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	<title>Blogging Diabetes &#187; Health &amp; Exercise</title>
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	<description>A Blog About Real Living with Diabetes</description>
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		<title>It&#8217;s Never Easy</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/07/its-never-easy/</link>
		<comments>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/07/its-never-easy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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As a diabetic, it’s critical that I take care of my body and be as healthy as possible.&#160; The odds are stacked against me so any little opportunity to eat right, exercise or pay special attention to my body could help me over the long run.
On the Facebook fan page, I have been talking about [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p>As a diabetic, it’s critical that I take care of my body and be as healthy as possible.&#160; The odds are stacked against me so any little opportunity to eat right, exercise or pay special attention to my body could help me over the long run.</p>
<p>On the Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bloggingdiabetes" target="_blank">fan page</a>, I have been talking about the <a href="http://www.24hourfitness.com/training/bodybugg/" target="_blank">BodyBugg</a> that I picked up at the beginning of July.&#160; The BodyBugg is a calorie management system that combines a monitor (arm band) and online program that helps you to manage calories intake and calories burned.&#160; It’s truly amazing how accurate it is and I highly recommend it.&#160; It’s not cheap, but if used diligently, can help you lose weight or change your body composition.</p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bodybugg.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="bodybugg" border="0" alt="bodybugg" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bodybugg_thumb.jpg" width="300" height="278" /></a>&#160;</p>
<p>As I track my calories, carbs, protein, etc., I have found how extremely difficult it is to estimate the nutrition contents in a salad.&#160; I have been eating salads more often and combine, chicken, lettuce (all different kinds and definitely not iceberg), peppers, carrots, light dressing, cranberries, walnuts, etc. into my salads.&#160; Combining all of these things makes for a difficult time in estimating carbs for my bolus and nutrition contents for the BodyBugg. </p>
<p><a title="my salad with honey mustard dressing by aloalo*, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloalosabine/2929745205/"><img alt="my salad with honey mustard dressing" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2929745205_b15e22b295.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
<p>For something important to one’s diet, it is so frustrating how difficult it can be to manage for diabetes and calories.&#160; I have recently picked up a kitchen scale to help weight my food contents, which helps a bit.&#160; You try to go healthy with a salad and end up with a high or low blood sugar… sigh.&#160; It’s so much easier to crack open a box of frozen shit that has the obnoxious nutritional [lack of] facts listed on the side or back.&#160; </p>
<p>If you want to be utterly shocked, track your sodium intake for a few days.&#160; Just about everything that comes in a box is loaded with salt. </p>
<p>/rant</p>
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		<title>The Key To Lowering Your Blood Sugar</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/02/the-key-to-lowering-your-blood-sugar/</link>
		<comments>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/02/the-key-to-lowering-your-blood-sugar/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:15:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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This will be the last post in the mini series I have created going back to the beginning of this year.&#160; If you want to catch up on those posts before continuing with this one, they can be found by clicking on the following:

You Must Finish Strong 
I Need to Win at Diabetes 
Clean Diabetic [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p>This will be the last post in the mini series I have created going back to the beginning of this year.&#160; If you want to catch up on those posts before continuing with this one, they can be found by clicking on the following:</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/you-must-finish-strong/" target="_blank">You Must Finish Strong</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/i-need-to-win-at-diabetes/" target="_blank">I Need to Win at Diabetes</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/clean-diabetic-diet-and-exercise/" target="_blank">Clean Diabetic Diet and Exercise</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/02/my-2010-challenge/" target="_blank">My 2010 Challenge</a> </li>
</ol>
<p>Let me reiterate that I’m not a doctor and I don’t have any scientific data that explains what I am about to say.&#160; I have neither collected data nor can guarantee these results.&#160; As always, consult your physician before changing anything in your diet.&#160; </p>
<p>Back in September when I fell off of my diet wagon and began eating and drinking soda like it was going out of style, my blood sugars were high.&#160; In the morning I had a very difficult time keeping my sugar below 200 between breakfast and lunch.&#160; At bed time, my sugars were always pretty high probably from an oversized dinner.&#160; During this period from September through the end of December, I was drinking one thing constantly; <strong>Diet Mountain Dew</strong>. </p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/DietMtDew.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Diet Mt Dew" border="0" alt="Diet Mt Dew" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/DietMtDew_thumb.jpg" width="329" height="248" /></a> </p>
<p>[<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/anfsummerboy82/2442030058/" target="_blank">source</a>] </p>
<p>I would have a sugar free Monster or Rockstar drink in the morning and then drink Diet Mountain Dew all day long until dinner when I would stop for the evening.&#160; By days end, I would probably come close to 2 liters per day.&#160; It is very hard to tell, but I noticed that when I stopped drinking so much caffeine my sugars seemed to level out.&#160; Granted, I also changed my diet shortly after, but the caffeine had multiple negative effects on the body.</p>
