From FatCatAnna

Well, since starting Ginger Viera's 15 week weight loss challenge I've been having a few issues with trying to complete my 30 minute exercise every day due to low blood sugars in the morning.  I've managed to get in abit of exercise by parking the car further away from the store front (I've always done that - now I go ... further).  Last night I managed to get my hubby to go for almost an hours walk along the river, we haven't done that in years! Only thing I forgot to bring was my Dex4 since my blood sugar went down.

Also, I'm just trying to rethink how each little thing I do, can help burn off some of the foods I'm eating.  I'm using small hand weights every day (3 lbs) - nothing like Ginger does, but I'm pretty happy with the progress of building up muscles in my arms and upper back.  I need these muscles more then ever now for the bigger jib sheet I have to work with on our 30' sailboat  (I was cursing / grunting like a sailor on the w/e even with the 2 speed winches we have as we were tacking alot for practise).

Today, I decided to step on the old scale.  I've never been a big lover of doing this, as I often find my bubble gets burst.  I go more by how my clothing fits me, and how I feel.  I'm now at 150 lbs / 68 kg and I'm really amazed at this.  I've not weighted this low for a long time.  I've been fighting not to go over 160 since I'm not a tall girl (my endo said recently that I'm 5' 3 1/2" / 1.61 m - my GP said last year I'm 5' 4 1/2" / 1.64 - go figure that one out).  I know, it's only an inch / 2.54 cm - but it makes a big difference to me!

 
And since I won't have Internet useage on the weekend to write - as I'm heading off to the floating cottage - here's a little picture for all you Dad's out there - Happy Father's Day.  Don't do what the Fat Cat does below - and guzzle too much beer (it's got alot of carbs in it - belch).

From FatCatAnna

Recently I’ve been following Ginger Vieira on Twitter.  Originally it was due to the fact we live within a few hours of each other, and she’d commented about the upcoming Montreal Jazz Festival that I'd tweeted about.  From there, we connected, and I discovered that she’s not only a Type 1 diabetic like me, but also a power lifter and competed in a few national competitions over the years.  Imagine, dead lifting 315 lbs, squatted 265 lbs, and bench-pressing 187 lbs! Serious training and commitment needed for that!  Not only does she deal with diabetes, but also with Celiac disease , which means she has to eat a gluten-free diet.  Not easy in today’s world of over processed foods!

What is even better, is she is like myself, on MDI (multiple dosage injections) and managing very well with all the exercise she does (I feel lazy compared to what her daily work outs are).  She used to be on an insulin pump for 6 years, but after experiencing DKA (diabetic coma due to high blood sugars) – she decided to go back to daily injections – and so far – she has much better control.  Like she says, “

She started a mission a few weeks ago to lose 10 pounds by August 15th – you can find her blog here.  She put out a call to others to join her and a few of us have – among those are Sarah at Sarah Loses It, as well as Cherise aka Diabetic_Iz_Me who posts once in awhile here at Diabetes1.org and at Diabetes Daily.  We all have goals to lose weight and have better control of our diabetes.  Mine is to gain more muscle, which in the end will mean better insulin absorption and hopefully more level blood sugars (BG's).  Not sure if I can lose 10 lbs in such a short time, but I’ll be happy with whatever I can lose (remember muscle weighs more then fat).  It'll just be nice to do it with others that are trying to accomplish similar goals!

So far for myself – I started on Monday, June 7th – my initial weigh in is 152 lb / 69 kg and I’m trying to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.  I try to aim to exercise with BG’s in the 100-200 mg/dl or 5.5-11 mmol/l.  Lately I’ve been fighting with BG’s in the a.m. of under 100 mg/dl / 5.5 mmol/l – when I have time to exercise.  I’ve managed to tweak my p.m. dose of Levemir to where I’ve woken up to good BG’s – so able to get in some cycling.  My food intake hasn’t really changed from before.  I try to eat no more then 120 grams of carb a day.  Due to another gum surgery, and being “forced” onto antibiotics, my appetite isn’t the greatest.  Main thing, I’m trying! I’ll be try to report back on a weekly basis each Monday with updates on how I’m doing.

So, anyone else wanting to join us?  Come on Summer Days are coming!!!

From FatCatAnna

I’ve got last week’s Glee going through my mind with “Let’s Get Physical”.  The day I watched that my body was twitching away to the music/video on the couch in the basement entertainment room.  Yuppers, I was literally dancing my buttocks on my soft comfy couch. How utterly pathetic is that for exercise?

I am TERRIBLE at sticking to an exercise routine.  I have to be honest here with you.  I am always complaining about having to shed those extra pounds (in the old days – I called it baby fat).  I’m just a darn good procrastinator (I should have become a lawyer).  Now, a few years ago my husband bought this fancy free standing exercise bike, similar to one you’d find in a posh gym.  The day he came home with that, after our rowing machine  (inexpensive Sears catalogue one) bit the dust, I thought to myself … “I’m going to use this bike“.  In reality, it’s hardly been used by myself (I do dust it - using upper arm muscles - right?).  I hate biking, I hate being hunched over, sitting down on a hard seat (unlike my brother John who cycles every day to Washington, D.C. from McLean, VA on a graphite frame bike).  Alas, preference for exercise has always been using my 2 feet.  I love to walk.  I can walk for miles, and often have made my friends cry for me to stop, as they develop leg cramps and blisters on their feet.

