Type 1 Feeling Shafted

Sometimes I get frustrated because we always hear about Type 2 Diabetes and the cause is from being overweight. We hear it on the news regularly and on the internet. While its true Type 2 Diabetes shows up in overweight individuals, that isn't the case for Type 1 diabetics.

The other day while I was at the Ophthalmologist getting my yearly eye exams for my Diabetes, the nurse said something very sweet to me. We were going over my history and when she saw that I was a diabetic she said “Oh my! You do not look like a diabetic!”

I at first was startled and flattered, but then I was a little sad about the misconception people have about this terrible disease.

I already posted about the differences between the two diseases, you can find that here. 

I really just want to point out that you can get diabetes without being overweight. I've known plenty of “pre-diabetics” that were thin, but still had higher blood sugars and needed to get it under control before it became full blown.

Sometimes I feel shafted, Type 1 is usually never discussed nor do you hear about any research being done. I have read a lot regarding it and some research usually stating how they are puzzled as to why our auto-immune system kills off our own pancreas, but no solutions.

Maybe if they'd stop focusing on the “why” and started focusing on changing the way this nation feeds themselves that would be a start? Perhaps our bodies kill off its beta cells because of some poisonous food we eat like “high fructose corn syrup” or the coloring in the foods just to make it look nutritious? Or what about those “natural flavors” you see advertised on labels, what is that all about?

Now I am no scientist I do not know if its truly poison, but I do know enough about it that it is bad for us. I ate this stuff most of my life except for the the meals my Mom made growing up, she'd always use natural foods and she'd try to have us eat vegetables regularly.  The problem came in when I just snacked on crap!  

Perhaps if our country eliminated selling these man made products and to start teaching people about nutrition we would finally start getting healthy? 

I for one am not holding my breath on that to occur its time we put our health into our own hands and just do it! People ask me how do you lose weight? The short of it eat less and exercise regularly. There are no shortcuts! Its hard work and it takes time and then it takes the rest of your life to maintain it! That I do know.

Please take a few minutes and go to HBO Weight of the Nation and watch their movies they have for free regarding this epidemic.  Start taking action now!

Excerpts from The Motivational Girl are protected by copyright and used here by permission of The Motivational Girl, 2012.

Back To Basics

Over the last 1 ½ years I stopped logging what I ate. After Nutrisystem I logged my food every day for 2 years to help me learn how to maintain my 52 pound weight loss. I can't say for sure why I stopped except that I felt confident I wouldn't gain my weight back.

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Well over this time since I stopped logging what I ate, I have gained 16 pounds back and that scared me to death because I was eating healthy foods! So many articles out there that I read where counting calories is unnecessary all you need to do is exclude sugars from your diet. I disagree! I am proof of it.


I focus on eating vegetables, little fruit, oats, protein (nuts, seeds, legumes, animal meat) very little refined carbohydrates and still gained this weight. Why??  Because I was eating too much of it! Well you ask how do you know? Because I gained weight and then decided to start tracking what I ate and found I was eating way over my maintenance calories.


I could have easily thrown in the towel and gave up, but there was no way I am going to give up!  So about 4 weeks ago I started logging my food again eating 1200-1500 calories a day.  Continued to exercise 5 hours a week (oh yeah forgot to add that above I was exercising 5 hours a week and still gained).

I think its important to read and research all of the health articles out there, but always keep in your mind that old rule “if you eat more than you burn you will gain weight!” because it is true!  I have lost 7 pounds in the 4 weeks I have been counting my calories and still eating the same foods that I ate before I started.

Some people can eat the right foods and they can keep to small portions and lose or maintain their body weight.  For me, I need to know how much I am eating or I will over eat because I am addicted to food.  Always have been, always will have that curse so for me this works.

If your struggling with your weight whether its maintenance or losing weight, start tracking your calories you are eating.  I will bet you see a difference in the scale fairly quickly. ;)

By the way, I switched from logging my food from Livestrong to My Fitness Pal it is awesome! You can scan barcodes on the packages you eat and the calories and servings go write into your diary for the day.  Plus some of my old Nutrisystem friends are there cheering me on, so cool!!


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Keep Going No Matter What!

Have you ever wanted to give up on your goals?  I know I have and sometimes its on a regular basis.  I will have to admit lately I have struggled with my maintenance not knowing the best foods for my body.  I have found since removing the sugars from my diet the higher fat foods put weight on me even though their the good fats, but I don't intend on giving up!