<ol>
<li>By drinking so much soda, I was drinking nearly zero water each day&#160; </li>
<li>All of the caffeine was keeping me going during the day, but seriously crashing at night </li>
</ol>
<p> <span id="more-434"></span>
<p>When I was diagnosed I had a very easy time transitioning to diet soda because that’s really what I drank anyways.&#160; I have heard from many diabetics and I think the general consensus is that you would have to pry the diet soda out of my cold, dead hands for me to give it up.&#160; Up until now, I would have agreed.&#160; </p>
<p>I am going to say it right here and quite frankly;<strong> I think diet soda (not caffeine free) is one of the most detrimental things that a diabetic can consume outside of doing pure sugar shots.</strong>&#160; I’m talking about the typical day to day things someone would eat or drink.&#160; Sure there are other things that are hazardous, but you know what I’m talking about.&#160; Also, I’m not talking about one diet soda here and there; I am talking about someone like me that obviously had a problem.&#160; I will be the first to admit it.&#160; I was addicted to Diet Mountain Dew.</p>
<p>One of the reasons I think drinking diet soda all day long, maybe at work, is such a problem is what happens afterwards.&#160; When you need the energy to do something beneficial for yourself like exercise or spend time with the family, you have no energy.&#160; The crash from no caffeine was so bad, that most nights I wanted to crawl into bed at 7:30 when we started to put our girls down for the evening.&#160; Now with much more energy I might even sneak in a 45 minute workout at 11:00 at night.</p>
<p>I still haven’t completely given up caffeine. In the morning I am still drinking a Monster energy drink, but it’s all about baby steps, right?&#160; The difference is that I am drinking at least a gallon of plain water each day after my morning jolt.&#160; I feel energized and have a lot more motivation to workout at night instead of A) snacking and watching TV or B) going to bed from just being tired.</p>
<p>If you want to feel better, have more motivation and help your body stay clean, give up the soda for a glass or two of water.&#160; It’s better for your kidneys, your skin and will help you out in the long term.&#160; I’m not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. </p>
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		<title>My 2010 Challenge</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/02/my-2010-challenge/</link>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:45:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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The last few posts discussed the fact that I have gotten back on the “saddle” in terms of my diet and exercise similar to last August when I was doing great.&#160; Over the Holiday’s I was pretty down for letting myself go again.&#160; Not only had I put back on the weight I lost from [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p>The last few <a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/clean-diabetic-diet-and-exercise/" target="_blank">posts</a> discussed the fact that I have gotten back on the “saddle” in terms of my diet and exercise similar to last August when I was doing great.&#160; Over the Holiday’s I was pretty down for letting myself go again.&#160; Not only had I put back on the weight I lost from the summer, but I was out of control with my A1c and daily blood sugars.&#160; I knew it was time to get things turned around and this time for good.</p>
<p>I laid on the guilt to some of my close friends about how I was past my 10 year anniversary of being diagnosed and needed something to get my butt in gear.&#160; That’s when we came up with the challenge.&#160; For the period January 2nd through the end of February we are all trying to lose pounds and body fat both weighted equally. At the end of this period there will be some prize for the winner, which doesn’t even really matter to me.&#160; I know this was the right time to make a change for the long term and this was a good way to motivate me and get a group of friends together for a common goal.&#160; Nobody is going to lose.&#160; Just like “The Biggest Loser” no one really loses.&#160; If you can make a sustainable change to be healthy, that’s a huge win. </p>
</p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Catwindow.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Cat window" border="0" alt="Cat window" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Catwindow_thumb.jpg" width="354" height="205" /></a>&#160; </p>
<p>[<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66164549@N00/2487291985/" target="_blank">source</a>]</p>
<p>Sometimes you need to look deep within yourself and ask the question, “Am I really giving it 100%?”&#160; I wasn’t and not so deep down, I knew it.&#160; I was too complacent and just tested, corrected, bolused, tested, corrected, bolused, and so on.&#160; You could easily say I was just going through the motions.&#160; Not anymore.&#160; I owe it to too many people to take better care of myself.&#160; I’m not saying that I’m perfect now or even can have a perfect A1c.&#160; All I am saying is that I knew I could do better and now I finally am.&#160; </p>
<p>My results so far are pretty good for only a month.&#160; I am down about 10 pounds and my daily blood sugar numbers are ten times better than before.&#160; Now it is a rare occurrence to be over 225.&#160; At the end of February I will have my body fat retested and get everyone else’s results.&#160; Wish me luck.</p>
<p><strong>The next post will be on the single most important thing to change to better manage diabetes.</strong></p>
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		<title>Clean Diabetic Diet and Exercise</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/clean-diabetic-diet-and-exercise/</link>
		<comments>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/clean-diabetic-diet-and-exercise/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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The last 2 posts (&#8230;finish strong &#38; …win at diabetes) have led up to this one where I am going to discuss my recent diet and exercise.
