Monday, September 17, 2018
Libre Sensor and Blood Part Two
Libre Sensor and Blood
Part One
I have a bleeder!
New Libre Sensor with Blood |
I haven't had this happen before.
I wanted to attach a new sensor early to see if it would help with accuracy.
Blood! Yikes!
I got on line and found out varying results
SO
Part Two
I removed the old sensor - leaving 2 hours on the table.
I activated the new sensor and started the 12 hour countdown.
Bedtime.
In the morning, I scanned the sensor.
LO, LO, LO
Oh man - seemed like the sensor wasn't very accurate
PLUS
we were traveling and I packed my test strips and meters.
They were somewhere, somewhere in a motorhome full of random storage.
UGH.
I decided to let the sensor try to work while I searched for the meter.
LATER
I found my meter!
3:08pm Libre VS Meter |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)