1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

The Frightening Part of the Year

Posted by Retired Teacher @retiredteacher, Oct 18, 2018

The fall season through Happy New Year is the hardest time of the year for me. Everywhere I look I see tempting foods of all types that people enjoy only once a year. I used to love all the fabulous desserts and the candies, fudge, cakes, pies and rich treats associated with every step from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Years. That's a quadruple whammy of temptation. I think I'm not the only one who has this temptation to face.
The way I deal with it is not to buy any of the sweets and I do not cook them. I do allow myself one small treat at each special meal, except Halloween. I make the desserts myself so I can control the ingredients. They aren't gourmet and most people would probably not want them, but to me they are delicious, and I enjoy them with a cup of decaf coffee, and there's nothing better.
I always stop and ask myself if eating the high carb, high calorie butter and sugar laden dessert is worth what it will do to my blood reading. The answer is that for me it is not worth it. I am on no medication so I have to be especially careful to control my food because I want to stay med-free. I can do that and I will. I hope we all just enjoy the season and the fun of the holidays and we don't get depressed because we can't have all the goodies. I say I have control and have it figured out so eating what I call illegal foods is not on my menu plans. Let's say Happy Halloween! Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! and Happy New Year! Let's enjoy the activity and music and whatever we love about this time of year. These holidays are so much bigger than the food.
We have to be as healthy as possible and enjoy the holidays. I hope everyone will feel good and concentrate on the positives.
Happy everything!
@retiredteacher

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Nov 20, 2018
In reply to @ginaquilts "After fighting the battle of the bulge all my life and after my doctor telling me..." + (show)
@ginaquilts

After fighting the battle of the bulge all my life and after my doctor telling me I should fill half my plate with veggies (which I never eat) and the rest with stuff I wouldn't eat if I were starving, I decided to look back on when in my life I was at the weight I wanted. In high school, I was 110 pounds at most. I was on the swim team and could eat whatever I wanted, but we had two-a-day workouts (about 3-1/2 hours) every day except Sundays. In college, same thing except it was dance for 2 to 3 hours a day. I still ate anything I wanted and never gained an ounce. Same thing when my son was a toddler - always on the run after that busy little boy.

So I decided to get back to doing and eating what I wanted to eat. Instead of the no-fat, no-fun food the experts told me I SHOULD be eating, I eat mostly complex carbs and a little dairy. Yes, I am the last person on earth who loves Grape Nuts and All Bran. I work full-time, walk for a reason (to get to meetings or events - not just for the sake of walking because I find that boring), and take a couple of dance classes every day (because that's my exercise of choice). Following the doctor and dietician's instructions and with meds, I never got below 7.0 and I was 50 pounds heavier. I am back to my high school weight, I take no medication, and my last A1C was 5.6. If I indulge, which I often do, I just work it off - no restrictions at all, nothing is off limits. I know I am lucky to have found what works for me, but I think with trial and error everybody can find that sweet spot. It gives me the confidence I need to stand up to my doctor at my very veggie-focused HMO. The only negative is that my annual doctor's visit is always an argument about my diet, but they can't argue with the numbers. For me, it's no longer a horrible or frightening part of the year. I am in charge of me. If I want to make my Aunt Carol happy, I'll eat a bite or two of her horrid casserole or or a big slice of her awesome pumpkin pie, then I'll stay for a second aerobics class the next day. No regrets, no guilt, and good numbers.

Jump to this post

ginaquilts, Congratulations on your success in achieving your goal! Your determination is admirable.
I like what you shared about Aunt Carol because we all have an Aunt or relative like that! It is all about learning how to make good choices / and knowing how to live with them.
Enjoy the continuing good numbers:-) I hope you can eventually put a smile on your doctor's face with your good numbers!

REPLY
1 reply
ginaquilts | @ginaquilts | Nov 20, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "ginaquilts, Congratulations on your success in achieving your goal! Your determination is admirable. I like what..." + (show)
@rosemarya

ginaquilts, Congratulations on your success in achieving your goal! Your determination is admirable.
I like what you shared about Aunt Carol because we all have an Aunt or relative like that! It is all about learning how to make good choices / and knowing how to live with them.
Enjoy the continuing good numbers:-) I hope you can eventually put a smile on your doctor's face with your good numbers!