Diet
I first mentioned that I started the Fat Flush diet back in August of last year.&#160; I think it’s a great plan, but with not without some flaws.&#160; It [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p>The last 2 posts (&#8230;<a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/you-must-finish-strong/" target="_blank">finish strong</a> &amp; …<a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/i-need-to-win-at-diabetes/" target="_blank">win at diabetes</a>) have led up to this one where I am going to discuss my recent diet and exercise.</p>
<p><strong>Diet</strong></p>
<p>I first mentioned that I started the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071383832?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=decissuppoana-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creativeASIN=0071383832" target="_blank">Fat Flush</a> diet back in <a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-the-diet-part-3-of-series/" target="_blank">August</a> of last year.&#160; I think it’s a great plan, but with not without some flaws.&#160; It was never designed for a diabetic and is mostly geared towards women.&#160; I can tell because it talks about being able to reduce and target cellulite on every other page.&#160; However, I definitely think there are some great tips and information that can help a diabetic. So, I have created my own modified version of the Fat Flush diet that helps me control my blood sugar and weight at the same time.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: What works for me may not work for you.&#160; Always consult your doctor before making changes or starting a new exercise routine.</p>
<p>Here is a sample of my daily diet:</p>
<p>Breakfast around 7:00 AM – I will have either a Fiber One bar or Smoothie Shake with a scoop of protein. I usually put some type of fruit in the shake, like a banana or strawberries.</p>
<p>AM Snack – I will have almonds, a Larabar, piece of fruit or nothing if I get busy and miss it.</p>
<p>Lunch – Almost always this is 3 eggs (1 whole egg and 2 egg whites) with a whole grain english muffin or toast.&#160; I can eat eggs any time of the day.</p>
<p>PM Snack &#8211; I will have either almonds, a Larabar or piece of fruit</p>
<p>Dinner – This is the key meal in my opinion.&#160; You should go fairly low on simple carbs.&#160; I almost always have a salad with some type of protein like, tuna or chicken.&#160; I put some cut up peppers, carrots, snow peas and a tiny bit of bacon bits and shredded cheese (2% – low fat) topped with a low fat dressing. Virtually no simple carbs.</p>
<p>Workout/Cardio after my girls go down for the night, which I typically start around 9:00-9:30. </p>
<p>Before Bed &#8211; Finally, for my post workout drink (not the kind you’re thinking of) I will have a 12oz glass of a mixture of cranberry juice (concentrate), water, ground flax seed and some protein.&#160; For more about the cran-water/flax drink, check out the Fat Flush book or send me an email.</p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/flatstomachmotherson.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="flat-stomach-motherson" border="0" alt="flat-stomach-motherson" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/flatstomachmotherson_thumb.jpg" width="354" height="237" /></a> </p>
<p>[<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/126872410/" target="_blank">source</a>]</p>
<p><strong>Exercise</strong></p>
<p>My exercise is nothing all that special.&#160; I usually do one body part using my Bow flex and/or dumbbell set with an 8lb medicine ball or maybe just some core exercises like <a href="http://exercise.about.com/od/abs/ss/abexercises_10.htm" target="_blank">planks</a>, which are much harder than they look.</p>
<p>After doing maybe 30 minutes of exercises I will jump on our treadmill or elliptical and do about 30 minutes (5 warm up and 5 cool down).</p>
<p>Nothing too fancy here, but it works.&#160; I went from probably 3,000 calories a day to between 1,200 – 1,500 and after a few days/week it’s just like normal.&#160; Sometimes I am starving, but I will snack on something with low carbs and fiber.&#160; Best of all is what you will quickly see in your insulin intake and blood sugars.&#160; Since I don’t eat 3 servings of rice or potatoes, chips, or sugar loaded foods, I am never getting above 250 anymore (like, at all).</p>
<p>Since starting this diet on 1/2/2010 (25 days) I have lost almost 10 pounds and my blood sugars are better than ever.&#160; I can’t wait to go to the Endo now.&#160; I’m actually looking forward to it.&#160; If I can do it with a 9 month old, 4 yr old, full-time job, 2 blogs and little downtime, so can you.&#160; You really owe it to yourself and shouldn’t have a reason not to.&#160; My health and diet is now a priority and will not revert back after seeing these results.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the messages and support – I appreciate you visiting. </p>
<p><strong>Next up is the single biggest thing you can do to help manage your diabetes or diet and you’re not going to like what it is, trust me.</strong></p>
<p>.....................................................................
