Sunday, June 22, 2008

I'm Back…

I do apologize for not keeping the blog updated. I appreciate those of you who, ever optimistic, keep checking back.

While I won't go into any details here because it's not an appropriate place for it, I will say that the last nine months have been exciting because of the changes in my body and health and also difficult because of the problems it caused in my relationship. I have never experienced a break up like this and I had no idea how much it could hurt emotionally and physically. Amazingly, through all of this I've managed to continue to eat healthy, workout 4-5 days a week, try to deal with the situation with as much integrity as I can, and run my business.

I'm Eating Really Well These Days…
Since my last post at the beginning of the month, I've had a chance to eat some of the organic pork and grassfed beef I purchased at the end of May. It's surprised me to discover that I've eaten more of the pork than the beef and I'm now thinking I'll add a half-hog order to my beef order this fall. Regardless of the health benefits I'm getting from eating organic meat, it just tastes better. You can't even imagine how much better unless you try it for yourself.

The farmer's market in my neighborhood started up for the season a couple of weeks ago so I've been able to add pasture-fed chicken eggs directly from the farmer to my diet along with fresh, organic greens, asparagus, etc. The growing season here has been a little strange this year so there's not a lot of variety in the produce yet. I've only been to the grocery store twice since the beginning of June—and I don't miss it.

And Going to the Gym…
On the work out front, I have been working on getting my squats lower. Kristn has let me get away with not getting my butt all the way down where it's supposed to be for a long time, and she challenged me to reduce the weight I was squatting and work instead on flexibility and form. This was a hard one for me because I really like throwing the big numbers on the board where we keep all our stats. But after a few weeks of working on this on my own on our off-training days, with just the 45-lb. barbell, I am seeing the results. I'm getting down further and squatting more weight than I was before. I feel like I have more power to push the weight up when I get a little lower, too. I'm deadlifting more weight, as well. And I'm noticing a difference in the musculature of my upper legs.

And Getting My Bloodwork Done.
Tomorrow I get to have my next Ha1c. It's been 12 weeks since I pulled a 5.6% and since then I've reduced the amount of metformin I take by 75%. My fasting blood sugars are consistently around 80 or so in the morning. It will be interesting to see the results. I'm also getting my vitamin levels tested to make sure I'm getting enough vitamin D3 to offset the lack of sun here in gloomy, gray Seattle.

So that's it for now. I'll be back in a couple of days to share my lab results.

Note: Just a reminder to readers that this blog is about a very specific (and small) part of my life, i.e., learning to beat/live with diabetes, in the hope that it might inspire or help other people.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

My daughter is a RD and got me into the habit of W A L K I N G to the grocery store when i needed something. Since this is uphill and it is like 4 million degrees where i live, and using a backpack is worse on the way home with all the crap in it, i find my needs are surprisingly few now. I bought a share in produce and eggs (like you did your beef) at a local farm, and it's been great. I'm glad you posted about the beef and pork. I was on the fence about that large of a purchase but you tipped me over the edge. ieeeeeee. thanks!

Marianne said...

Sounds like you're 'hanging tough' though and good for you. I have found the fresh 'good' beef does taste better, although I don't eat much of it, mostly it's for Bobby... and it's definitely something I'll try and continue to do as I love not having to buy it from the store!
I'm thinking your lab results are going to be very pleasant for you!

Denise in Kent, WA said...

I haven't tried the organic pork yet, but you are right about the grass fed beef; it's wonderful! I placed my order with Thundering Hooves right around the same time you did, and was pleasantly surprised to see them referenced here.

As one of the commenters from your last post said, people may be surprised at how much you spend for food -- but isn't it worth it? Anyway, good luck on your journey! Kudos to you for your progress so far.

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to more reviews on your meat purchases. I think I see a chest freezer in my future.
Can't wait to find out how your test results turn out. I'm so impressed by your success so far.

Anonymous said...

I really need to look into getting a quarter or a side of beef.

Good for you for keeping focused on your health through all this. It's so important.

I've recently restarted Bikram yoga at my physical therapist's recommendation. It's been JUST what the doctor ordered, but I am astounded at how different my body looks in the mirror since getting back into the weight work. New muscles everywhere! It's also QUITE A BIT less flexible. The things that used to be easy for me are very hard and I look different doing them. So much so that the yoga instructor said, "Did you have an injury while you were away?" (she was specifically referring to my knees being tight) Just goes to show how important it is to do it all -- the complementary forms of exercise are so important!

snappydawg said...

Denise: I totally agree that the added expense is worth the quality. It's hard to eat out anymore because what I eat at home tastes so much better.

Norma: Out in Vermont it seems like you'd have a lot of options for buying bulk grassfed beef. Isn't that where cows from? ;-)

PBPrince said...

I've been reading "New Rules for Lifting" and wondered if you are following any of their diet advice.

snappydawg said...

PB: For the most part I'm just using the workout portion of the book. I eat a low-carb diet to control diabetes and most of the meal planning is not low-carb. I've looked at it, though, and it didn't look too bad. Keep in mind that it's designed to fuel the workouts. It's not designed for weight loss or blood sugar control. I think the author even says something about that somewhere in the nutritional chapters.

Kristen said...

Yay for good eggs and greens! You've got my little competitive edge up. My last A1C was 6.1. Now I've got to see if I can catch up with you. ;)