The good, the bad and the ugly

Thursday, January 17, 2013

I just returned from a cruise and weathered Christmas with no excuses. 9 months ago, I just accepted that holidays meant weight gain but now, it's a fun excuse to buy new size 14 clothing and to put on my swimsuit.

I've had so much support from friends and family but there are those who just aren't happy about my changes. This weekend, I visited my sis in law for the first time since my diagnosis of diabetes that changed my life. I got out of the car and my bro in law was shocked...he hugged me and told me I looked fantastic. (From size 22 to 14 and from grey hair to red so the changes are pretty monumental) The neighbour was also outside and he also commented on how great I looked. I was excited to get inside to show my sis in law and I walked in the door with a huge smile to....crickets. Not a single comment about the changes. I was stunned. I didn't say anything for the first hour or so but then I asked what she thought of my new hair colour. "It looks good" was the reply.
After dinner, she offered me chocolates. I declined and noted she didn't seem happy.

My sis in law was a size zero. She had a quick metabolism and although she ate a lot of junk and large portions, she never gained a pound until menopause and then it caught up. She's still lovely but she's about a size...14. Her size seems to be I creasing as mine decreases and it seems to make her uncomfortable which is a shame.

Ah well, we can't change anyone but ourselves and I no longer let other people's opinion of me change my path :)

Also...I've begun to step down my insulin use.
My Endo advised me that if my BG is 5.5 or under before a meal, I'm not to take insulin. In 3 days, I've only had one shot. My numbers are so good that both my Endo and GP only need to see me twice a year and my Endo very sadly told me that if I continue like this, she won't need to see me at all.....I'll miss her :)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SPARKLISE 1/21/2013 9:27AM

It's hard for people with low self esteem to be happy for others. I'm glad you did not let it bother you. on the better health part! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANEMITCHELL12 1/18/2013 10:44AM

Wow, wow, wow. Forget the sis-in-law. Almost off insulin! Report Inappropriate Comment

Size 14!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

It's been 9 months since my diagnosis of diabetes and a lot of changes have taken place in my life. I am now a person who pretty consistantly eats correctly and who exercises. My body has gone from a size 22 to a size 14 but my mind hasn't quite made the leap.

Today, I was shopping at Jones New York, one of my favourite shops for splurging in. I was happily digging through the sales racks when the saleswoman came up to ask if I was searching for a gift for someone. I smiled and said I was looking for some cruise wear for myself and she shook her head and explained that I was in the wrong section. She very patiently showed me out of the "woman's" section. Jones does not have a generous fit but I found it very easy to fit into their size 16 fitted dress that will be perfect for dinner on the ship. My pant size is a 14 but I need a tiny bit more room up top because of my hernia.

In my mind, the 1x's looked to be more my size and when I looked at the 14 & 16's, they looked like they'd never fit but everything I tried fit perfectly. I'll probably start believing I'm a 14 when I'm a 10 lol

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUSTYNA7 12/26/2012 10:16AM

Nice early Christmas gift! I know. I was asked to try on a XL when they did not have any plus sizes at a recent "jockey" party. They fit large anyways but I was reluctant. They fit perfectly and the larger size just looked baggy. Does feel good! Especially when the scale is not seeing much decline. I know my clothes are looser. Have to buy new bras soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANEMITCHELL12 12/18/2012 4:14PM

this is so amazing!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ASTRA58 12/18/2012 9:49AM

Way to go! That is so awesome! Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLISE 12/18/2012 6:36AM

It does take a while for our brain to catch up! Report Inappropriate Comment

Diabetes - A life sentence!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Yesterday was my third Endo appointment and 4 1/2 months since my diagnosis of diabetes. Because my introduction to diabetes was such a dramatic one (70.7 mmol/l -1272.6 mg/dl) and according to the doctors during my five day hospital stay, a near-death one, I came home feeling very lucky and grateful to have survived what many do not. I was determined, for the first time in my life, to make diet and real exercise a priority.

Yesterday, I got to the office for my appointment and the doctor was delayed because she had a first time patient and she takes a lot of time with the newbies...she's a wonderful doctor. I didn't mind at all because there was an adorable one year old and his mom in the waiting room. We started talking because it turned out, we're both named Mary Ann so every time the nurse came out to call one of us for our heart monitor or BP test, we'd both jump up. When it was my turn to see the Endo (I was first), my Dr. excused herself because she had the wrong paperwork. She came back shaking her head... Turns out, she had NOT looked at the other Mary Ann's (slim young mom who'd had gestational diabetes) paperwork..it was mine and based on my A1c (I was so excited I forgot to ask the number...ack!), I present like someone who doesn't have diabetes!!

An hour a day of exercise and eating properly for 4 1/2 months has caused such a drastic change in my body (I've also lost 30 lbs) that my Endo who three months ago told me I'd NEVER be off insulin has now made me a step down plan that should see me leaving it behind before the end of the year.

I will always have diabetes and I truly believe that it's a life sentence in the sense that it has saved my life and put me on a path to lasting good health.