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		<title>I Need to Win at Diabetes</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/i-need-to-win-at-diabetes/</link>
		<comments>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2010/01/i-need-to-win-at-diabetes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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All of my results came back very good except for the big one.&#160; My A1c was higher than usual and probably one of my worst in a long time. It’s a little ironic that my result rhymes with hate.&#160;&#160; 
I have always been slightly happy that my blood sugar control isn’t in the poor range.&#160; [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p>All of my results came back very good except for the big one.&#160; My A1c was higher than usual and probably one of my worst in a long time. It’s a little ironic that my result rhymes with hate.&#160;&#160; </p>
<p>I have always been slightly happy that my blood sugar control isn’t in the poor range.&#160; That’s how I sell it to everyone.&#160; I have *good* control.&#160; Someone will say, “Tony how’s your diabetes been”? To which I will respond, “Oh it’s good”. Since being diagnosed, I have only been in the excellent control range for a very brief stint a few years ago.&#160; If you knew me, you would know that I’ve never been happy with good.&#160; I don’t <strong>do</strong> good.&#160; I was brought up and pride myself for the fact that I don’t settle for average or good.&#160; For some reason I have failed at attaining and maintaining excellent control.. </p>
<p>I could go on and on about all of the reasons I haven’t had excellent control, but I&#8217;m not going to. Everyone is busy.&#160; Everyone has something that can get in the way.&#160; My doctor likes to say things like, “life doesn’t stop or become easier just because you have diabetes”.&#160; I think the real reason is for the fact that it’s pretty easy to have good control.&#160; Conversely, it’s very difficult, in my opinion, to go from good/very good to excellent; let’s say to go from a 7.1 to 6.5 A1c.&#160; At least this has been the case for me.&#160; If I eat semi-healthy and limit sugar loaded foods, I can maintain a mid 7 A1c all year long and twice on Sunday’s.</p>
<p>To get and maintain an A1c below 7, the goal of probably every diabetic, means big changes that come in the form of either regular exercise and/or very strict diet.&#160; This is really where I have failed.&#160; When I was below 7, I was working out like crazy and watching my diet very closely.&#160; That’s hard to do when there’s only 24 hours each day filled with work, sleep and kids/family time.&#160; The reason it’s so difficult for me is because I haven’t committed to a lifestyle change for the long term.&#160; I will do good for a few months and then some event will trigger a downward spiral that goes on until my next burst of motivation kicks in and the cycle continues.</p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Road.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Road" border="0" alt="Road" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Road_thumb.jpg" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p>
<p>[<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/denemiles/4195859328/" target="_blank">source</a>]</p>
<p>That is…. until <strong>now</strong>. </p>
<p>Starting as of 1/2/2010 I’m back on track with the diet, exercise, mentally and motivationally. I will win; it’s not something I can afford to lose.</p>
<p>Next up are details on my dieting/exercise, the single biggest X factor in keeping my blood sugar below 200 on the regular and my 2010 challenge.</p>
<p>.....................................................................
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		<title>World Diabetes Day &#8211; Big Blue Test</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/10/world-diabetes-day-big-blue-test/</link>
		<comments>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/10/world-diabetes-day-big-blue-test/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:37:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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So the big day is fast approaching on November 14th when it is the World Diabetes Day.&#160; I recently found out on twitter that Manny at TuDiabetes is planning a special event at 2:00 PM EST on November 14th where those with diabetes:

Test their blood sugar
Do some type of exercise or activity for 14 minutes
Test [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p>So the big day is fast approaching on November 14th when it is the <a href="http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/" target="_blank">World Diabetes Day</a>.&nbsp; I recently found out on <a href="http://twitter.com/dsainsights">twitter</a> that Manny at <a href="http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/the-big-blue-test-on-world" target="_blank">TuDiabetes</a> is planning a special <a href="http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/the-big-blue-test-on-world" target="_blank">event</a> at 2:00 PM EST on November 14th where those with diabetes:</p>
<ol>
<li>Test their blood sugar
<li>Do some type of exercise or activity for 14 minutes
<li>Test their blood sugar again
<li>post your results on twitter/TuDiabetes using the #bigblue hashtag </li>
</ol>
<p><a href="http://worlddiabetesday.org"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="108" alt="banner_monument_challenge" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/banner_monument_challenge.jpg" width="400" border="0"></a> </p>
