End of Week One

I tend to be a little stubborn and somewhat contrary (I know, it's hard to believe!)  When I was young, if my parents wanted to get me to do something, the most expedient way to do it, was to tell me that I couldn't.  It usually went something like:  "There is no way you will be able to finish that page of math problems by yourself, you'll have to have help." or "Maybe I should call your big brother to help you, you won't be able to clear the table by yourself."  Yeah, they were sneaky and evil people.  I loved them.

My Dad passed away when I was 22 and every once in awhile, when we need a small miracle we "have a conversation with Dad."  It usually works.  I honestly believe that he is still looking out for us in some way.

So I got to thinking today, my results on the scales, would have been just the thing to tickle my father to no end.  To have my boys lose the weight and me not, what a better way to motivate me.  He is still sneaky!  And it still worked.

Okay, I slacked on the exercise last week.  Guess I need to step it up.  I can do this.  I don't like it when people mess with me.  Especially people I can't face down! 

Weigh in Day

Good Morning all!

Sunday is weigh in day - Yea?  I am only getting on the scale once a week. (No use toturing myself every day!)  In true supportive fashion, my boys got on the scales this moring as well.  

Here are the results:

Wonderful Loving Husband:  -3 lbs.

Hormonal 15 year old Son: -2 lbs.

Me - the one that REALLY needs to do this:  -0.5 lbs.

Yes folks!  You read correctly - a week of torment - 18 cups (I'm not kidding) of salad, passing up on 3, count them 3 cakes and I lost an entire half pound!!!  Did you ever feel like the people upstairs are messing with you?

*Sigh*  it's time for breakfast - more later.

Day 6

Day six - week one almost over!  I haven't cheated once!  I think I feel pretty good about that.  

At work today there was a Birthday lunch for two co-workers who share the same birthday.  I went into the break-room to eat my lunch and there on the table, in all its delectable glory was a Red Velvet Layer Cake with thick vanilla frosting and beautiful white chocolate curls.

I sat at the other end of the table and unpacked my salad, crackers, and humus - YUM!  To distract myself, I grabbed my book and began to read.  But then, from the other end of the table, the whispering began:  "Katie . . . Katie . . .I'm here . . .I'm tasty . . . you know you want some. . . come on, just one bite, no one would know."  

I considered my options:

1.  I could continue to eat my salad and read my book, 

2.  I could eat a bite of cake.  Just one bite, right?  I could stop with just one bite.   

3.  I could admit defeat, and leave the break-room without finishing my lunch and retreat to the safety of my desk. 

4.  I could call some hot line and tell the nice person who answered that I was seriously considering having a conversation with a cake!  I was concerned that this particular course of action could possibly have some ramifications involving men in white coats with jackets that fasten behind your back.

However, at that moment I was saved by the Birthday Girls joining me in the break-room with lots of smiles, laughter, and chatter.  They drowned out the whispering cake and I settled down once again with my salad and hummus.  I went back to my desk having eaten my lunch and without as much taking another look at the cake!

On returning home, I checked my daily menu to see what the rest of the evening was to bring.  I couldn't believe it - I get ICE CREAM for snack tonight!!! ( Did I mention that I love Ice Cream?)  This is the best diet ever!!!

Who needs cake?  I get Ice Cream for snack and I didn't have to cheat myself!!   What an awesome day!

Today was a tough day.  I wanted sweets in the worst way!  All I could think about was chocolate, candy, ice cream and cake.  I tried to focus on my goals and menu, but in the back of my head I kept hearing, seeing and mentally smelling (is that possible?) every variety of sweet and chocolate that I have always craved.  I hate days like this!!!

When all you can think about is chocolate cake and ice cream, choking down a salad is a bit difficult!  I did it, but today was the first day I didn't really enjoy it. Until we got to dinner.  Boy am I glad that my boys like to cook as well.  Tonight's dinner was a stir-fry and that happens to be my husband's specialty - Yea Hubby!

Why is it when you are trying hard to do something positive, you discover you are your own worst enemy and roadblock?  It isn't like I can kick myself to the curb or tell myself to shut up!  I've tried, but it doesn't seem to work very well.

It was hard, but in spite of myself, I stuck it out!  I did not fail myself.  No matter how hard I tried.  (Is anyone else getting dizzy?)  I ate what I was supposed to eat, spent some time on my personal stair-master and can go to bed feeling very virtuous .  Did I mention I love ice cream?

Day 5

So, I have I talked about the food yet?  I mean seriously. . .  you all would not believe what we are eating!  Tonight it was spinach, grilled salmon, pecans, cantaloupe, mango, and vinegar and oil dressing; mixed together in a salad.  Weird, right?  WRONG!!!  Super Yummy! (That is a technical term.)

We have been eating the most amazing things this week!  Almost makes up for the huge amount of lettuces and spinach I've been eating.  Don't get me wrong, I like salad as much as the next girl, but come on!  Two a day?  I know, don't complain, just eat it.  Did I mention I love ice cream?

There is such a huge variety of food in such interesting combinations in this plan that we are all having lots of fun at meal time!  I am very fortunate that the boys like to cook as much as I do.  Now, if I could only get them to exercise for me. . .

