Thursday, October 25, 2007

13 lifestyle changes I'm making since finding out I'm diabetic



Finding out several weeks ago that I have Type 2 diabetes was a nasty surprise. However, I've decided to accept the challenge to lower my blood sugar by doing everything at my disposal to make that happen. Here are 13 things I am making a part of my life.

1) I exercise at least 30 minutes every day but Sunday. (I either do the elliptical or treadmill along with some weight training at TruEssence, or walk or ride the stationary bike at home.)

2) I take 2 tsps of apple cider vinegar twice a day.

3) I put cinnamon in my coffee, cereal, pudding and baked apples.

4) I try to have about two tablespoons of ground flax seed a day.

5) I divide my dinner plate three ways: meat and a carb on the top half of my plate, veggies on the bottom half, and I focus on eating smaller portions

6) I eat whole grain cereal, bread and pasta.

7) I eat brown rice instead of white.

8) I snack on things like apples with natural peanut butter.

9) I have blueberry tea every day.

10) My most decadent dessert is fat-free sugar-free pudding, topped with sugar-free Cool Whip.

11) I often use blue agave nectar instead of artificial sweeteners.

12) I make berry smoothies with yogurt and flax.

13) I've completely given up pop, sugared or diet, and drink only water, herbal tea, or a mixture of brewed green tea and sugar-free powdered drink.


Actually, there are other changes. I'm trying to make them an ingrained part of my life. And you know what? I don't feel like I'm suffering at all. I feel better than I have in a long time...more energetic and healthier...and everything I eat tastes delicious. If you're diabetic or just trying to eat healthier, please feel free to leave me any tips that are working for you, in my comments section.

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16 comments:

Unknown said...

Great list..I have been reading a lot about cinnamon, diabetes and fertiliy...Good luck

Anonymous said...

Great T13. This list makes me think I should probably be more healthy too.

Mine is up: http://overanalyzed.blogspot.com/2007/10/thursday-thirteen-22.html

Unknown said...

I also have type II diabetes and follow many of the things you are doing...I wish you luck with your new lifestyle...great T13 topic

Dane Bramage said...

Good luck with the lifestyle changes and welcome to the diabetes club. I'm a member in good standing for thirteen years.

Thanks for visiting my T13 #53 13 Tidbits of Wisdom Edition

Ashley said...

Great list, Cindy! Some really good tips there.

I did the TT today - 13 Characters from Lost. Fun!

Jen said...

Fabulous list! Apple cider vinegar helps with sinuses and breathing issues, too. Furthermore, you are soooo right about soda. Ugh, it's evil! I just do water with a squirt of lime juice. And cinnamon is just the best thing ever. :)

Thyroid patients have to do a lot of the same things diabetics do. If you like tea, SBS Teas has some VERY yummy ones...some taste almost like dessert. Good luck sticking to it. It really isn't that bad, like you said, because one does start to feel better. You're doing so wonderfully, I'm thrilled to see how you're doing!

(PS - Feel free to email anytime for yummy, healthy recipes, I love to share.)

Addicted to crafting said...

You have made some very good changes...I'm sorry about the diabetes but you can live a very good life if you follow these guidelines...

Take care!!!!! :)

Ann-Marie said...

Hey Cindy! I'm pre-diabetic, and I've never heard about these great tips. Is there a specific book or a website you used for research? I tried a couple of library books, but they were so clinical I didn't really get any ideas. Let me know. I'm totally going to start using these tips for me. Thanks for sharing!

Sword Mama said...

Thanks for sharing these great tips! I've got some flax seeds in the cupboard that I need to grind up. I'm thinking about your suggestion of adding it to a berry and yogurt shake! It sounds really good. :-) It sounds like you are doing terrific! :-)

from Sword Girl
this is my Blogger addy

Malcolm said...

I am glad to hear that the lifestyle changes are already having a positive effect on you. Keep up the great work!

damozel said...

Good luck in getting your diabetes under control!

Solameanie said...

I could never get enough cinnamon, something my mother complains about constantly. I would live at Cinnabon if I could.

Hopefully they have non-sugar cinnamon rolls somewhere.

Naomi said...

Hi Cindy, Just came across to say Hello. Glad you enjoyed your visit to my blog. That's a great post. There are some good tips there. Sounds like you are doing really well in controlling your diabetes. I always remember my grandmother was in her seventies when she was diagnosed. She loved sweet things and took two sugars in her tea all her life and gave up sugar and sweets overnight. I remember her saying how much better she felt. Best of luck and take care.

Naomi said...

P.S. Welcome to Blog Village Cindy!

I enjoyed my visit to your blog and will come across again soon.

Norma said...

Good for you for going after this in a sensible way. I've found TT is a useful way to track these things.

JAM said...

This is going to sound totally bizarre, but the lady in the photo at the top of this post weighing herself goes to the same church as Lovely Wife and I.

She's a model and actress in commercials and her husband is a financial planner here in Melbourne, Florida.

I haven't been able to make all of my blogging rounds lately and have been trying to catch up. As I scrolled down reading your posts, that picture of Katie stopped me in my tracks. She's also on a commercial for one of those little getaround type wheelchair thingys and Lovely Wife and I cheer every time it comes on TV.

Best wishes with the diet and getting your eating under control. A friend at work was diagnosed with TII Diabetes and has been inspiring to me in his weight loss and determinations to get his health back on track.

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