I have the day off from work today. Gabriel is sick, however, so it's not a happy go lucky day. I took him to the doctor and it turns out he has bronchitis. So, our family sickness saga continues. Who will be sick next week???
Last week I got a letter from my doctor's office. A fasting blood test showed high blood sugar levels. Friday I had to go and do a postprandial blood check. Basically they measured my fasting blood sugar, sent me out to have a hearty, starchy breakfast, and two hours later they measured my blood sugar again. The fasting blood sugar was within the range, but on the high side, and the postprandial level was definitely high. So they sent me to the lab again to do a hemoglobin A1C test. And I have a follow up appointment on Friday, when they will tell me what the official diagnosis is and what is the recommended treatment. In the meantime, the nurse asked me to try to limit my intake of refined carbohydrates.
This is a wake-up call for me, the one I had been dreading but seemed destined to get before I finally gave in and started taking better care of myself. And it is a very recent occurrence. My last blood test before this was in November (for a life insurance screening) and everything came back normal. During the holidays I gained 10 lbs and I am convinced that is what threw my body chemistry out of whack and put me over the edge.
I was very upset on Friday. I have known for a while that if I did not shape up, someday I would be facing this. But it is not real until it actually happens. All I could think of was my father and how he died of diabetes. So naturally I have been concerned.
Since Friday I have been very attuned to my symptoms. I have also made a promise to myself to be more mindful of what I eat, so I can make better choices. I have started an online food journal on Fit Day (best of all, it is free). I am reading a couple of cookbooks that I have had for while, which feature healthy recipes (those that preach moderation, not deprivation). I bought a book called Stop Prediabetes Now to see what can I learn about this.
In the end, I know the reason I am going through this is because I am overweight. And I am overweight because I do not eat right and I hardly exercise. I very much want to get back to a healthier weight and lifestyle. I am just very scared I will not follow through with it.
changing the way and what you eat is very difficult. even when your health is at stake. I spent a year full of anger and tears over all of the fods I HAD TO GIVE UP due to my own medical issues. It was one of the hardest things I've ever been through,....am still going through.
ReplyDeleteHang in there...it does get easier.
Hope the kids feel better soon too.
Adelante, Ingrid. Hacer cambios es una de las cosas más difíciles del mundo, pero poco a poco lo lograrás. Estás a tiempo, eres joven y tendrás el apoyo de tu familia y amigos.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo,
Enid
I can only imagine how upsetting this would all be. Sending many hugs and thoughts of courage and peace.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry....Sounds like you are taking charge of it though. I'll be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. But, sometimes what seems awful is a whole new beginning. Treat it as a way to feel better, physically and emotionally. Use it as your excuse to get "me" time by going to the gym and taking care of yourself. Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the words of encouragement. I really appreciate them. I am taking things one day at a time, trying to stay positive and determined. Keeping the food journal definitely helps, and I found another free website I like even better than FitDay.
ReplyDeleteHey Ingrid--I have a tendency to blog about future activities just so I have that extra push to get it done. :-P
ReplyDeleteDiabetes runs in my family, too (lost 2 grandparents to it, my father had it) and I made an extra effort to watch my health when I got sober. Start with small changes...and you'd be amazed how easy it is to follow through with things... There is a lot of good, good, healthy food out there.