<p>I think any type of activity to promote testing your blood sugar and advocating diabetes is a good thing.&nbsp; We need to get the message out that this disease needs a cure and fast.&nbsp; Promoting diabetes awareness and good diabetes control is also very important to those of us with diabetes.&nbsp; Exercise and regular blood sugar testing are definitely the backbone to excellent diabetes control.&nbsp; </p>
<p>So far so good, right?</p>
<p>Here is where my concern comes into play.&nbsp; What you may not know is that exercise can sometimes cause a short-term spike in blood sugar before it drops.&nbsp; I&#8217;ve seen it a few times in the past.&nbsp; My concern is that folks that are motivated to make a change and see their blood sugar actually go <u><strong>up</strong></u> when they do this exercise will be discouraged.&nbsp; Don&#8217;t get me wrong, I think exercise is the second most important part of diabetes management with insulin being the first.&nbsp; When I am exercising and eating right, I have many fewer high test <a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-progress-part-4-of-series/" target="_blank">results</a>.&nbsp; I hope this works.&nbsp; I hope that I&#8217;m wrong.&nbsp; I just want people to be aware that it may take a little more than 14 minutes to bring down your blood sugar.&nbsp; I don&#8217;t have scientific data to back up my statements above, just some experience in the real world.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a title="http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/the-big-blue-test-on-world" href="http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/the-big-blue-test-on-world"></a></p>
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		<title>An Excellent Health Resource You May Not Know About</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/09/an-excellent-health-resource-you-may-not-know-about/</link>
		<comments>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/09/an-excellent-health-resource-you-may-not-know-about/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:29:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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I frequent WebMD on occasion as I try to learn more about diseases or symptoms, especially when it comes to my young children.&#160; I guess you could call me an informed patient/parent that wants to take my health and the health of my family into my own hands.&#160; Knowledge is power, right?&#160; Just recently, I [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p>I frequent <a href="http://www.webmd.com/" target="_blank"><strong>WebMD</strong></a> on occasion as I try to learn more about diseases or symptoms, especially when it comes to my young children.&nbsp; I guess you could call me an informed patient/parent that wants to take my health and the health of my family into my own hands.&nbsp; Knowledge is power, right?&nbsp; Just recently, I learned of another great resource that provides information on chronic illnesses, diseases, health problems, dieting, healthy living, etc.&nbsp; The website that I wanted to share with my Blogging Diabetes readers is <a href="http://www.qualityhealth.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Quality Health</strong></a>.</p>
<p>It is always nice to have multiple health resources to be able to compare and get either more or confirming information.&nbsp; I try not to use just one site for this very reason.</p>
<p>For Quality Health&#8217;s <strong>Diabetes</strong> Resource Center, click <a href="http://www.qualityhealth.com/diabetes-health-center" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>
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		<title>Blogging Diabetes &#8211; Progress [Part 4 of Series]</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-progress-part-4-of-series/</link>
		<comments>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-progress-part-4-of-series/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:15:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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1. Introduction
2. Caffeine
3. The Diet
4. Progress
So far I have discussed what the plan and goal is, the amount of caffeine I was drinking and the new diet I have started.&#160; This post will discuss the progress I&#8217;ve made in a very short time.&#160; Just to recap, I started with a goal of getting my blood [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-news-series/" target="_blank"><strong>1. Introduction</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-caffeine-part-2-of-series/" target="_blank"><strong>2. Caffeine</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-the-diet-part-3-of-series/" target="_blank"><strong>3. The Diet</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>4. Progress</strong></p>
<p>So far I have discussed what the plan and goal is, the amount of caffeine I was drinking and the new diet I have started.&nbsp; This post will discuss the progress I&#8217;ve made in a very short time.&nbsp; Just to recap, I started with a goal of getting my blood sugars more in control and consistent.&nbsp; Just like in my golf game, I will take consistency [in range] over distance any day of the week and twice on Sundays. </p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/tunnel.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="204" alt="tunnel" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/tunnel_thumb.jpg" width="304" border="0"></a>&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>Running &amp; Shins</strong></p>
