Tips and tricks

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Tips and tricks
43
Tue, 04-15-2008 - 11:20am

Not so much on the eating and exercise and such side though...Here's the scoop:

I was dx'd a bit over a year ago and I'm still doing well. However, my SIL's MIL (got that one?lol) was just told that her blood sugar is high and she was handed a meter and they showed her how to use it. But that's ALL they told her! They also told her to go take a class at the local hospital which she's going to do. In the meantime, though, she's scared, confused, etc. not knowing what it all means or where to turn. I've given her a bunch of info and directed her to both the ADA and Joslin websites which has been helpful for her.

Now to the topic at hand: when I was diagnosed, I hit the web, the bookstores/library, *this board*, etc and got LOTS of information then set up a spreadsheet to track what I ate and how my blood sugar reacted and all. Lots and Lots of Data. Having that knowledge helped me feel more like I was in control of the situation rather than being a victim. I took as my "mantra" a quote from 1 Corinthians 10:23 "'Everything is permissible'—but not everything is beneficial." I can *choose* to eat a box of chocolates BUT it's is not a good choice and the short and long term repercussions of it are not what I choose. Having a sense of choice rather than deprivation is important for me (might not be as important for others).

So, what I'd like to know from y'all is what tips, tricks, mantras, etc have been helpful to you to get from the initial shock, denial, fear, anger to acceptance and moving forward managing the situation.

--Deb

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
In reply to: bugsmomct
Thu, 04-17-2008 - 7:41pm

just saw ad for the coke version in Self magazine.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2007
In reply to: bugsmomct
Thu, 04-17-2008 - 7:44pm
Haha--can you imagine a diabetic with "the munchies"? I think you'd wake up the next morning and just be like "oops".

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
In reply to: bugsmomct
Thu, 04-17-2008 - 7:51pm

That is one i do sometimes struggle with.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
In reply to: bugsmomct
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 12:35pm

LOL on that last bit

I was at the grocery store looking to buy some loaves of bread - first time in a long time but it was for DH's 40th birthday party (we were doing cold cuts, salads, etc and needed the breads for sandwiches). I grabbed some rolls, some marble rye, got myself some low carb tortillas for wraps and I was looking for a low carb sandwich type bread. There were a couple brands that said "Low carb" all over the package. And when I checked the info, sure enough, they were low carb BUT when I checked the *ingredients* every last blooming one had HFCS in there. Argh! I finally found a non-low carb bread that was whole grain (somewhere in the 4-6 grams of fiber per slice range, not bad) and had no HFCS. I had a low carb tortilla anyhow but a couple other folks at the party are watching their carbs (my dad is one of them - his A1C kept creeping up even though his fasting glucose numbers were good, so his doctor was monitoring things and my dad asked me for more info on what/how to eat and such - within 3 months of lower carb eating, weight management, and exercise, his last two A1C readings are back <6.0 and his fasting glucose and glucose monitor readings at home are almost always under 110 - his dr is very pleased and just wants him to keep doing whatever he's been doing and not worry about finger sticks for now - BTW dad is 77). I'm SOOO glad that we make our own for home use - I can count on my fingers the number of ingredients in there and I can pronounce every last one of them!

--Deb

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
In reply to: bugsmomct
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 12:38pm

Exercise is a known stress fighter and mood elevator. Tomatoes (fresh or juice, and pickles) oddly enough are really good at fighting sweet cravings. Tomato also packs vitamin C and such which are also stress fighters (B vitamins are particularly good when you're under stress)

--Deb

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
In reply to: bugsmomct
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 7:36pm

That might explain it!!!(the tomato juice working)


I have to admit I really do like tomatoes!!

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: bugsmomct
Tue, 04-22-2008 - 2:23am

Nancy,


I planted my tomatoes last week in two really big pots, partly because they are higher off the ground and partly because they take up so much space in my tiny garden. Yesterday I plant a chilli plant for hubby, a bell pepper plant, some herbs and two differnt kinds of squash. Last night a cold front arrived and it is supposed to be a little over freezing. Now I hope my new plants survive. I also planted seeds for two kinds of green beans and bush peas and a whole row of Swiss chard. I was afraid that I had missed pea season as they don't like it when it gets warm!! Hah! It's so cold they probably won't come up like they are supposed to! Now remember I live in sunny California!!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
In reply to: bugsmomct
Tue, 04-22-2008 - 7:40pm

Gosh, I miss fresh peas!!

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: bugsmomct
Tue, 04-22-2008 - 11:02pm

I am trying to grow a box of strawberries also. I love strawberries and there was a variety called Shasta which was wonderful but I can't find it now. Everywhere they have Sequoia but they aren't as nice. I tried last year searching on the internet to find them. I am not sure that the variety that the nursery recommended is going to be that satisfactory.


Something else that is fun to grow is potatoes. I grew them in a raised box. I need to get my raised bed re-made as it isn't high enough off the ground anymore. Maybe I will get to do this later this year when funds become available again.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2007
In reply to: bugsmomct
Tue, 04-29-2008 - 10:10am

Gardening is the way I unwind.