Just a quick check-in to say I'm alive! After making it through my exams, and starting a busy summer, i'll be posting regularly again!
I've been having a bit of a rubbish time with my diabetes lately, it's just not going well: high levels in the morning etc, so will be posting a few high sugar level related posts in the next week or two!
Rx
Friday, 24 May 2013
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Smoothies!
Welcome Back!
Well I can only apologise for my absence: uni has swamped me and I have so many side project on the go, there's no time to sleep!
I will admit, I've fallen off the exercise bandwagon recently. It's so miserable outside the last thing I want to do is exercise! But I know I must...
The good news is my hbA1c's are at 8 which is the best they've ever been. They could be improved, but at least I'm doing something right!
Now I HAVE been to the gym a few times...and you know what the most annoying thing is?!
Post-workout hypos. So tricky to manage! But I've found a trick or two to combat these nasty things.
Post-workout smoothies! Not the shop bought, packed full of sugar kind, but the all natural diabetic friendly kind. I've included a website below with some suggestion, which should combat the effects of exercise, while intaking minimal calories, and avoiding huge sugar spikes. Hope you find these useful! Let me know if you come up with your own! x
http://www.realage.com/information-on-diabetes/7-diabetes-friendly-smoothie-recipes-2?src=edit&chan=information-on-diabetes
Well I can only apologise for my absence: uni has swamped me and I have so many side project on the go, there's no time to sleep!
I will admit, I've fallen off the exercise bandwagon recently. It's so miserable outside the last thing I want to do is exercise! But I know I must...
The good news is my hbA1c's are at 8 which is the best they've ever been. They could be improved, but at least I'm doing something right!
Now I HAVE been to the gym a few times...and you know what the most annoying thing is?!
Post-workout hypos. So tricky to manage! But I've found a trick or two to combat these nasty things.
Post-workout smoothies! Not the shop bought, packed full of sugar kind, but the all natural diabetic friendly kind. I've included a website below with some suggestion, which should combat the effects of exercise, while intaking minimal calories, and avoiding huge sugar spikes. Hope you find these useful! Let me know if you come up with your own! x
http://www.realage.com/information-on-diabetes/7-diabetes-friendly-smoothie-recipes-2?src=edit&chan=information-on-diabetes
Friday, 4 January 2013
Happy New Year!
So it's that time of year again when people have a chance for a fresh start, and make those all important resolutions. One of my more sceptical friends commented "everyone makes a big deal about New Year, but it's all going to be the same as yesterday..."
I don't believe this though. I think people receive a new vigour in the new year, a new leas of life. Maybe it the fact it's not just YOU trying to make a change, but many others around you.
And essentially, most new years resolutions revolve around the same things. Be healthy and happy.
So when it came to making mine this year, Diabetes was at the top of my list. I'm at an age now, after having had it for so long, where i'm very aware of the future. I need to take better care of myself.
So here are my top Diabetes Resolutions for 2013:
1. Get my HbA1c's below 8. To some doctors the fact I've not had mine below 8 for so long may send chills down their spine, but to me I see myself working to wards a long term goal. I'm closer now than i ever was. Having been responsible for my diabetes and eating from 16 went I went away to school, and then uni, I found it very hard adjusting, and getting things right. At one period, my HbA1c's were up to 12! Now that's dangerous. They're currently at 8....so i'm close now!
2. Eat less sugar. You know what its like, when you're tired or stressed. You eat ALL the wrong things. But sugar spikes are not even good for non-diabetics, so unless hypo or during super special occasions (I wouldn't say no to some birthday cake for example...) I'm attempting to cut it out.
3. Keep this blog up to date! The thought of having somewhere to record my trials and tribulations where at least one other person may be able to relate, is a positive thing, so i'll aim for at least one post a week, but hopefully more.
4. And the final one I think is one of the most common resolutions all people make. Exercise more. I' starting off reasonable next week I think, going to the gym every other day, or at least 3 times a week, whichever one makes sense. Exercise is great for diabetics, because it increases the body's sensitivity to the insulin, meaning less insulin, and hopefully resulting weight loss. Now that's just common sense. I was doing pretty well going last year and then Christmas and my exams season hit and I fell off the wagon. It''l be easier in the spring and summer too when the weather's nicer and we tend to go out biking and walking more.
I don't believe this though. I think people receive a new vigour in the new year, a new leas of life. Maybe it the fact it's not just YOU trying to make a change, but many others around you.