I'll be 53 in a few weeks and for the past 13 years, I've promised myself that I'm going to start getting fit and taking care of myself so I don't die as young as my wonderful parents did (both died in their early 60's).... This year, I won't have to make that promise because I'm actually doing it and really loving it.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MIMI2NASH 12/18/2012 2:16AM

I love your attitude of gratitude! Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTYNA7 11/17/2012 9:16AM

Best blog I have read in a while! My story is similar. Blood work has been coming back normal. I have a team mate who has just learned he is diabetic and he has been blogging what he learns each week. I amazed how much I have learned because of this disease. I read labels, I look for fiber first the protein. I exercise every day and still am searching for more information. It has sparked a desire in me to LIVE me life. So yup, happy about this life sentance! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANEMITCHELL12 9/2/2012 1:03PM

Way to go!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ELMAYNET 8/30/2012 12:58PM

I'm so proud of you. Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLLEE57 8/30/2012 12:42PM

Congradulations, I used to have diabetes as well. I'm down about 75lbs and just turned 55. The diabetes was a rude awakening Report Inappropriate Comment

JHUSTO01 8/30/2012 12:14PM

I am very happy for you! I've been a type 1 diabetic since I've been 6... it can make things difficult - especially dealing with nutrition and/or exercise adjustments. Good luck with getting off the insulin! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

Splurging bigtime and still meeting my goal

Sunday, August 26, 2012

I'm having an emotional day and really felt like a splurge but, as an insulin dependent diabetic, the splurge has to be within the parameters of my diet so I grabbed my iPad and went looking at the A & W page which is my favorite guilty pleasure other than chocolate. Turns out, a Whistle dog and a diet root beer float have 50 grams of carbs so once I've given my dog her large dollop of the ice cream, I'm right at 45 grams which is my normal lunchtime amount. It's 592 calories which is about 150 calories more than my normal lunch but the fish and salad I'm having for dinner are on the low end so it all evens out. Of course, the sodium is totally unacceptable but since it's such an infrequent detour from my new normal, I just enjoyed feeling like a kid again (A&W was my very first fast food and whistle dogs and root beer floats were my fave treats as a kid)

Before I decided to treat myself to good health, I would have only fed my emotions without regard to body and balance. Actually, before this journey, when I tried to lose weight, I kept myself to between 1000 & 1200 calories without understanding that less isn't better. Right now, Because of my exercise plan, my calorie goal is between 1400 & 1700 and I'm consistently losing a pound a week while feeling more than satisfied.

Mary Ann... Loving the journey!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WILDFLOWER521 8/26/2012 5:50PM

Sounds like you deserve a big WooHoo! Emotional days tend to blow me out of the water but it sounds like you've done a wonderful job on keeping a handle on them. Congrats with the consistent weight loss. Report Inappropriate Comment

Camera Shy

Thursday, August 16, 2012

I added nine photos to my Sparkpage today... Anyone who knows me, knows that is no small thing. I always have the camera to avoid being in a picture. I've been that way since I was a skinny little girl and it only got worse as I added pounds. Years and years of my life have gone by where I have no record of how I looked. I literally feel ill when I see a camera pointed in my direction and it's something that's been on my list for change.

I'm determined to start adding pictures to my life...pictures of me. I'm not waiting until I lose a few pounds or waiting for just the right picture... I'm posing!

Last night, I bought a bike. It's magnificent! It's a coaster bike which means it has one speed and you have to back peddle to brake and that's just my speed. This afternoon, I think I shocked the crap outta my hubby when I dragged him outside to snap my picture with my bike. He's so used to my ducking out of pictures or grabbing the camera.



There are so many aspects to changing your life. For me, some are easier than others ... Changing my diet...easy, starting to exercise for the first time in my life...easy, having my picture taken or (shudder) sharing my picture with ANYONE...so hard!


One of the pictures I added was especially hard. It's a picture of me at my very heaviest. I don't know what my numbers were because a scale was to be avoided but I do know that I was unhappy at that weight... movement was so hard and I frequently felt ill. If I were to guess, I'd say that I'm at least 50 lbs lighter than that now. I'm bubbling over with energy and today, I went for my first bike ride since I was a kid and I loved it! Tonight, I'll be going to aquafit an hour early so I can play in the water before our pretty intense 45 minutes of aquafit and tomorrow, I'll be walking at least a mile because I have a goal of walking five miles a week. The person in that picture got winded climbing one flight of stairs and couldn't walk and carry on a conversation because it was too hard to breathe.

My "before"

I'm so happy and feel so healthy right now at my during stage. I refuse to wait until I'm an "after" to start living....I only wish my "before" would have known what I know now :) moving is so much FUN!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RADFEN 8/19/2012 10:34AM

Yay for taking a picture! It is so important to enjoy where we are NOW. Report Inappropriate Comment

FLAMENM 8/16/2012 9:52PM

I avoid cameras, too. Here is a large round of applause for posting multiple pictures. Bike on!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANEMITCHELL12 8/16/2012 6:13PM

yes! yes! yes! Remember when I got you to take a picture of yourself by saying your family needed a picture for the top of your coffin! Thank God and I do mean Thank God, it didn't have to be used in April. I am thrilled with the pictures and the bike. And guess what, today I was thinking of you as we worked on the new cycling/walking master plan for the Region and the cities! And don't you think we were worse off fatwise and healthwise than we would admit when we started this journey. Next: We are going to ride the Ixpress BUS together. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARLIESE01 8/16/2012 6:00PM

I know exactly how you feel. I have been avoiding the camera since I was a chubby not so little girl. Weight has always been an issue and I make sure if I have to get in a group family photo I am hiding behind others or at the end so I can crop half of myself off! I still haven't been brave enough to add pictures to my page but you are making me think about it Report Inappropriate Comment

KNEWMETODAY 8/16/2012 5:45PM

Congratulations on your weight loss, and keep up the good work. I think you're not alone in avoiding the camera, but people have become so accustomed to me being the one taking pictures that I have very few of me through the years. I may go looking for a "before" pic eventually--not today though. I really want a picture of me with my granddaughter--I may have to go to a professional to get it though. Somehow aiming my phone at the two of us gives less than great results. Kathy Report Inappropriate Comment