<p>I&#8217;m not a huge fan of running especially for distance.&nbsp; I played a lot of soccer in my younger days and did a lot of running, but that was much different.&nbsp; Since high school, a few years back [wink wink], I haven&#8217;t done much running.&nbsp; I will do a little jogging on the treadmill, but nothing that would win races.&nbsp; The first piece of cardio equipment I purchased and still use was an elliptical, which is much easier on the body than running.&nbsp; Since writing this<strong> </strong><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2008/11/running-marathons-with-diabetes/" target="_blank"><strong>post</strong></a> last November, I have wanted to get back into running to be more fit and drop a little weight.&nbsp; The problem is that I would start with shin splints soon after starting to run regardless of how much stretching I did.&nbsp; I tried everything, wraps, creams, stretching, exercises, etc. all to no avail.&nbsp; That is until now&#8230; Part of my diet has been no caffeine and at least 8 glasses of cran-water mix per day, which I have been doing with ease and then some.&nbsp; Well, now that my body is hydrated, I haven&#8217;t even had an ache or slightest bit of pain in my shins &#8211; none, nada, zip, zero.&nbsp; It&#8217;s such a relief to be able to run, I&#8217;ve gone up to 4 miles so far with absolutely no pain in my shins.</p>
<p><strong>Caffeine</strong></p>
<p>After a week of weaning off of caffeine, I went cold turkey on Monday July 27 [3 weeks ago].&nbsp; I&#8217;ve had a few cans of Diet Mt. Dew just to use up the supply I have on hand, but absolutely nothing like before.&nbsp; Do I have times that I really want some, hell yes.&nbsp; Does it quickly pass, yes.&nbsp; I use to never be able to go down the soda isle at the grocery store without buying either a 2 liter or cans of the Dew.&nbsp; Now, I just walk right by and could care less.&nbsp; I also miss the Lo-Carb Monster, but not enough to give up how great I feel without caffeine.&nbsp; No longer do I crash in the evenings.&nbsp; When my kids are here and want to play, I have so much more energy.&nbsp; I&#8217;ll never go back. Never.&nbsp; I think people in general underestimate the power that caffeine has on the body and is very addicting.&nbsp; The last benefit is that even with drinking so much cran-water, I go to the bathroom about half as much.&nbsp; The soda just goes right through you.</p>
<p><strong>Diet Progress</strong></p>
<p>Remember my goal was to lose a few pounds and start eating more healthy.&nbsp; I started probably a little more then 200 pounds, but let&#8217;s just call it 200.&nbsp; After two weeks on this diet I was down to 193.5 pounds, roughly 3 pounds a week.&nbsp; So even at 194ish, I only have less than 10 pounds to go and we&#8217;re just 2 weeks into the diet.&nbsp; I don&#8217;t have the stats, but most diets probably fail because people lapse back to their old [poor] eating habits when they reach their target weight.&nbsp; Not here &#8211; I have committed to a lifestyle change.&nbsp; It&#8217;s so refreshing to eat healthy.&nbsp; I&#8217;m not going to lie and tell you that eating salads almost every day is as tasty as a bag of Doritos or a hearty cold cut sandwich, but it&#8217;s liberating.&nbsp; This coming from someone who ate sandwiches every day for years.&nbsp; I don&#8217;t see much difference in the mirror, but feel a lot better. I have also switched to mainly organic and whole foods.&nbsp; I asked my wife if she thought I look like I lost weight [loaded question].&nbsp; Her response was, &#8220;how are your clothes fitting4&#8243;?.&nbsp; After thinking for a second, I said, &#8220;yeah, my shorts are a bit loose and I&#8217;m down a belt notch.&#8221;&nbsp; Enough said.</p>
<p><strong>Blood Sugars</strong></p>
<p>For ten years I&#8217;ve been trying for consistent blood sugars in the acceptable range [70-140].&nbsp; I am all over the place and my doctor just says that many of his type 1 patients are all over the board like me.&nbsp; I do a good job and rarely test less than 5 times a day.&nbsp; I try to do all the right things, but snacking always kills my blood sugar.&nbsp; Maybe I tend to underestimate my carb intake, but I am playing the 140, 340, 45, 250 game.&nbsp; I will say, not proudly, that I can correct the shit out of a 250+ blood sugar without going low.&nbsp; Put my going to bed sugars at anywhere from 250-400 and I will wake up in the morning between 80 and 150.&nbsp; Since starting this serious diet 3 weeks ago, my blood sugars have been phenomenal.&nbsp; I haven&#8217;t seen one 300 or even close to it in 3 weeks.&nbsp; Think about that&#8230; I couldn&#8217;t go a few days without correcting one of these highs in the past.&nbsp; Now 3 weeks without one even close.&nbsp; That&#8217;s TIGHT.&nbsp; The difference is that I&#8217;m not eating chips, rice, potatoes, bread or other processed carbs.&nbsp; I get a ton of fiber and really my only carbs from fruits and vegetables.&nbsp; Try getting a 300+ blood sugar from eating lettuce, peppers, carrots and sugar snap peas.&nbsp; You&#8217;d have to eat a truck full.&nbsp;&nbsp; Plus, I get full from these foods because they have very little carbs/calories and I can eat a lot.&nbsp; I am filling my pump reservoir with about half as much insulin as before and my basal rate is much lower.&nbsp; Honestly, this has been the most refreshing accomplishment in 10 years with type 1 diabetes.&nbsp; Now I feel like I can win.&nbsp; No longer do I feel like I&#8217;m fighting with one leg and my arms tied behind my back. </p>
<p><strong>Thank you for all of your support.&nbsp; I&#8217;m truly grateful for my readers and the feedback I receive.&nbsp; As I&#8217;ve noted before, always consult with your doctor before starting a diet or exercise.</strong></p>
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		<title>Blogging Diabetes &#8211; The Diet [Part 3 of Series]</title>
		<link>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-the-diet-part-3-of-series/</link>
		<comments>http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-the-diet-part-3-of-series/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:07:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		
