Diabetes

DIABETES & ME

In early January 2011 I learned that I had Type II diabetes. The news devastated me. As with most folks who are given bad news regarding their health, I went through the predicted stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I then picked myself up and got my butt to work on the situation. Although diabetes is a big part of my life now—it forces me to do a fair amount of work, planning, and scheduling each day—it doesn’t define who I am and I refuse to let it beat me!

Since being diagnosed early this year, I’ve taken steps to improve my health: I’ve radically changed my diet—changing both my eating and drinking habits—I use the treadmill multiple times every week, and I test my blood sugar regularly as well. Sounds very simple and easy, doesn’t it? Let me tell you, it was neither: it was a lot of work! But right from the start, I was highly motivated to make whatever changes were necessary in order to improve my health, because I desperately wanted to be healthier and I did not want to have to go on meds for this condition.

To make a long story short, the changes I made paid off—big time! After working hard on improving my health, my blood sugar test results—with precious little exception—read at normal levels (i.e., normal for someone without diabetes). In addition, my overall cholesterol score has dropped dramatically to 129. My blood pressure—which has always been on the high side—has improved greatly. My resting heart rate has dropped from the 90s to the 60s (I’m serious: it was in the 90s at rest). And I’ve also lost a total of 45 lbs and have kept every one of those off for six months now. And, I am doing this all without having to take any medication for my diabetes!

Again, achieving these results has not been easy: I’ve put a whole lot of time and hard work into becoming healthier. Things are going as well as or better than I could have hoped for—and I intend to keep it this way for as long as I can! _____________________________________________________

Below are a couple of before and after photographs.

In the first photograph, taken in the fall of 2010, I weighed 230 lbs. I knew I was getting “bigger,” I just had no idea how big. (Note: Please ignore the goofy ball cap! The photo was taken during a Red Hat Society lunch outing which I had been invited to by a group of my female residents—I do social service work in an independent living senior high-rise.)

In the second photograph, I appear as I do now (November 2011). My weight in this photograph is 185 lbs. I think I look a little healthier now! Wish me luck!

I invite comments.