Okay, that was about 20+ years ago – snap out of it Anna – but I still do prefer walking over any form of exercise (does parking my car as far away from the store front count?) – at my own pace of course and depending on when my hip doesn’t lock up.  My preference would have been an elliptical trainer, and if I’d known hubby dearest was going to slam dunk the big bucks on an exercise bike  (if only you’d been a fly on the wall - I wasn’t too pleased with the “no money back” deal he got) - maybe today I would be using that machine and in better shape then I should be for my 50^th year of being on this big blue marble.

Me thinkest I’ve really got to read some of the other PWD’s (130 of us) blogs today, and get motivated to “Get Physical” and join in with the other #sweatbetes (thanks Lizmari).

From FatCatAnna

Well, this past weekend was a blast from the past.  I haven't stayed up until the wee hours of the morning in a very long time.  I had jokingly said to my friends, after we met up in a bar to watch a band - "let's go and continue the party at your place until 3:00 a.m.".  They looked at me abit odd and went along with it. 

One of my friends, Richard and his finance Suzanne were visiting Montreal from Vancouver, B.C.  Richard just before going on holidays was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.  He had alot of questions for me - which I hopefully answered as best as I could.  The main thing I told him was, get his weight down, eat healthy, exercise, check his blood sugars daily and hopefully he'll avoid the type of diabetes I have - where he'll be hooked on insulin for the remainder of his life. 

So, of course, we got the munchies later. Out came the chips, etc.  and I started to show them the carb count on the package of the "healthy" corn chips full of "fibre".  A ploy I told them just to make you feel less guilty of what you are ramming into your bodies.   We then decided, all of us, to test our blood sugars.  Never in my life have I done this with a bunch of friends.  It was such a blast!  Of course, they were all in good ranges for non diabetics - phew.  I was actually getting low at the time - due to giving a wee bit too much insulin earlier (hate snacking - it throws me off).  So, they all panicked with getting cake out, and other foods for me.  Once again, teacher mode took over in me, despite my low blood sugar while I explained the difference between how certain foods entered your body to control your low blood sugar faster.  Of course, I had my Dex4's with me - and took a few of those to bring my BG's up.

All I can say is, luckily no one had sore fingers after that night/morning - as we tested quite a few times - the vampire Edward was out that night (yes - Twilight along with Blood Ties came into the conversation - vampires are the "in thing" at the moment). 

Anyway, the party continued onto the next day, and if I could only have video recorded my friend Sylvie with her impersonation of Edward (see prevous blog - you'll understand why I mentioned his name) - as he wonders how my blood sugars are doing - she just cracked me up!!!  It was a wonderful way to end a great weekend with friends that can laugh along with me and my life as a legal drug user! 

NB: We didn't get to noddy nod land until 4:00 a.m.  We were Born To Be Wild!!!!

From FatCatAnna

I just watched a news clip from ABC (believe it was perhaps Good Morning America) - that was discussing the benefits of walking to lose weight.  That not only does it help offset complications of the heart, but also diabetes, dementia/Alzheimer's.  Even better, you don't have to purchase any expensive equipment to do this or join a club and it's not hard on your joints like some exercises can be. 

I keep on thinking that maybe the reason why I am still in good health - with having had diabetes for so long - that perhaps it is my love of walking (aka Tip-Toe Through the Tulipcs).  I just love to walk!!  I have friends that tell me that my calf muscles were very athletic looking (more like hard as a rock but I'm not that athletic more like a couch potato most of the time).  I think that it is probably a combination of walking as well as long term diabetics having "firmer" flesh that have made me this way (many doctors over the years have commented on that when examining me).  I also have friends that I think I poop them out because of my joy of walking.  I don't walk fast - as far as I can tell - I just go along with the flow.

Now, I don't wear any fancy schmancy footwear.  I either wear my rugged Mephisito thong sandals in the summer time - or if I really have to - a pair of running shoes (I hate enclosed shoes).  No foot problems as of yet - touch wood.

According to the news clip I watched - 10,000 steps a day equals 5 miles.  Easier said then done you are saying to yourself?  Well, walking from your car that is parked further away from the mall entrance, walking up or down stairs (I always seem to forget something downstairs in my house).  It all adds up. 

If you are lucky enough to be able to walk outside everyday - and this is supposed to be done in 30 minutes - go for it.  Pick a nice route, perhaps that has some nice gardens along the way.  Whatever gets you motivated, such as a friend, a dog that needs a walk, or even a walking club (we have a few here in Montreal that I've heard of).  Come winter time, there is mall walking as well (just window shop DO NOT BUY ANYTHING ).

As well, check out this website I just found now - called 10,000 steps - The Walking Site it contains alot of valuable information to get you started!