1. Introduction
2. Caffeine
3. The Diet
4. Progress

So far I have covered what I am doing and the ridiculous amount of caffeine I was drinking.&#160; This post will focus on the diet I&#8217;ve started.&#160; Just to recap a little on my current weight situation and goal.&#160; I am 5&#8242;10&#8243; and weighed about 200 pounds going into my [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-news-series/" target="_blank"><strong>1. Introduction</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-caffeine-part-2-of-series/" target="_blank"><strong>2. Caffeine</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>3. The Diet</strong></p>
<p>4. Progress</p>
<h5></h5>
<p>So far I have covered what I am doing and the ridiculous amount of caffeine I was drinking.&nbsp; This post will focus on the diet I&#8217;ve started.&nbsp; Just to recap a little on my current weight situation and goal.&nbsp; I am 5&#8242;10&#8243; and weighed about 200 pounds going into my diet.&nbsp; My goal was to drop down to around 187 pounds.&nbsp; From there I can work back on building lean muscle.&nbsp; About 4-5 years ago I was in the best shape of my life and was weighing about 195.&nbsp; Right now, just five pounds heavier, I feel so much more out of shape.&nbsp; </p>
<ul>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cherry.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="cherry" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cherry_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0"></a> </p>
</ul>
<p>Like many diabetics, I have struggled to keep my blood sugar consistently in the acceptable range of 70-140.&nbsp; I will be in the range, then high, over correct, then low, etc.&nbsp; You know the drill, right.&nbsp; This diet is really more than just a diet.&nbsp; It&#8217;s a life style change.&nbsp; I can&#8217;t be eating the garbage I do [did] all the time and expect to take diabetes head-on.&nbsp; I mean seriously.&nbsp; Now, let&#8217;s talk about what I did eat.&nbsp; I was pretty good and only occasionally hit the fast food joints (maybe once a week at most).&nbsp; My weak spot was chips.&nbsp; I could devour a bag of Doritos, Fritos or Cheetos without thinking twice.&nbsp; Almost always, I would under estimate the amount of carbs, probably because I was in denial, and ended up with a high blood sugar.&nbsp; I have done some research and know that this is the time for a drastic change and not just one to get ready for my vacation in 4 weeks.&nbsp; A change for good and for the good.&nbsp; </p>
<p>I have to credit Ann Gittleman&#8217;s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071383832?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=decissuppoana-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creativeASIN=0071383832" target="_blank"><strong>Fat Flush Plan</strong></a> for the motivation, shopping list, recipes and direction.&nbsp; I started this plan a few weeks ago and things are going better than I expected in some areas and not so in another.&nbsp; I&#8217;ll talk more about my specific progress in the next post.&nbsp; Here are some keys to the plan:&nbsp; </p>
<ul>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071383832?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=decissuppoana-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creativeASIN=0071383832" target="_blank"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="210" alt="FatFlushPlanBook_LG" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/FatFlushPlanBook_LG.jpg" width="196" border="0"></a> </p>
<ul></ul>
<li>
<p>It&#8217;s all about your liver </p>
<li>
<p>Not all fat is bad fat </p>
<li>
<p>Stress </p>
<li>
<p>Sleep </p>
<li>
<p>3-stage plan [2 week fat flush, ongoing fat flush, lifestyle eating plan] </p>
<li>
<p>Water, Flax, Cranberry, fiber </p>
<li>
<p>Omega-3 </p>
<li>
<p>Organic </p>
<li>
<p>Exercise </p>
<li>
<p>Medicines </p>
<li>
<p>Protein </p>
<li>
<p>Cut out all of the high-glycemic foods </p>
<li>
<p>cellulite targeting (women)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
<p>At a high level, you start out by loading up on cran-water (mixture of water and pure cranberry juice), cut out all of the processed (white) carbohydrates, most of which are high-glycemic, and maintain high fiber and protein portions for each meal.&nbsp; I can honestly say that I haven&#8217;t eaten one slice of bread in over two weeks.&nbsp; This coming from someone who A) loves me some Italian bread with olive oil, Peccorino cheese and rosemary and B) ate a cold cut sandwich on the daily for lunch.</p>
<p><strong>Warning &#8211; Always consult your nutritionist/physician before going on a strict diet like this one.&nbsp; What works for me may not work or could seriously affect someone else&#8217;s health.&nbsp; Also, the carb/calorie restriction has a huge impact on insulin intake and could lead to hypoglycemia. </strong>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The last post of this series will outline my results so far with the caffeine cut back and diet.</p>
<p>.....................................................................
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		<title>Blogging Diabetes &#8211; Caffeine [Part 2 of Series]</title>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:59:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		
1. Introduction
2. Caffeine
3. The Diet
4. Progress
My Vice
A little while back, I discussed the issue of caffeine possibly causing blood sugar levels to rise.&#160; That post and information inspired me to do a giveaway so others could research diabetes to see what they may not have known about.&#160; For a long time, I have been drinking [...]<p>.....................................................................
