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Monday, November 11, 2013

Starting Insulin soon



With only 50 days left, it’s safe to say that 2013 will not be the year of weight loss for me.  I just haven’t been able to get my act together this year.  Last month, I reached my all-time highest weight (again).  That’s 391 pounds for the record.  I’ve hit this number a couple of times now, but fortunately have not topped it and I don’t plan to.   I’ve been eating less over the last couple of weeks and my weight is back down to 382 lbs.  This is still at least seven pounds higher than my lowest weight this year.  Not good.  I want to make the best of the days left this year and take off at least ten more pounds before Christmas.  More would be better, but dropping even ten pounds would help me feel a bit better than I have been the last couple of months, which is sluggish.

Last week I met with my doctor for a follow up on my latest blood results.  One of the tests, the A1C measures the glucose in the blood over the last three months.  My doctor would like to see my number under 7.  My latest result was 9.8.   I am already on a ton of oral medications for my diabetes.  Bad eating and lack of exercise are working against the meds and now my doctor is prescribing a night-time dose of insulin.  I will meet with a nurse on Wednesday to go over how to inject the insulin. 

In the past, I didn’t want to start insulin and would fight my doctor’s recommendation.  I thought I could lower my numbers by dieting and eating less carbs.  The problem is that I never did it.  I should have started the insulin from the beginning.  It doesn’t help to dwell on the past or what I should have done (oh sure, that never happens); instead I need to focus on the present.  Changing my ways will take time.  I need to start somewhere and this week one thing I will work on is less evening snacking.  Instead of making a declaration that I will not snack at all this week, I will make a more realistic goal of only having an evening snack three times this week.  It’s a small step, but most importantly it is a doable step.

Other than starting insulin, nothing new is going on.  Work has been crazy and will continue to be so.  Fortunately, there is a restriction on overtime so I don’t have to sacrifice my home life for work. 

Hopefully when this week is done, I will have no regrets and will have made better food choices.

16 comments:

  1. Here's hoping that this is the beginning of health for you; I'm glad to see that you're not waiting until January to get back on the weight-loss wagon, too...you can make a nice difference by Christmas, for sure!

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  2. I'm sorry you're having to take the insulin injections, but they'll serve to protect your health while you work your way through the harder parts. I'm pulling for you!

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  3. Hi! Well, I'll be the "bad cop" here (vs. the lovely comments above) and say that you can change your life--today. Actually, this very moment. All of it. It doesn't "take time" to start eating right. You just have to be extremely tough on yourself and do it for your health. Then you follow a paleo-type diet and strictly count calories and quit eating *all* of the crap that is causing these serious medical problems. When you don't eat the crap, you can think of me--because I don't eat that crap either.

    Now from my kinder self--you deserve much better health than you have right now. *You deserve it.* Be tough with yourself out of love for yourself. At first, it will feel really awful like drug rehab, but it's very worth it. I say all of this because I care about you. :-)

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  4. The way I see it you can get busy living or get busy dying.

    Insulin may help you to achieve better blood glucose numbers but may also increase your weight.Which will probably lead to increased insulin resistance, and the continuance of the vicious circle.

    Insulin is often referred to by biochemists as the fat building hormone. In fact, the body cannot make body fat without insulin. It is very unusual to find an overweight individual who doesn’t also have elevated insulin levels. Type 2 diabetics, at diagnosis, will often be overproducing insulin.
    Insulin also inhibits the body’s use of stored fat as a source of fuel. Lowering insulin levels is extremely important, perhaps essential, for weight loss to succeed. This is one reason why low carb diets are particularly successful in weight loss since the fewer the carbs, the less insulin is required. Some may also find that they consume fewer calories without feeling hungry because their fat metabolism begins to work properly once more, allowing the body access to energy reserves in fat stores which were previously inaccessible.

    Please check out our website which I hope you will find helpful.

    Kind regards

    Eddie

    http://lowcarbdiabetic.co.uk/

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  5. Hi there

    Living with a Type 2 diabetic husband, who follows a low carb high fat diet, and is on minimal medication, metformin, I know from what others have said insulin is not an easy answer. You must of course do what you think is best for you, and what your Doctor advises.

    However, I particularly like this verse, and it may give you inspiration on your new path.... ' though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.'.

    I sincerely wish you all the best and would urge you to continue research into diabetes and how you can best help yourself to lower blood sugar numbers.

    Take care

    All the best Jan

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  6. You will be surprised that taking insulin is not a big deal at all. The flex pens are easy to use and now they have super tiny needles - just ask for the smallest millimeter needles.

    I actually think you'll find you will have more energy when your blood sugar is under control - you know I am in the same boat, and while its a pain in the ass, it is manageable. I will be your cheerleader!

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  7. ONLY? 50 days left? NO, there ARE still 50 days left. Kick the crap outta your house and use those 50 days to prove to yourself that you can do this! Start the new year lower in weight and lower in your blood sugars!! An A1C of 9.8 is out of control!!! You need to take control of this!! Tough love.
    Uncontrolled Diabetes leads to many scary consequences.
    Is insulin a bandaid for your problem? It may lower your blood sugars, which can play tricks with your mind, that "its coming down, so I can eat more"
    I say all this because I want you to be healthy!! I want to see blog posts of how youre blood sugars are in the 120s or you didnt have the piece of pie. Or that you were able to walk the steps, or play in the park, or go for a walk.
    Food comes first, exercise second. You can NOT out exercise a bad habit!

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  8. I only have one thing to add...have a great weekend!

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  9. Just checking in!! Hope you had a good weekend - today's a new day!

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear about all of this. I tend to lean towards what Marion said....time to forget platitudes, put yourself first and continue on the newest path you have put yourself on! You can do this! One step at a time. Don't look at the big picture; tackle each day as its own entity. :) Good luck, but it's not really luck. It's hard work, and dedication to one's self. :)

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  11. I keep surfing back by, looking for your "AI" post: After Insulin...
    I've been really down on myself for (once again) failing to achieve my stated goals this year, delaying the writing of my Big Season Wrap-Up post.
    "One Day at a Time" as Gwen and Marion says, is a great philosophy; I need to heed their advice as well.

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  12. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Hugs!

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  13. Yup, it's me checking in again! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving! Hugs!

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  14. So...status quo? A gain? What did you make happen in the last 30 days?

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  15. Stopping by to check in and see how its going for you?

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  16. I'm sorry that you're still struggling. Even those of us who have lost a few pounds still struggle, so know that you are not alone. I, too, follow the high fat/low carb plan, and that's what works for me. I wish you all the best, and I hope you find something that will work for you. If you keep trying, I am confident you will! Never give up, you've got a whole new year to look forward to!

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