A little over a month ago I got diagnosed with pre-diabetes. What does this mean? I means I don't have Diabetes but my body isn't digesting sugar as well as it should and if I'm not careful I will have diabetes. I know lots of you are thinking "well get off your fat butt" The media has really emphasised the growing cases of diabetes in our culture and connected it solely to the growing waist bands but there are a few more things that contribute to the disease.
Here are some of the risk factors for diabetes. If you have 3 or more you should be concerned.
1. Diabetes is genetic. You need the gene to get the disease. There are people out there that can sit on their butt and eat junk food all day long and never get diabetes. If you have a parent, sibling or even an aunt or uncle who has diabetes you may also carry the gene. In my case I have uncles on both sides of my family with the disease and with my pre-diagnosis my brothers and children can now check this one off as a risk factor.
2. Being overweight is a risk. This is one of my risk factors however my admiting this on line is by no means an invitation for you to comment on it, become my diet police or sign me up for the biggest loser (which by the way I don't weigh enough to get on anyways). Until you have walked in my shoes for a day or even a week you have no right to comment. You have no idea what I have done or not done to get my weight under control and I would appreciate it if you would hold judgement and especially your comments.
3. Having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is also another factor. I also have this. One of the side effects to this syndrome is difficulty to lose weight.
4. Gestational diabetes. I had two cases of untreated gestational diabetes. All of the symptoms were present but I didn't have the glaring blood work that would put me into treatment. Hence untreated. Women with gestational diabetes often get diabetes and often get it 10 years earlier than most people do. I believe this is why I am talking about diabetes at 34 instead of 44.
Those are my risk factors but here are some more (this list is not exhaustive):
5. Giving birth to babies over 9 lbs.
6. Being Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian or African decent
7. Being inactive
8. Having high cholesteral and/or blood pressure
Here are some of the symptoms to watch for:
1. always feeling thirsty
2. always urinating
3. often feeling tired
4. have blurry vision
5. lose weight without trying
6. have cuts that take a long time to heal
So, what does this mean for me? If I want to continue to live my life drug free and not have to poke my finger 5 times a day than some things are changing. Here is a list of foods I am limiting (again I am monitoring my own diet so if you see me eating it keep in mind the word limiting however don't expect me to eat it if you put it out) white sugar, brown sugar, icing sugar, jam, jelly, marmalade, molasses, syrups, honey, regular soft drinks, fruit drinks, punches, juices, iced tea, syrup, candy, choclate, marshmallows, fried foods, fatty meats, sauces and gravies, regular fruit flavored yogurt, baked goods like pies, cakes, donuts and muffins.
My plate is half vegetables and contains at least two different kinds of vegetables for every lunch and supper. Potatoes and corn do not count as vegetables; they are a starch. I only eat one serving of fruit per meal. Every day I have a least one dark green and one orange vegetable. I am working towards being completely whole wheat and only have a max. of a cup and a half of starch per meal. I try to have a least 3 food groups at every meal and eat every 4-6 hours. I do not skip meals or put them off for large periods of time without a snack to keep my sugars up. (ie. Christmas dinner at 3 pm)
I am exercising a lot. Exercise lowers your blood sugar. The trick is to not let your sugars get too high and also not let them get too low. It's a balancing act. If you would like to invite me over, please do. If you are unsure or uncomfortable, I am don't mind bringing my own vegetables or drinks; as long as your not insulted by it.
So I am still learning. I still have some things to sort out, some weight to lose, more doctors to see, and a few more classes to go to. I might keep your posted or I might not. Some people like to keep their health privite. I tend to lean that way but I felt like some of this needed to be said.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
It was an Adventure Part II
I love tenting. I love tenting because I love waking up to fresh air all around me. I don't like RVing because they are too hot at night and I hate cooking in them and the floor is hard to keep clean in them. After packing all the stuff up I must admit the number one reason I might concede to RVing is that it is easier to pack all the stuff but I would still prefer the tent.
We arrive at the campground, say hi to everyone and then proceed to set up our tent. I love our tent. I'm very proud of our tent. It weighs 5.5 lbs, polls included. Not only is it light but it is very easy to set up. We bought it for backcountry and it is rated for three seasons. I love our tent. We have everything set up in minutes and start getting the kids ready for bed. Tesla is sleeping in the trailer with Grandma and Anna is sleeping in the tent with us. She is really excited to use a sleeping bag, until she realizes we mean for her to sleep. Rule number one. When someone is trying to put a crying overtired child to bed do not come over to the tent and wait for a quiet moment to ask if you need any help. Anna cried and cried. She was so overtired and in a different place and we tried everything. I would just get her quieted down and a truck who roar through the campground or a friendly would come over to help and she would start up all over again. We lost track of time but we figure it was 3 hours of crying. She finally went to sleep.