I have written about my husband before and how he is a Ultra Marathoner who runs 50K's (32 miles).  He's suffered over and over with his body with certain ailments and continues to study and research the parts of the body that cause him the problems and then he dedicatedly works and works on those muscles.  I am not talking about a few weeks, I am talking months of dedication daily!!  He never gives up.

A few weekends ago he ran in a race called "Lovin the Hills" I can't go into specific elevation here, but were talking thousands of feet they had to climb in the Kentucky area.

This was one of the pictures they got of my husband running in the beautiful hills of Kentucky.  I was so proud of him (not sure why because he's proved that is just who he is) never gives up.

It was bitterly cold, 18 degrees with a wind chill in the single digits.  I made it in that cold 40 minutes and about froze, but my hubby a lot longer.

So I wanted to dedicate today's post to him and to everyone else out there who strives everyday to be their best.  Don't give up!

Here's his finishing time and place:

50K - 75 Finishers

11th *********** 5:47:05

50K Course Map

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Diabetes~Know The Difference Between The Type's

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So many people try to help me by sending articles regarding Diabetes.  I so appreciate them thinking of me, but sometimes I get frustrated because its always on Type 2 and not Type 1, which is what I have. Do you ever feel like people don't hear you?

These two type's couldn't be more different.  Learn the difference, no one is immune anyone can get either one.

I am posting a good description of both from www.abcnews.go.com …

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There are several types of diabetes; I'm going to discuss the two main types: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 formerly called juvenile onset diabetes occurs typically before the age of 20. Individuals with type 1 diabetes are usually thin, and the cause of type 1 diabetes is that the pancreas, the organ that secretes insulin, is destroyed by autoantibodies, that's why people with type 1 diabetes always need insulin, either injected or through an insulin pump. Type 1 diabetes occurs in about 10-15 percent of all the diabetics in the country.

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Now, the most common type of diabetes is what we call type 2, formerly called adult onset. Type 2 diabetics are usually heavy, usually diagnosed after the age of 35. Now, the cause of type 2 diabetes is quite different from type 1. The cause of type 2 diabetes is primarily a complicated medical condition called 'insulin-resistance.' In fact, in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, there's plenty of insulin around, it just doesn't work well. To treat type 2 diabetes, we typically use lifestyle, and that may work alone -- just diet and exercise -- then we may need oral medications, and it is not uncommon for someone with type 2 diabetes to eventually need insulin, either with or without the oral medications.

Now, type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 85 to 90 percent of all the diabetics in the country. The other important thing that needs to be said is that type 2 diabetes is associated with heart disease, and that's why it's so important to not only treat the glucose levels, but also to attack blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well. We know that type 2 diabetes runs very strongly from generation to generation, and we also know that we can prevent type 2 diabetes if we recognize it at an early stage.

The last important thing to mention about type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that you can get any type of diabetes at any age. That's very important and that's why the American Diabetes Association changed the name from 'juvenile onset' to 'type 1,' and 'adult onset' to 'type 2.'

Hopefully this helps you better understand the difference and you can be pro-active in helping someone you know that has it or fight to prevent Type 2 from happening to you.   

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Sharing Your Journey With Others

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One of the things that has helped me be a successful weight loser and in keeping it off is writing out my goals and sharing it with other people.

I've spoken a few times about my girlfriends on Group and I have spoken about the Nutrisystem forum that helped me through the weight loss.

It was an intricate part of my journey and still is … why do you think that is? My thoughts are because these people are in the same boat as myself trying to lose or trying to maintain. If you surround yourself by those people you become more motivated, smarter about food and learn a lot about yourself . You can even strike a close friendship, I did with Kris on Nutrisystem and we talk everyday!

I have grown so much in the last 6 months its amazing. I am eating all natural foods and am cooking on a regular basis just because of learning so many things from others. If I didn't spend hours on the weekends blogging and reading I have no idea where I'd be right now. I can't imagine doing this alone and succeeding. I suppose there is a good chance in succeeding on your own, but I have to think there's less of a chance of it.

When I write out my goals or my plans to my Group it gives me strength, it gives me motivation to stick to it because it gives me accountability for myself and if I don't stick to it I know they will hold me accountable and they should!

If you know someone who is trying to lose weight or is struggling with their health, pass them on to my blog or someone else maybe that is all they need to know there are others out there surviving the weight obesity epidemic.

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You Don't Have To Eat Everything On Your Plate

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Since changing my eating on 12/10/2011 to not eating processed foods, aspartame, splenda etc, I came to a new realization on one Wednesday night while my husband and I were eating out at Bob Evans. That was you don't have to eat everything on your plate! BINGO! How is it that just dawned on me??