Jump to this post

Thank you, Rosemary. I think the docs at my HMO are under strict orders to give their prescribed diet advice - half the plate veggies, etc. The first doctor I saw there ignored my high temp, super-low BP, loss of appetite especially re protein, inability to get warm, etc. -- all classic signs of a kidney problem. She gave the company line about diet and mammograms, and said we didn't have time for anything else. Next visit, I saw another doctor and it was the same thing. Same with the third. The docs at the HMO my employer provides are only concerned about what they consider their target issues. High BP - they are all over you. High A1C - they relentlessly pursue you. They hand out statins like candy, without even testing to see if your cholesterol is high. I go for my annual 10-minute visit just to avoid the constant emails, texts, and phone calls until I do, and I just ignore 99.9% of their "advice."

REPLY
1 reply
Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Nov 20, 2018

@ginaquilts You are a good example of most of us being different in the way we deal with Diabetes. What works for you, may not work for anyone else, and as you say we all have to find our own sweet spot. I do not take meds either. I am retired and do a walking exercise program, but I enjoy walking, so that's my choice. Do you go to an endocrinologist to get your A1C and have your blood profiles run? By the way, the reason I used the word "frightening" was for Halloween. Good luck with keeping your numbers in check; that's important for diabetics.
Happy Thanksgiving.
@retiredteacher, Carol
Volunteer Mentor

REPLY
ginaquilts | @ginaquilts | Nov 20, 2018

Hi Carol! No, I don't go to an endo for blood tests, etc. My HMO requires your primary care doc to make a referral, and you have to be seriously ill before they will do that. If my A1C was high for a prolonged period of time, they would have me "work with" a diabetes care specialist, usually a pharmacist who will prescribe the very cheapest drugs possible. For a short period, I was allowed to work with an RN, who was wonderful and responsive, but when I got my weight and AIC in normal range without meds, they took her away from me.

I'm glad you have found a path that works for you. It's wonderful that you like to walk - usually convenient and so inexpensive. My point was that each of us is in control. Once we figure out what works for us, we have the choice as to how you want to do it. My choice is to live for what I have now. If those choices shorten my life, at least I am happy while living it and not suffering with a diet or exercise I deplore and feeling like I'd rather be dead.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Nov 20, 2018
In reply to @ginaquilts "Thank you, Rosemary. I think the docs at my HMO are under strict orders to give..." + (show)
@ginaquilts

Thank you, Rosemary. I think the docs at my HMO are under strict orders to give their prescribed diet advice - half the plate veggies, etc. The first doctor I saw there ignored my high temp, super-low BP, loss of appetite especially re protein, inability to get warm, etc. -- all classic signs of a kidney problem. She gave the company line about diet and mammograms, and said we didn't have time for anything else. Next visit, I saw another doctor and it was the same thing. Same with the third. The docs at the HMO my employer provides are only concerned about what they consider their target issues. High BP - they are all over you. High A1C - they relentlessly pursue you. They hand out statins like candy, without even testing to see if your cholesterol is high. I go for my annual 10-minute visit just to avoid the constant emails, texts, and phone calls until I do, and I just ignore 99.9% of their "advice."

Jump to this post

@ginaquilts I know, I tend to be a bit of skeptic at times, but I think with all of the doctors now employed either by hospitals or by HMOs they are less involved with their patients, and do go by the "company" line. If I could find a well-rated PCP around here who was taking new patients I would in a heartbeat. The only one I know of is concierge doctor and he is no longer taking new patients.
It's not that my doctor isn't fairly good, but there is a difference I think when it's their own practice vs working for the hospital.
I too don't follow the prescribed diet strictly but I do exercise a lot and my numbers are good. I really never gave it much thought before being on Connect but that's probably why my numbers are good.
JK

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