Diabetes Dragons - Diabetes Signs Symptoms

There are no more New Year resolutions to deal - The ones I had is taken care-of (wink) or has been pushed down, somewhere.

It is June and we are in the middle of winter here in South Africa and cold weather is making us slow down. Thinking time! Now would be the perfect time to start slaying a couple of dragons.

My Blood sugar levels has been running at 7.5 mmo/l going up to 8.9 mmo/l, which is not high, maybe - slightly of Target (who am I kidding)

My first Dragon is my Blood Glucose levels

Since swimming the one 1 mile event in February, I just cannot get my Blood sugar to stay down. My strategy of keeping my Blood glucose higher than normal (for training purposes) has now turned around and is biting me in the backside.

The Second Dragon is Caffeine

I am totally addicted to my Java (between 5-10 cups of coffee/tea per day). While this is my favourite brew - it has me totally hook. I don't want to stop drinking it completely just get it down to maybe one or two cups a day

The Third Dragon is Salt

This will be a big one for me because I sprinkle extra salt on almost anything I eat. Just love the taste – makes me feel like I am swimming in the Ocean.

The Fourth Dragon is Fat

This is a tough one and I have been battling with this one for the last three years. I can say with confidences that I am one of the fittest “Fat-People” you will ever meet.

The Fifth Dragon is refined Carbs

Bread, Pasta and Rice are some of my favorite carbs. But these refined carbohydrates make your Blood Sugar shoot threw the Roof. Most dietitians will tell you that you cannot go with out carbs – which is true. Especially if you have a cardio condition unrefined carbs are important.

In my case and most experience Type 2 Diabetics will tell you that when you have a constant High – Cut all refined Carbohydrates and Fruit from your diet.

Yes you saw right “Fruit”! It is just impossible to determent before hand who much fructose one fruit contains and what is going to do to your Blood Sugar levels. But one thing is for sure, it will make your glucose levels shoot up.

I hope you know never to drink any fruit juices. One glass could contain the fructose’s of 4-5 fruits and your also are not getting the actual fiber from a real fruit.

The Strategy

The strategy I will be following is to change habits and I won’t be eliminate these dragons completely but rather just aim to make some adjustment the way I am using them at the moment. Although I want to protect my habits and “wants” (not needs) at all cost -I also do have sufficient common sense to work out that a constant High Blood Sugar level will lead to other complications.

A couple of years ago I started using this method of not giving something up which I enjoy but I would rather do whatever it takes to get under control - once the habit was broken I then would again resume the pleasure.

“Beer was Big” with me but I knew alcohol has all kinds negative effects like;-

• Messing with my Blood Sugar Levels
• Messing with my Metabolism rate
• The is whole list of stuff but read more at ALCOHOL and DRUGS REASON FOR FAT and Diabetes and Alcohol

Once I have re-interdicted alcohol back my life after a cool down period. I then would only drink three drinks at a session. Then I went on to having 1 (ONE) (Can you believe that) Draft Beer on Friday nights. When at a business meeting I would only have one whisky with ice – maximum 3 drinks!

The point I am trying to make is that it is all a case of mindset. You will not have unbearable craving for something because you know it will be back again - Just more controlled.

This method works!

When I stopped smoking (40 per day) - that was terrible. Now I feel so sorry for people who are still smoking because I know what they will be going threw if they ever wanted to quite and if they don’t quite - it is also terrible to see them die slowly from cancer. At least Diabetics can Smoke for Longer.

Getting back to changing a habit. Somebody said it takes about three weeks to change a habit – I say bull! - It takes much longer.

• You have to be on constant alert to not give in to any cravings
• Avoid circumstance that would spark cravings. Meeting a friend in a Coffee shop is dangerous.
• Adopt substitute habits. Drinking Rooibos tea (Red tea) will be better substitute for coffee (caffeine).
• Visualize desired results. See your blood sugar going down because you have done (physical activity) and skipped (unplanned foods) Visualize a lower reading
• Change Routines – Instead of having a coffee first thing I will have my spiritual rejuvenation and mediation first. Then go for a early morning walk or Gardening. Only when sitting down for breakfast will it be o.k to have some caffeine free coffee or tea.
• Be affirmative and just say “NO”

O. K. now I am all pump-up and ready to go, with the famous words of Dr Phil “Lets Do This” I will see you on the other side.

Regards

Pine Pienaar