Because I made a change in what I was putting into my body, it made me think first before eating.  I am pretty sure this was the first time in my life that I can remember,  I did not eat any carbohydrate with my meal at a restaurant. I bought the vegetable omelet for 312 calories and the cup of vegetable beef soup for 127 calories.

There were 2 pieces of dry wheat toast on the side and there were potatoes in my soup. I picked out every potato there was in that soup and laid in on the side of the plate. I put the toast out of reach just to help me while I ate my omelet. I love having my toast with my omelet, but now I know I don't have to have it to enjoy what I am eating.

When I was done, I felt empowered. I felt like I know I can do this I do not need carbohydrates (sugar) with every meal. My diabetes will be fine without it meaning I shouldn't have any hypoglycemic drops in blood sugar.  Also, I didn't have to use any insulin, which has all kinds of benefits!

Next time your about to eat something that you know deep down you really do not need or gives you any nutritional benefit stop and take a deep breath and then remove it from your plate or walk away.

The benefits are huge! It gave me confidence, it made me stronger in my will to accomplish this new change and it will help me next time.

Lets take one meal at a time and set your sights on your goal. It is doable!

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Packing Your Lunch

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One of the things I have changed to help keep my weight off is going home for lunch every day. Thankfully I live close to home, so that is not an issue for me. I can think about what I want to make for myself and know that it is going to be healthy.

For those of you who watch their weight and strive to make the right choices, if you can't go home for lunch what do you usually do? Do you go out and get fast food? Do you go to places like Wal-Mart and pick up a salad that is healthy?

Before starting Nutrisystem's, I would make my own lunch and take it too work. Most of the time it consisted of left over casserole of some sort from the night before. However, I would go to lunch frequently with my girlfriend from work.

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I remember thinking “I only ate this or that I should be losing weight”...HA! I had no clue what I was talking about because I had no knowledge of a calorie. All the meals I ordered ranged between 800 to 1200 calories that I know NOW.

There are 2 things I recommend to you if you want to lose weight. First and foremost, start logging your foods into a database like My Daily Plate. Learn how many calories you are consuming a day. I bet after your first day you will then realize why you are gaining and not losing.

Second, I recommend buying healthy foods and start making your lunch and taking it to work instead of going out every day. Its easy to get out of the pattern your in, the hardest part is doing it for the first time.  

How do you handle lunch time at work?

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Why I Preach Health

My Weight Loss Bears from Nutrisystems

If you know my story you know I suffered chronic illness and pain for over a decade due to my Type 1 Diabetes.

It is a miracle from God that I found my way out of the dark bowels of sickness, negativity and pain. I use to pray so hard that He show me the way out of that suffering. What I never recognized was the answer was right in front of me.  Eat the foods God has made and not men!

My Dad was the only one growing up I knew who really cared about his fitness and his health.  He tried to get me to think about how important it is to take care of myself and I never listened.  It is a lot like religion, it doesn't hit the person or mean anything to someone until they find the truth.

When the light turns on you want to share it with everyone, but not everyone wants to listen or hear what you have to say because it makes them feel like you are passing judgment on them. Am I judging them?? I don't think so except I think to myself “only if you knew what you were truly eating”.  My objective in sharing this good news is that I want to help other people. I want them to benefit from being healthy and fit like I have the last 4 years.

To not have to suffer bad health and disability is what I call freedom the way God intended us to live on this earth. Yes, sometimes eating right and exercising isn't enough to fight some diseases. However, it will give you a better chance to live longer and have better days on this earth, so why not take it?

My New TENs Unit for my feet

I am still as sick as I was 4 years ago, I still have neuropathy that hurts and use my TENs unit regularly.   I still have to wear my insulin pump, but because of eating the right foods I don't have to use as much insulin as I once did, which also helps eliminate fat from my body. 

By controlling my blood sugar eases my neuropathies, its a win win situation. Can I still go blind? Yes. Can I still lose kidney function? Yes. Can I still lose a foot? Yes. However, my chances of survival are greater now than ever before due to the change in eating.

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What if no one shared with you the things I am telling you today? To me if I don't share my story with others I wouldn't be a very nice person. I want to scream from the roof tops for others to hear the truth. You don't have to suffer! Yes it takes work! Yes it takes guts and strength!  If I can do it , you can do it!!

Do you share your healthful views with others? If so, what kind of response do you get?

Excerpts from The Motivational Girl are protected by copyright and used here by permission of The Motivational Girl, 2012.