I had my six month visit with Doogie Howser (not his real name ... but his real age!) last Thursday. He walks in and asks (as always) "How are you doing?" I answered "Embarrassed."
He grinned and told me to spill the beans. Six months ago I had committed to next week. For all of those weeks! So he gave me one more chance before I have to get my blood work done (to bring down the AIC levels). Six weeks. Six weeks of eating holidays. Christmas cookies are my favorite! And Chex Mix.
I know I should be moving more and eating better. Both of us think that's all it would take. Being the procrastinator I am, I'd say OK, for sure I am starting ... NEXT WEEK, because six months is a long way off and I can beat this in just three months. I wanted to lose weight before the big wedding. (I'm embarrassed to look at photos of myself) and yet I didn't. So this is my last chance.
Otherwise, I go on meds for Type II Diabetes.
Well, what is wrong with being on medication? So many oldsters I know (including one of my brother) take pills. I have a YOUNG friend who learned she had Type II and she began the battle. Cutting way back on carbs (and she is a FABULOUS cook), doing a cleanse once a week, eating earlier in the day and moving more EVERY SINGLE DAY. She reversed it! And lost a little weight to boot. Visit Leslie at Breakfast with God (https://breakfastwithgod.net/2018/.) In fact, I think she did a whole week of fasting/cleansing to kick start her metabolism.
When I was casually thinking of taking the easy way out, she reminded me of all of the horrible side effects of diabetes. Once I read all of the things that can happen as a result of diabetes, I, too, was scared witless.
The following list is from the Mayo Clinic website. Verbatim.
- Heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke, narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy). Excess sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish your nerves, especially in the legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward. Poorly controlled blood sugar can eventually cause you to lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs. Damage to the nerves that control digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue.
- Kidney damage (nephropathy). The kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessel clusters that filter waste from your blood. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, which often eventually requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- Eye damage. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of other serious vision conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
- Foot damage. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of various foot complications. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections, which may heal poorly. Severe damage might require toe, foot or leg amputation.
- Hearing impairment. Hearing problems are more common in people with diabetes.
- Skin conditions. Diabetes may leave you more susceptible to skin problems, including bacterial and fungal infections.
- Alzheimer's disease. Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The poorer your blood sugar control, the greater the risk appears to be. The exact connection between these two conditions still remains unclear.
Luckily for me, I still like to cook. I made spaghetti and meatballs (spiralized zucchini noodles)(enough for two dinners). Spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, toasted nuts and chevre with a grilled piece of salmon. One half of a 2" potato (my dessert!). One night Jesse grilled steak. Tonight will be cauliflower mashed potatoes, stir "fried" mushrooms, peppers, onions, carrots and green beans with a baked chicken breast. I'm going to make a chicken bone broth based cabbage soup for one day.
It is possible for me to eat better. No more finishing up the boys' french fries or mac n cheese. More protein. More fabulous salads (my sister is the ultimate salad chef so I'm going to mimic her). Fortunately I do not have a sweet tooth, so eggs in the morning are perfect (instead of skipping breakfast).
Send me positive vibes!
Darn it! I hit publish instead of schedule. Two blogs in one day!!!
ReplyDeleteI need to get serious about changing my diet, but I'm waiting until after the holidays. This post is a good reminder though, to not do any more damage than necessary in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a tough time to be a good eater ... but not impossible! ANd I will still have fun! I'm already sleeping better and have a bit more energy.
DeleteWow, that long list of negative effects of diabetes is reminding me to cut back on sugar and carbs. You list some delicious healthy foods in that last paragraph and I am sending you positive vibes.
ReplyDeleteI tell you the mashed potato cauliflower is GREAT! Birds Eye frozen that you just microwave. I add a little cream cheese while it was setting for the last minute or two. Little substitutions! Now for a cauliflower pizza crust!
DeleteOh, it's such a struggle. I've been trying so hard lately, but it's slow. I mean slooooow.
ReplyDeleteI love pasta and potatoes.
Good luck to you. You can do this.
It is a struggle. COMFORT FOODS! Do try the spiralized zucchini Italian style.... delish! I have also made lasagna with lengthwise slices of zucchini.
DeleteI made "hash browns" this morning with the half size portion .. onions, mushrooms with a side of eggs! Fried til crispy.
I did sneak three fries from the boys dinner ....
I'm a Type 2 that's been on metformin for several years. I eat whatever I want (bad things) and my A1c is 5.7. I take for granted that it will be this way forever, but your list reminds me that it could easily change if I don't gain some control and reign in my want for sugars. I did not know of the Alzheimer's connection, and as that runs in my family, that info alone may be enough to make me do what I know I need to do. Thanks for sharing this list!
ReplyDeleteUsually Type II can be prevented or at least kept at bay. That's a long list of things that could happen to my body. I just need to do my share in warding them off.
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