Staying Motivated for the Long Haul

@rosemarya what a wonderful story. And what a great friend!

@rosemarya Thanks for sharing. If only everyone was like this. Too many people are so busy with their own pursuits that they have no time to lend a helping hand. I think you need to make time, particularly in a situation like this where the two have been friends for a while.
JK

Greetings. I am beginning a search for people I can discuss my current healthy lifestyle project with. This is my first attempt on-line so I expect a significant learning curve to be successful at this. I am type 2 diabetic, ( I have read that some would refer to me as a type 1.5 as I am on long and short acting insulin as well as meds.) 74 years old, obese and have been living a very sedentary life for years. I am currently working on changing to a more active life along with a healthy diet. My efforts are threefold - nutrition, physically active and mentally strong. The main tool I am using is following a daily routine which is showing signs of being beneficial. I also am logging daily activities including meals, steps, glucose readings, blood pressure and I have a doctor do lab tests every three months. I do a lot of on-line research and am hoping to learn from others experiences as I continue to improve my lifestyle

Greetings to you, too, bulgebattler. I feel inspiration as i read your 1st sentence! I can see that you are already applying many proactive habits with the goal of improving your lifestyle.
I have someone that I want you to meet. Her name is Carol, and you can read about her and say 'Hi' to her. She has some good ideas to share with you.
Turning on the Lights: Meet @retiredteacher
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed/turning-on-the-lights-meet-retiredteacher/
Here is the 12 week walking program that she participates in. I think they have just started a new cycle, but you can join anytime!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lighten-your-limbs-with-friends/

@rosemarya Thanks for sending @bulgebattler my way.
Hello and welcome @bulgebattler to my Diabetic 2 world. We have much in common. I also am 74 and have had to make a complete lifestyle change. I do not take meds as I have been able to keep my numbers in check. My endocrinologist calls me a controlled diabetic. I was never sickly and had no symptoms of diabetes when I was diagnosed. However, since I live in the D2 world, I accept my plight and am aware of all aspects of staying healthy. Sometimes, things happen that upset the apple cart, but when that happens, I start right back in my routine. I knew I was not exercising enough, and I do not like to exercise, but that helps the blood numbers, so I started Lighten You Limbs with Friends posting for those who were not die-hard gym rats. This is Mayo's 12 week walking program. Several members and mentors walked along, and I reported my progress every week. Some walked outside; some in the gym; and some on a treadmill. I walk on my treadmill at home because I do not live close to a gym. We completed the 12 weeks, and I started a new cycle 2/25/2019. Tomorrow will complete the first two weeks of the second three months. My goal is to walk all of 2019. Though I have been a D2 not quite three years, I am still learning what works and what doesn't. Food has been the hardest part for me. What some people eat; others cannot. So my meals are limited and repetitive. I am glad to meet you. I hope we can exchange information and ideas. That's one thing about Mayo Connect. It is a place where numerous people have lots of knowledge about many different topics. I found Connect as I was researching, and the people who responded to me saved me. I hope you will post and be a regular part of D2. You certainly have the right attitude and information too. Is there anything specific you need to know? I'd like to hear from you.
Carol

I will give the 12 week walking program some thought but I am currently experiencing sciatic pain so will have to try to see if I can work through that. I was doing marching before this so want to get back to something like that. I also want to add daily stretches to my routine but I want to consult with medical people first people first to be safe. This may be stemming from herniated discs in my spine so don't want to do more damage. Walking shouldn't be a problem except for the pain. I have work to do and people to see

Thank you for the welcome and I intend to keep following. As I mentioned in my first blog I need contact with people who are dealing with similar things to me. By the way I follow myfitnesspal, SparkPeople and diaTribe as well. I have found the latter very informative about living with diabetes. Especially Adam Brown who is diabetic and studies that part of his life very much.

@bulgebattler One thing about the 12 week program is that Mayo says to do what is comfortable. It gives people who are just starting to exercise the opportunity to go at their own pace. I was so anti-exercise when I started, but the first day, was 5 minutes of warm up (slow walking), then 5 minutes of a little faster walking, and finished with five minutes of slow cool down walking. Each week the time increased. But, if I felt I could only do 15 minutes, that got me moving at least. I don't know about your sciatic pain. Could it possibly help to move more? Can you check so that you will know. Sometimes Physical Therapy wants people to move when there is a situation that would benefit from it. Walking is the most gentle way to get exercise---less pressure and strain on the joints. If you want a higher lift and could march, that sounds more painful than walking. I am not an exercise guru, so I just have to try what I can. I added going up and down stairs to my routine since I live in a two story house. My next addition will be Power Walking with Leslie Sansone tapes. She has a walking program that includes arm strengthening and different moves from treadmill walking. I think Mayo wanted to make the point to diabetics that exercising is beneficial to blood numbers. I know for D2 people doctors say diet and exercise and meds if you have to take them. Don't hurt yourself. Check with your doctor and see if a walking program would be beneficial.
I hope it will be.
Carol

@bulgebattler Welcome to Connect. Many of us are battling the same or similar battles.
I too was significantly overweight when I was diagnosed with diabetes about 10 or 12 years ago. Initially I was on metformin but I no longer need it.

I try to follow the carbohydrate limitations, and I exercise about six days a week. Initially I started with water aerobics and using a recumbent bike. Both of those are highly recommended due to low impact. I have progressed to using the gym in my health club with about six or seven different pieces of equipment plus the elliptical. I was using the treadmill but it started bothering my shins.

I also used/use MyFitnessPal. It really helped me, along a fitness tracker to keep me motivated. Right now I have gained a few pounds back so I need to get back to using MyFitnessPal daily. I love that it tracks the nutrients like carbs and sodium.

It sounds as if you are very motivated and on track. Motivation is the biggest key to staying consistent I think. I hope that sciatica does not keep you from being able to exercise. Perhaps a physical therapist could help you work out a program of exercises that would not make that worse.
JK

Plantar Fasciitis has tried to get me down. I have been enduring the increasing pain and trying the home remedies. Today I had an appointment, and that confirmed what I had self diagnosed already.
Tomorrow, with the addition of foot stretches and shoe support, I will be back at the gym that I have been avoiding. Tonight I will try to sleep with a foot brace to facilitate a passive tendon stretch while I sleep. No anti inflamitiries, though because I'm a transplant recipient.

Has anybody had plantar fasciitis? How did it affect your long term fitness goals? I welcome any helpful hints.