So…I’ve completed four full weeks of a food journal, with grams and percentages of carbohydrates, fat, and protein, and continuing with recording blood glucose readings and insulin dosages. I’m feeling more than a little depressed right now because I’ve gained weight instead of losing, even though my blood glucose numbers are coming down a bit. I’ve averaged 1548 calories per day and 62 grams of carb, so I think I’ll set my February goals for 1500 calories (down from 1800) and 68 grams of carb (down from 100). I can do this!
However, I also need to really focus on the exercise. My goal was 30 minutes a day and I averaged only 16. I have to get serious about this. I also need to be more mindful of water and intentionally drink at least 32 oz. a day. Besides coffee. My right frozen shoulder also needs deliberate attention. I bought a new heating pad and a 4-ft. dowel to use with shoulder exercises. It’s getting worse, not better, so I want to work on fixing it, if I can.
I have taken my last simvastatin today. It’s sort of scary; but I’ve had way below 239 for total cholesterol for several years–regardless of what I ate. So I’m going to be brave now. On the flip side, I’ve started taking my 500mg of metformin at bedtime again. I feel that’s a better option than the glipizide.
I’m going back to MyFitnessPal for my food journal now that I’ve had a month with CalorieKing. I’m disappointed that my CalorieKing software does not reflect the most up-to-date food information as found on the CalorieKing site. I like the software because it gives a nice pie chart of the macronutrient percentages, but I’ll just have to imagine it in my head with MyFitnessPal. I’ve also signed up for a free account with GlucoseBuddy, now that it’s available for android (as well as iPhone) which is supposed to track glucose and insulin and has graphs.
I’ve been adjusting my insulin to my numbers, so I’m not actually still on 40 units in the morning and 50 units at bedtime. During January, I averaged 38 in the morning and 32 at night. Meaning, of course, that I’m nowhere near reducing the Dawn Phenomenon. Frustrating. But everyone says that it’s the last to go. With Glucose Buddy, I should be able to better see an average of my blood glucose readings.
I’m pleased that a few new members have joined Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics, and I’m spending more time on The Vegetarian Low Carb Diabetic Healthy Diet Society, although I do enjoy reading all the success stories on Reversing Diabetes. I’m also taking mental note of what I read on NEWSTART Insights. It’s totally vegan, of course, and very strict about no (processed) oils or sugar. They prohibit even extra virgin olive oil and unrefined organic coconut oil, yet they advocate generous amounts of legumes, whole grains, and fruits. I haven’t yet found any members who have shared their “success stories” of reversing diabetes on a strict vegan diet. Even with walking five miles a day.