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<p><strong><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/08/blogging-diabetes-news-series/" target="_blank">1. Introduction</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>2. Caffeine</strong></p>
<p>3. The Diet</p>
<p>4. Progress</p>
<h5><strong>My Vice</strong></h5>
<p>A little while back, I <a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/03/blogging-diabetes-giveawaycontest/" target="_blank">discussed</a> the issue of caffeine possibly causing blood sugar levels to rise.&nbsp; That post and information inspired me to do a giveaway so others could research diabetes to see what they may not have known about.&nbsp; For a long time, I have been drinking an obscene amount of caffeine on a daily basis.&nbsp; I would say I was a casual drinker up until about 5 years ago when my consumption started to spike up.</p>
<p>Having diabetes, I always looked at diet soda as my &#8220;free&#8221; drink that tasted good, had next to zero calories and wasn&#8217;t that bad for you.&nbsp; I always thought, y<em>ou can take away carb-loaded foods, but don&#8217;t even think about my Diet Mt. Dew.&nbsp; Hands OFF!</em>&nbsp; I have sworn to this very day that there is something that Pepsi puts in Mt. Dew that makes it addicting.&nbsp; Maybe it&#8217;s all the caffeine (55 mgs per 12oz.), but the stuff is dynamite. </p>
<h5><strong>My Routine</strong></h5>
<p>I would start the day with a 16oz can of either Monster Lo-Carb or Sugar Free Rockstar&nbsp; each with close to 200 mgs of caffeine, which would jumpstart my morning.&nbsp; After the initial energy drink that tastes awesome (Monster blue can is my favorite) I would go Diet Mountain Dew all day long until about 4:30.&nbsp; That&#8217;s when I would quit for the day so I wasn&#8217;t kept up at night.&nbsp; If I had to guess, I&#8217;d say that I would drink at least four 20oz bottles during the day.&nbsp; I would probably put my caffeine intake for one day in the neighborhood of 600mgs. </p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Monster.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="Monster" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Monster_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0"></a></p>
<p>The other harmful ingredient of caffeine is citric and phosphoric acid that eat away at the enamel of your teeth.&nbsp; Some say that these acids are nearly as corrosive as battery acid to your enamel. [<a href="http://www.livescience.com/health/070321_soda_teeth.html" target="_blank">source</a>]&nbsp; I&#8217;ve always heard that regular soda is bad for your teeth because of all the sugar in it.&nbsp; My dentist would ask if I drink coffee or soda, which I would answer, &#8220;only diet soda&#8221;.&nbsp; I guess both are bad for your teeth.&nbsp; The bar chart below shows the pH content of different brands of soda.&nbsp; Interestingly, Diet Mountain Dew is the third best of all the sodas in terms of pH content.&nbsp; Um, the last thing I want to do is have no enamel left on my teeth.&nbsp; Plus, I think my parents would kick my ass for having damaged the teeth they spent so much money to straighten.&nbsp; Don&#8217;t even get me started on the artificial sweetener &#8211; Aspartame.&nbsp; Who <em>really</em> knows the long term effects these chemicals can have on your body.</p>
<p><a href="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/070321_drink_03.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="289" alt="070321_drink_03" src="http://bloggingdiabetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/070321_drink_03_thumb.jpg" width="225" border="0"></a> </p>
<p>[<a href="http://www.livescience.com/health/070321_soda_teeth.html" target="_blank">source</a>]</p>
<h5><strong>My Goal</strong></h5>
<p>Back in December/January, I made a goal that I would cut WAY back on caffeine in 2009.&nbsp; I really didn&#8217;t define exactly what &#8220;way back&#8221; would be or how to measure it.&nbsp; I just knew I needed to start cutting back.&nbsp; I did some reading and research and found the best way to cut out caffeine is to wean off of it over a period of time.&nbsp; Cold turkey is difficult to do because of the &#8220;hold&#8221; caffeine can have on you.&nbsp; I found myself crashing from no caffeine at around 6-7 PM each night, right at the time I wanted to spend quality family time.&nbsp; Also, the soda made me have to go to the bathroom all the time during the day.&nbsp; Don&#8217;t get me wrong, there are some positive effects that caffeine can have on you like, increase alertness, decreased fatigue and improved muscle coordination.&nbsp; So why the headaches when you stop drinking caffeine? </p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Low concentration of caffeine may cause a decrease in heart rate, but high concentration increases the palpitations significantly.</p>
<p>If you are consuming high soft drinks and then suddenly you stop drinking, caffeine in brain may constrict the blood vessels causing headache and migraine. These are also known as withdrawal symptoms.&#8221; [<a href="http://www.migraineinformation.org/consumption-cola-cause-headache.html" target="_blank">source</a>]</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The next post in this series will discuss the diet I&#8217;ve been following and what&#8217;s involved.</p>
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