Variety, The Spice of Type 2 Diabetic Life...

So, I've come to realize something during my time as a diabetic. Variety is an issue in the beginning. What I mean is, it doesn't seem like there is much variety to your diet. With having to read every single label in the grocery store and taking 3 hours to do the grocery shopping it can become quite frustrating.

 

What I have learned however is that after a time or two at the store reading the labels you don't have to do it as much. You already did and you already determined if that item is ok for you to have or not. Once getting to this point you can quickly finish your shopping and just take the things that you know that you can have right off of the shelf. Thank goodness.

 

With the extra time you now have, it might be nice to incorporate a bit of variety. You'll be amazed at the choices you have and if you aren't afraid to experiment a bit; you'll be suprised to see what different options you can create. For example, I love yogurt but not the plain kind that tastes like you are eating sour cream. Yuck!!  So, how about a teaspoon of splenda in it to sweeten it a bit or how about mixing some low sugar/carb granola into it. It tastes really good like that and is a great snack for times that you are tired of eating apples and veggies.

 

The other thing I have determined for myself (check with your doctor this is only my diet and not everyone's) is the fact that I can have regular salad dressing. Yes, I still need to be cautious as to how much i put on the salad but the small amount in relation to the entire day's allowance of sugar and carb grams isn't much. So that means i can have full flavor and cheat just a small bit. In the end I am  full, happy and satisfied with the taste and am not tempted to go and eat a candy bar.

 

So don't be afraid to experiment a little and don't give up. You can do this too! It just takes a bit of time and effort and you will soon find your comfort zone as a diabetic. As I always say....Any worthwhile journey begins with a single step.

 

Keep Walking! ~KG~

Diabetic Snack Attack...

One of the things I have found most difficult in my transition to a diabetic lifestyle is finding a good variety of snacks. It seems that most grocery stores offer a few things but your choices are very limited. I traditionally like chips for example..most any kind as long as they crunch. Most chips are made from potatoes and things that I cannot have.

 

Other sweet snacks that say sugar-free indeed are not okay for a type 2 diabetic to eat so you should definitely read every single label at the grocery store. It now takes me about 3 hours to get my shopping done but I am getting faster at it now that I know some things that I can have without having to read the label. At first, be diligent though.. take your time and read. You will find so called sugar-free items have other sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup and other things that will spike your sugar. Step away from those items and find something else. My general rule is if it has more than 3 grams of sugar per serving size (check that too if you plan on eating more than just one of the item) and more than about 25 grams of carbs, then stay away from it.

 

My theory is if I can only have 1 of something then why waste my time because I am just teasing myself. I'd eat one and then want more and I cannot. So I like to choose things that I can have a bit more, enjoy it and become satisfied. That's just me though.

 

One snack that I like that you might try are these really great baked pita chips made by Stacy's www.stacyssnacks.com they're really crispy and taste really good. They have different flavors but I like the Parmesan Garlic and Herb the best. As always.. your particular diet may not allow you to have these so be sure and read the package first. Have a great day, see you soon.

 

I've Gone for a walk after my Stacy's Pita chips :)   ~KG~ 

Diabetes Saved My Life...

So my mom asked me when I went to the doctor what he said. I told her that he didn't say much, he really didn't need to. Have you ever looked in someone's eyes and without them saying a word you knew exactly what they were saying? Well, that's kind of what happened to me when the doctor and I were talking about my type 2 diabetes. I looked in his eyes and he was kind enough to not say anything but, I knew what he was telling me.

 

I knew that if I didn't get something done and start making changes in my life I was going to soon be dead. So really diabetes has saved my life. What I mean is, I don't know that I would have started eating better or started walking and exercising the way that I am now. It has really given me something to work for .... Life. It really has given me a new life focus and a path and journey to follow through with. Diabetes I think has helped to save my life. I know this may seem weird but I like to find positives in adverse situations. There is a reason for this and I WILL answer the call. :))

 

I can't urge anyone who has this disease enough to just get out and start walking. Ok, enough with the sad stuff; I'm going for a walk and next time I will talk about what I am doing and what has been working for me in the 2 months since my diagnoses. Maybe it will be useful, helpful, inspiring, uplifting and hopefully funny for someone else. Until then.... Keep Moving and don't stop! ~KG~

How I Found Out....

I want to share a bit of my story today and how I learned that I have Type 2 diabetes. It was a bit shocking and scary but this is what happened. I went to bed one night just as I always do. When I woke the next morning I woke up and basically I was blind. Not the black-out kind of blind but the kind that everything and I mean EVERYTHING was extremely blurry.

 

I thought maybe my eyes were just not focusing yet and I just needed time to wake up. But, my vision did not improve. I was a bit nervous to drive to work that day because of my poor vision but decided that because I travel the same route everyday and I know the street signs well that I would just be careful. I really had no business driving and I don't think I would have made it if I hadn't driven that same route over and over each day.

 

By noon I still could not see so I made an appointment with the doctor and I had suspected that I might be diabetic since my Grandfather and my Uncle both have diabetes. Knowing this, I fasted for 12 hours before my appointment and upon arriving at the doctors office he tested my blood sugar level. It was 191 after fasting for 12 hours, not good! I was informed I have Type 2 diabetes and that I needed to make some life changes.

 

More of my story and lots of other things later but for now.. "I must walk."  ~KG~

It Starts With One Step...

Every worthwhile journey begins with just one step. What I mean, is that part of a diabetic journey is exercise. Modifying your diet is great but exercising will help your body to burn sugar as well as fat. Fat cells are known to inhibit your bodies insulin to process sugar as it should. So taking off a few pounds just might help to lower your sugar levels as well as get yourself back to your sexy days.

Just walk. I mean it. Even if you only walk 10 steps from the front door of your home to your mailbox, just walk. Do it in the morning before the mail has come, the neighbors will only think you have something important coming and that is the reason you keep checking the mail (wink). If you walk around the block, walk the dog, walk at the mall or walk across the parking lot at work to the building; Just walk and keep doing it.

I never realized how easy it was until I started doing it myself and it all began with just a few steps. I started walking at work. I get a 15 minute break 2 times per day and a 30 minute lunch. So, during my breaks.. morning and afternoon I walk the parking lot and again at lunch I walk around the parking lot. I'm not sure how far it is but I would guess that each day doing this I am walking about 1.5 or 2 miles. The funny thing is I can make phone calls and still walk. I also get some fresh air and it only takes up 7 minutes of my 15 minute break. That's less than half. The benefits of course you can just imagine. Anyway, the point is to keep moving; JUST WALK!

See you next time, I'm going for a walk ~KG~ :)