Saturday morning was overcast and cold. Grandma had her heart set on taking our kids to the beach. That was the whole reason we came this far. So no matter how cold or windy it was we were going. Admittedly the girls enjoyed the sand and had a good time. We had enough clothing for them (because I packed prepared) to be able to enjoy themselves. We had a snacky lunch on the beach and I got some great pictures of the girls playing. Definitely a highlight for me even if the wind was a bit much.
We had supper, showers and got the girls ready for bed. Anna, bless her heart went right to sleep. A late night, early morning, no nap and off to bed we go. Probably the best thing that ever happened. It started to rain at 9 pm. The wind was still blowing. The wind was strong enough to make the tent concave on one side. We decided to go to bed incase Anna woke up scared in the storm.
The storm was really bad. The tent was almost sideways. My nose almost touched the roof. One of the fly pegs let go and we decided to move the truck infront of the tent to block the wind. The people in the other tent decided to sleep in a trailer since their tent had already blown down the road. We got pressured to move to a trailer too but declined. Anna was sleeping through all of this. Our tent was dry. The truck was doing a good job at blocking the wind. If we were wet it might have been another story but we weren't going to risk moving Anna and having a repeat of the night before. What do they say: Never wake a sleeping baby. Besides our sleeping bags would get all wet in the move. Did I mention I love our tent?
Karl said the next morning he didn't want to move because he didn't want to sleep in a trailer with 6 people. He has been telling me for months now that he doesn't like people. I think he really means he doesn't like crowds.
We did need to dry out the fly but other than that we were dry. I can't say the same for our farmer's field campground. It was mud. The grass hadn't really come in between the gravel stalls. Did I mention this campground didn't have picnic tables?
So we dried off our tent fly, packed up our stuff, had some breakfast, had the truck boosted and we were off. Karl had decided to listen to the radio with the truck doors open while we packed up. Once we went camping and the people beside us played Polka music from sun up to sun down. We weren't that bad. It was CBC and we turned it on just before 8 and the truck battery died before we left at 930. Definitely not that bad. And we were off on an other adventure... to the Calgary Stampede for a quick Doodlebop concert. They were only playing one day otherwise this adventure would have taken us home.
We arrive at the campground, say hi to everyone and then proceed to set up our tent. I love our tent. I'm very proud of our tent. It weighs 5.5 lbs, polls included. Not only is it light but it is very easy to set up. We bought it for backcountry and it is rated for three seasons. I love our tent. We have everything set up in minutes and start getting the kids ready for bed. Tesla is sleeping in the trailer with Grandma and Anna is sleeping in the tent with us. She is really excited to use a sleeping bag, until she realizes we mean for her to sleep. Rule number one. When someone is trying to put a crying overtired child to bed do not come over to the tent and wait for a quiet moment to ask if you need any help. Anna cried and cried. She was so overtired and in a different place and we tried everything. I would just get her quieted down and a truck who roar through the campground or a friendly would come over to help and she would start up all over again. We lost track of time but we figure it was 3 hours of crying. She finally went to sleep.
Saturday morning was overcast and cold. Grandma had her heart set on taking our kids to the beach. That was the whole reason we came this far. So no matter how cold or windy it was we were going. Admittedly the girls enjoyed the sand and had a good time. We had enough clothing for them (because I packed prepared) to be able to enjoy themselves. We had a snacky lunch on the beach and I got some great pictures of the girls playing. Definitely a highlight for me even if the wind was a bit much.
We had supper, showers and got the girls ready for bed. Anna, bless her heart went right to sleep. A late night, early morning, no nap and off to bed we go. Probably the best thing that ever happened. It started to rain at 9 pm. The wind was still blowing. The wind was strong enough to make the tent concave on one side. We decided to go to bed incase Anna woke up scared in the storm.
The storm was really bad. The tent was almost sideways. My nose almost touched the roof. One of the fly pegs let go and we decided to move the truck infront of the tent to block the wind. The people in the other tent decided to sleep in a trailer since their tent had already blown down the road. We got pressured to move to a trailer too but declined. Anna was sleeping through all of this. Our tent was dry. The truck was doing a good job at blocking the wind. If we were wet it might have been another story but we weren't going to risk moving Anna and having a repeat of the night before. What do they say: Never wake a sleeping baby. Besides our sleeping bags would get all wet in the move. Did I mention I love our tent?
Karl said the next morning he didn't want to move because he didn't want to sleep in a trailer with 6 people. He has been telling me for months now that he doesn't like people. I think he really means he doesn't like crowds.