Day 4 - Obstacles

Obstacles.  Today  seemed to be a day for them.  Why is it whenever you are trying to get somewhere life always puts many and varied roadblocks in your way?  Is it to test commitment?  Or is "someone" messing with us?  I've been thinking about that a lot today.

I've had migraines since I was 11.  Predictably, just when I had psyched myself up to go walk again today, I felt the familiar tingle creep up my spine and slam into my skull.  Why?  I've actually been home today, I was not stressed, I wasn't cleaning with any nasty chemicals, I was being good.  All the same, shortly before my son came home from school, the tunnel vision started and the cat walking across the carpet sounded like Sherman on the march!  Off to the dark quiet room for Katie.

Then I heard from a friend who was attempting to start her own diet, only to be faced with loud uncooperative boys and the lure of sugary caffeine laden sodas.  Obstacles.  They come in all shapes and sizes.

When I was young, my mother and father used to talk to my brother and I about obstacles.  The discussion when something like this:  "If you can't go over it, go around it.  If that doesn't work, you're short, go under it!"  Sometimes when things get hard I can close my eyes and I hear voices in my head; "Go over it, go around it, go under it."

So maybe an obstacle is only an obstacle if you allow it to be.  Perhaps they are put in our path so we can learn how truly strong we really are.  I have a migraine today, I can walk tomorrow.  If I can't get up to the gym, we have a staircase at home, a built in stair-master!  

I will not be defeated!  I guess Mom and Dad knew what they were talking about after all, imagine that!

Day 3

15 years ago the day before I was put on bed-rest due to complications from pregnancy, my husband and I went on a 10 mile hike in the Santa Monica Mountains.  Today, I spent 30 minutes walking around an indoor track and thought I would no survive.  How did I get here?

As I was walking along, with my arms swinging by my side, my medic alert bracelet kept slapping against my wrist, reminding me of the shackle it reminds me of.  How did I get here?

I used to eat a bowl of ice cream at night before I went to bed, now I swallow a handful of medications for everything from High Blood Pressure to Diabetes.  How did I get here?

Maybe instead of worrying or lamenting about how I got here, I need to focus on how I get myself out of this mess I seem to have created for myself.  But how did I become this person?  How did I let this happen?

Today may be a two post day. . . I am taking on the elephant in the room (No it's not me!  I don't think I'm that large [yet]) Exercise.  Did I mention that exercise is a large part of the Dtour program?  Did I also mention that I have been trying everything I can think of to avoid exercise?  

I don't even know why?  Maybe it's because I know I have to do it, so like any reasonable child, I am going into it kicking and screaming.  Hey!  Does kicking and screaming count as cardio?

So, to face down the dragon (could I mix more metaphors?) I am off to the High School Indoor track tonight with my Zune and some extra loud and jamming music.  Then it is home for fish tacos - Life is getting weird!

Day 2!

Okay, day 2 - no cheating yet! Yea me! Yeah, I know it's not that big of an achievement - but I'll take anything I can get!

I wanted to start today by thanking everyone who is lending support. I didn't expect this big of a response. It makes me feel very humbled and loved. I am so glad all of you are out there. This looks like it could be a very remarkable journey and I know I'll need laughter and support along the way.

I am enjoying learning about the Dtour plan.  It is very well laid out and easy to follow.  There also seems to be quite a lot of research and science behind it.  If any of you know me well, you know how well I get along with science.  (I really didn't mean to set the garbage can on fire in biology!)  I'll follow along and leave the science to the people who have the fancy degrees and pocket protectors.

So last night, there was a discussion as to a reward system.  I have always rewarded myself with food.  Think about it, don't you?  You get a raise, you go out to dinner to celebrate.  Your child brings home a good report card - ice cream.  We eat to reward ourselves.  

As a matter of fact, a friend of mine recently told me that the day she went on maintenance with Weight Watchers, she stopped and bought a hot fudge sundae.  How much sense does that make?  but really, wouldn't you do the same?

So, now I have to come up with a new reward system.  How do I reward myself without food.  Because really  "Great Job Katie - here's a carrot!"  Will just not cut it.

Anyone have any ideas?

And so it begins . . .

Hello everyone.  My name is Katie.  I was diagnosed about a year ago with type two diabetes, which I have spent the last year trying my best to both follow and ignore.

You start with the best of intentions, but then everything seems so overwhelming that you give up and revert to your old habits.  Okay, I know that is an excuse, but today is the day I begin to turn it around.

I am starting the new Dtour Diet by the kind folks at Prevention magazine.  It is a new diet and exercise regime for people with Diabetes. I  plan to follow the book and online program to the letter, with the support of my, friends, and anyone else out there who would like to follow along.  I do not have a chef, a personal trainer or a television show following me.  

I do have a wonderfully supportive husband, a hormonal 15 year old son who enjoys cooking and a whole group of friends and co-workers who are ready and willing to lend support.

I have a long way to go.  I took a good look at myself in the mirror this morning and determined that I resemble a beach ball with legs and arms.  Definitely not a good fashion statement!  

Why did I just tell you that?  Well, if this is going to work, I have to be totally transparent and face down all of my demons - eating them hasn't gotten me anywhere!  So here we go!

Day 1 - 

Weight - 259

Height - 4'8" (somehow I shrunk 2")

Waist - 48" - GULP!!

Blood sugar - 121 before breakfast (not so good.)