And essentially, most new years resolutions revolve around the same things. Be healthy and happy.
So when it came to making mine this year, Diabetes was at the top of my list. I'm at an age now, after having had it for so long, where i'm very aware of the future. I need to take better care of myself.
So here are my top Diabetes Resolutions for 2013:
1. Get my HbA1c's below 8. To some doctors the fact I've not had mine below 8 for so long may send chills down their spine, but to me I see myself working to wards a long term goal. I'm closer now than i ever was. Having been responsible for my diabetes and eating from 16 went I went away to school, and then uni, I found it very hard adjusting, and getting things right. At one period, my HbA1c's were up to 12! Now that's dangerous. They're currently at 8....so i'm close now!
2. Eat less sugar. You know what its like, when you're tired or stressed. You eat ALL the wrong things. But sugar spikes are not even good for non-diabetics, so unless hypo or during super special occasions (I wouldn't say no to some birthday cake for example...) I'm attempting to cut it out.
3. Keep this blog up to date! The thought of having somewhere to record my trials and tribulations where at least one other person may be able to relate, is a positive thing, so i'll aim for at least one post a week, but hopefully more.
4. And the final one I think is one of the most common resolutions all people make. Exercise more. I' starting off reasonable next week I think, going to the gym every other day, or at least 3 times a week, whichever one makes sense. Exercise is great for diabetics, because it increases the body's sensitivity to the insulin, meaning less insulin, and hopefully resulting weight loss. Now that's just common sense. I was doing pretty well going last year and then Christmas and my exams season hit and I fell off the wagon. It''l be easier in the spring and summer too when the weather's nicer and we tend to go out biking and walking more.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Post Prandial Peaks.
These things suck.
Breakfast will consist of toast and maybe an apple, and my sugar levels will SKYROCKET, resulting in me feeling groggy head-achey and grumpy for a good hour or two. It used to be worse. I'd often over correct with insulin for these terribly couple of hours and then go out ad crash as I was busy getting on with my day!
Has anyone else experienced these?
There's a new quick acting inulin I'm lucky enough to get to try out soon, which is even quicker acting than humalog I was on. With luck it will help correct these a little, and I can actually eat a decent breakfast without burning out afterwards.
The pump is supposed to help with this also.
Oh well. It really is just a constant learning curve!
Has anyone else experienced these?
There's a new quick acting inulin I'm lucky enough to get to try out soon, which is even quicker acting than humalog I was on. With luck it will help correct these a little, and I can actually eat a decent breakfast without burning out afterwards.
The pump is supposed to help with this also.
Oh well. It really is just a constant learning curve!
DAFNE trial.
So I haven't posted in a while, which is truly terrible, but these things do happen.
This year i'm taking part in a research trial for Diabetics, where I take part in a week long course called DAFNE (dose adjustment for normal eating,), and get assigned to a group either with the insulin pump or with injections.
I am on injections now, have been for the past 13 years, and wish to keep it that way, but unfortunately i have been assigned to the pump group.
I will have the pump strapped to my side for a year.
Don't get me wrong, I know I should feel grateful. So many people are desperate to go on the pump, and in other countries i know they would have to pay a lot of money for the privilege. I know it will potentially be a change for the better. But I find changes like this hard, as they remind me of my illness, drag me out of my comfort zone kicking and screaming and force me to address the fact that my pancreas is dead and without modern medicine, so would I be.
Sorry to be a bit dark and depressing, I really know I shouldn't be.
So with that, I'll try and be a bit more positive. This year i have a chance to really get my diabetes under control, take charge of my life. Wish me luck, I might need it!
This year i'm taking part in a research trial for Diabetics, where I take part in a week long course called DAFNE (dose adjustment for normal eating,), and get assigned to a group either with the insulin pump or with injections.
I am on injections now, have been for the past 13 years, and wish to keep it that way, but unfortunately i have been assigned to the pump group.
I will have the pump strapped to my side for a year.
Don't get me wrong, I know I should feel grateful. So many people are desperate to go on the pump, and in other countries i know they would have to pay a lot of money for the privilege. I know it will potentially be a change for the better. But I find changes like this hard, as they remind me of my illness, drag me out of my comfort zone kicking and screaming and force me to address the fact that my pancreas is dead and without modern medicine, so would I be.
Sorry to be a bit dark and depressing, I really know I shouldn't be.