We did need to dry out the fly but other than that we were dry. I can't say the same for our farmer's field campground. It was mud. The grass hadn't really come in between the gravel stalls. Did I mention this campground didn't have picnic tables?
So we dried off our tent fly, packed up our stuff, had some breakfast, had the truck boosted and we were off. Karl had decided to listen to the radio with the truck doors open while we packed up. Once we went camping and the people beside us played Polka music from sun up to sun down. We weren't that bad. It was CBC and we turned it on just before 8 and the truck battery died before we left at 930. Definitely not that bad. And we were off on an other adventure... to the Calgary Stampede for a quick Doodlebop concert. They were only playing one day otherwise this adventure would have taken us home.
It was an Adventure
Last summer my MIL called us to tell us about this wonderful campground she found just outside Hanna, AB. She had been driving by and stopped to take a look. It sounded great. Large stalls and a great beach with a playground. She brought up the campground again in November with the hopes we would be able to join her there on July 1st. It came up a number of times throughout the year. Finally, when the campground registration opened up we were willing to commit.
However, my MIL was having a terrible time getting through to the campground to make the reservation. A distant relative who lived in the area recommended a different campground which was just down the road, that was a lot better. The reservations were made without any troubles and Aunts and Uncles were invited to join us. It was going to be a great weekend of camping, and family and even a friend or two.
For two days I packed. I packed the usual camping stuff but for 4 people it takes time to get all the sleeping bags, mattresses, camp stoves, food etc together. Not to mention the clothes. I pack for all weather. If you have ever been camping and it snows or your kids get so cold that they just cry, then you know... pack for everything. I remembered the mitts this time, so we wouldn't have to use socks on the kids cold hands every morning.
We left after Karl got home from work. He figured that it would be a 3.5 hour drive and of course we are going through dinosaur country which is a hugh part of our 4 year olds daily discussion right now. I realize that visiting the Tyrell museum was a bit unrealistic but boy do I like to please my kids when it's as easy as making time to look at dinosaur bones. Alas it was not to be. She asked if we could go today. And she will probably continue to ask at least twice a week for ... forever.
Back to the road trip. We just drive through Drumheller when Tesla says "I have to go to the bathroom." Her timing is always 5 minutes out the other side of town. And we both say in stereo "Why didn't you say you had to go when we asked?" We are just gearing up into "Well you're just going to have to go on the side of the road," when I spot the sign for a rest stop. What a lovely surprise. Right beside the parking lot is the HooDoo's and you can climb on them and around them. And I say to Karl. "Let's take a minute and go look" And he says "We still have an hour's drive and it's already 8pm. I'd really like to get the tent up before dark." Here is the picture I took from the parking lot.
My Mom has been to the Grand Canyon twice. Once with her parents and once as a parent, yet both experiences are the same. We pulled into the Grand Canyon at 10 pm, just as the sun was setting. We were doing this crazy 17 day road trip that included Disneyland and Texas and a family reunion in Oklahoma. Why not include the Grand Canyon? We all got out of the car and took a look. Commented on how beautiful it was then decided we would come back in the morning for a better look and pictures. We still needed to find a hotel for the night. 2 hours later and hundred kilometers away we found that hotel. We never did turn around to get the better look or the pictures; it was too far to back track.
Pulling out of the HooDoo's felt a lot like the Grand Canyon. I can't help but wonder why we are in such a hurry sometimes. Isn't one of the reasons for taking a road trip to stop and see the scenery? But when you are trying to get to a certain place or meet up with certain people the scenery often gets compromised. Right there and then I decided that when we go on holiday's this summer we are stopping a little more often and taking a little more time to enjoy what we can.
When we come up out of the valley this is what we see. Flat land. Flatter than Saskatchewan. Drier than dry. And I say to Karl "Wow this is flat. I think it's flatter than Saskatchewan. Do you like this landscape. Do you think we are camping in a farmer's field?" To which Karl says "I don't mind it. This is what I grew up on." NO. No, this is not was he grew up on. There are trees and rolling hills where he grew up. I don't see any trees or rolling hills. In fact, I don't see anything.
I have many pictures to go with this one, because I already know that I'm going to be blogging, because I already know that we are probably camping in a farmer's field and that there might, fingers crossed, be some planted trees in the campground and that this is an adventure. All week long I have been working really hard to keep my attitude in check and while this may read critical it's really not. In my mind at this moment in time I am thinking realistic thoughts with a postive "it's an adventure" spin on it.