So with that, I'll try and be a bit more positive. This year i have a chance to really get my diabetes under control, take charge of my life. Wish me luck, I might need it!
Saturday, 25 August 2012
A bad day for carb counting...
Not feeling great today. I like many other people, tend to eat the wrong types of foods when I'm tired after a long day on my feet. One ice cream later, and I've got a headache, even though I've managed to get my levels down to 6.8.
This is due to over doing the insulin after the ice cream and then going hypo!
Hypos mean headaches.
And too much insulin means I need to practice my carb counting more!
The problem with a lot of people who have had diabetes for 10 or more years, is that the things we were taught way back when are no longer in use, and many new treatments are suggested , e carb counting. So we are stuck in our ways, and if the new method has not been introduced in the right way, we find it hard to adjust.
At least that's what I found. Carb counting was sprung on me at one appointment, and was not presented in the correct way, so I perhaps did not take it seriously. Now it is being introduced everywhere as the better way of leading a normal life.
So complicated...Gone are the days of set insulin doses and regular mealtimes.
Pretty rigid but still ingrained in many people as the best way of doing things...
What do you think?
This is due to over doing the insulin after the ice cream and then going hypo!
Hypos mean headaches.
And too much insulin means I need to practice my carb counting more!
The problem with a lot of people who have had diabetes for 10 or more years, is that the things we were taught way back when are no longer in use, and many new treatments are suggested , e carb counting. So we are stuck in our ways, and if the new method has not been introduced in the right way, we find it hard to adjust.
At least that's what I found. Carb counting was sprung on me at one appointment, and was not presented in the correct way, so I perhaps did not take it seriously. Now it is being introduced everywhere as the better way of leading a normal life.
So complicated...Gone are the days of set insulin doses and regular mealtimes.
Pretty rigid but still ingrained in many people as the best way of doing things...
What do you think?
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Excercise Motivation!
Following on from my last post, I thought I'd write my top ten motivational tips that helped me get back the gym the last time round! Nobody's perfect, but hopefully these will get you back on the right track!
1. Start slow:
So you're a little out of shape, maybe a little tired? Start slow: 30 minutes is the minimum recommended time for Diabetics to exercise per day, but start with 20 for the first week, and build it up to 30 and more. In the gym I like to do ten minutes on a treadmill, ten minutes on a bike, some rowing of cross trainer, and then maybe some leg and shoulder presses. Not for long, but just enough to start off with.
2.Treat yourself:
It sounds cliched, but allowing yourself a small treat after your first week of working out is a great motivator. Give yourself something to work for. Even, treat yourself to something small (not food, unless hypo!) after your first workout. It'll remind you to go again!
Also, invest in some nice workout clothes: you want to feel good working out too.
3. Look at the benefits:
Not even counting diabetes, exercise for anybody can relieve stress, cut your risk of heart disease and heart attack, and generally keep you in shape.
Now, for a DIABETIC, the benefits are incredible: increased insulin absorption, leading to potential decrease in amount, and thus weight loss, help preventing complications later in life, and lengthening life span.
4. Think how great you'll look! This one is self explanatory.
5. Put on LOUD music. Sometimes the gym's a little boring...I find it helps to drown things out and pass the time if I can't hear much else except my music!
1. Start slow:
So you're a little out of shape, maybe a little tired? Start slow: 30 minutes is the minimum recommended time for Diabetics to exercise per day, but start with 20 for the first week, and build it up to 30 and more. In the gym I like to do ten minutes on a treadmill, ten minutes on a bike, some rowing of cross trainer, and then maybe some leg and shoulder presses. Not for long, but just enough to start off with.
2.Treat yourself:
It sounds cliched, but allowing yourself a small treat after your first week of working out is a great motivator. Give yourself something to work for. Even, treat yourself to something small (not food, unless hypo!) after your first workout. It'll remind you to go again!
Also, invest in some nice workout clothes: you want to feel good working out too.
3. Look at the benefits:
Not even counting diabetes, exercise for anybody can relieve stress, cut your risk of heart disease and heart attack, and generally keep you in shape.
Now, for a DIABETIC, the benefits are incredible: increased insulin absorption, leading to potential decrease in amount, and thus weight loss, help preventing complications later in life, and lengthening life span.
4. Think how great you'll look! This one is self explanatory.
5. Put on LOUD music. Sometimes the gym's a little boring...I find it helps to drown things out and pass the time if I can't hear much else except my music!
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