But I am also thinking that I grew up camping in the forest and when I think of camping I always picture trees. A lot of trees. We drove to the Yukon almost every summer as kids. The road to the Yukon provides a great view of trees. I've heard some people find forests crowded almost sufficating and at this moment in my thoughts I come to the conclusion that this may infact be the case with my husbands family; I don't remember ever camping in the forest with them; well except Karl who likes to drive forever to the OLD MAN which I can wait to comment on another day.
And there it is. We come over a little hill and see the campground and I laugh. I laugh because I knew it. An RV park in a farmer's field.
However, my MIL was having a terrible time getting through to the campground to make the reservation. A distant relative who lived in the area recommended a different campground which was just down the road, that was a lot better. The reservations were made without any troubles and Aunts and Uncles were invited to join us. It was going to be a great weekend of camping, and family and even a friend or two.
For two days I packed. I packed the usual camping stuff but for 4 people it takes time to get all the sleeping bags, mattresses, camp stoves, food etc together. Not to mention the clothes. I pack for all weather. If you have ever been camping and it snows or your kids get so cold that they just cry, then you know... pack for everything. I remembered the mitts this time, so we wouldn't have to use socks on the kids cold hands every morning.
We left after Karl got home from work. He figured that it would be a 3.5 hour drive and of course we are going through dinosaur country which is a hugh part of our 4 year olds daily discussion right now. I realize that visiting the Tyrell museum was a bit unrealistic but boy do I like to please my kids when it's as easy as making time to look at dinosaur bones. Alas it was not to be. She asked if we could go today. And she will probably continue to ask at least twice a week for ... forever.
Back to the road trip. We just drive through Drumheller when Tesla says "I have to go to the bathroom." Her timing is always 5 minutes out the other side of town. And we both say in stereo "Why didn't you say you had to go when we asked?" We are just gearing up into "Well you're just going to have to go on the side of the road," when I spot the sign for a rest stop. What a lovely surprise. Right beside the parking lot is the HooDoo's and you can climb on them and around them. And I say to Karl. "Let's take a minute and go look" And he says "We still have an hour's drive and it's already 8pm. I'd really like to get the tent up before dark." Here is the picture I took from the parking lot.
My Mom has been to the Grand Canyon twice. Once with her parents and once as a parent, yet both experiences are the same. We pulled into the Grand Canyon at 10 pm, just as the sun was setting. We were doing this crazy 17 day road trip that included Disneyland and Texas and a family reunion in Oklahoma. Why not include the Grand Canyon? We all got out of the car and took a look. Commented on how beautiful it was then decided we would come back in the morning for a better look and pictures. We still needed to find a hotel for the night. 2 hours later and hundred kilometers away we found that hotel. We never did turn around to get the better look or the pictures; it was too far to back track.
Pulling out of the HooDoo's felt a lot like the Grand Canyon. I can't help but wonder why we are in such a hurry sometimes. Isn't one of the reasons for taking a road trip to stop and see the scenery? But when you are trying to get to a certain place or meet up with certain people the scenery often gets compromised. Right there and then I decided that when we go on holiday's this summer we are stopping a little more often and taking a little more time to enjoy what we can.
When we come up out of the valley this is what we see. Flat land. Flatter than Saskatchewan. Drier than dry. And I say to Karl "Wow this is flat. I think it's flatter than Saskatchewan. Do you like this landscape. Do you think we are camping in a farmer's field?" To which Karl says "I don't mind it. This is what I grew up on." NO. No, this is not was he grew up on. There are trees and rolling hills where he grew up. I don't see any trees or rolling hills. In fact, I don't see anything.
I have many pictures to go with this one, because I already know that I'm going to be blogging, because I already know that we are probably camping in a farmer's field and that there might, fingers crossed, be some planted trees in the campground and that this is an adventure. All week long I have been working really hard to keep my attitude in check and while this may read critical it's really not. In my mind at this moment in time I am thinking realistic thoughts with a postive "it's an adventure" spin on it.
But I am also thinking that I grew up camping in the forest and when I think of camping I always picture trees. A lot of trees. We drove to the Yukon almost every summer as kids. The road to the Yukon provides a great view of trees. I've heard some people find forests crowded almost sufficating and at this moment in my thoughts I come to the conclusion that this may infact be the case with my husbands family; I don't remember ever camping in the forest with them; well except Karl who likes to drive forever to the OLD MAN which I can wait to comment on another day.
We turn the corner and there is the sign. Did I mention this recommended campground is on a Golf Course? I still don't see anything. I mean I don't see ANYTHING. Did we really drive for 3.5 hours for a flat farmer's field?
And there it is. We come over a little hill and see the campground and I laugh. I laugh because I knew it. An RV park in a farmer's field.
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