for "cheat"
Okay, the title may be a TAD melodramatic...
It's been just over a month and a half since I became buddies w/ good ol' family friend Betty. I think I've done quite well on my new diet...my #s have certainly supported that. I've leveled for the most part, in the 100-130 range (a far cry from the staggering #s the day of the diagnosis, and the figures from days immediately following it). But today, I had my first big "cheat" and the #s reflect that. I feel pretty bad.
I had my first minor cheat a couple of weeks ago. The other half and I went to a local casino for some bingo fun (yes, we're 80 year old women apparently). They have a snack shop w/in the bingo hall, and I decided to splurge and get a bacon cheeseburger; w/ bun. Now, I did opt for the veggies side dish, foregoing the obligatory french fries (they were the big, hearty steak fries I might add--not an easy thing to resist). It was all good, and my #s were barely effected. Truthfully. Well, later in the evening, after some fun slot play, we decided to attend the evening bingo session...last minute. The session began @ 7pm, and we got our cards @ about 6:50pm. Needless to say, we didn't have time to run to the snack bar, and the #s were being called on the first game (crazy how fast they call out the #s--especially to us newbies), so we just quickly ordered a meal (it was past my regular meal time, so I was getting a big un-focused and shaky)...and since we had no menus, we ordered the same things we had had for lunch earlier...bacon cheeseburgers. However, I went for the delish steak fries instead of the mixed veggies. So, it was a cheat as far as I was concerned, but again (even after TWO "bad" meals) my #s didn't really change much. So it was a cheat, but not a hair-raising, sugar-topping off, wacky "I'm hittin' the emergency room" situation. So I quickly forgave myself and enjoyed the steak fries. (Lots o' carbs).
Today was a new story. Today is the day that will forever mark my relationship w/ Betty as "tainted". It was a big cheat. A monumental cheat. But dammit, IT WAS GOOD.
We hit a sushi place near our beloved Target (we walked the mile to get there). Had some tempura calamari, a California roll, a cucumber roll and a Philadelphia roll. Not anything to really be concerned over. But then they brought the desert menu. Now, truth be told, my deserts of the past weeks have consisted of sugar-free Jello's, no sugar added puddings, bananas, apples, and the occasional smoothie from Cold Stone (I tried their no-sugar ice cream--bleccch!). None of this amounted to more than a couple of up-clicks on the ol' sugar meter.
But the desert menu @ the sushi place...it had a banana tempura w/ a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I found myself salivating over the photo, so I said "f*** it" and threw caution (and my tester) to the wind. I ordered it. I don't know if it was actually the BEST desert I ever had, or if I had just been so deprived (not that I'm FEELING deprived--truthfully) that it was monumentally good and ultimately memorable. I ate the whole damn thing. All of it. In the words of Ned Flanders, it was "scrumb-diddly-umptios."
But it's been 7 hours, and I am feeling a little buyer's remorse (for lack of a better word). I checked my #s @ dinner time (about 6pm), and they were pretty high...about 155. Not horrendous by any means, but definitely elevated. I really wasn't too concerned, and didn't get down on myself. Not a death sentence. But I just checked my #s before my bedtime snack. (BTW, dinner was a couple of sandwiches on whole wheat w/ some pickles--followed by a couple of handfuls of dry corn-bran cereal for desert). I don't know if it was just some crazy compounding, mathematical situation which my sugars were taking part in, but I was seeing 174 on my meter. Kind of a downer.
I'm trying to keep my guilt to a reasonable level...and to reserve final judgment once I see my #s in the morning before breakfast. If they've returned to "normal" levels, then I will breathe a sigh of relief, pop my pills and promise to never cheat again (until we return to the sushi place again--perhaps that will be my one and only cheat--return to Crazy Rock'n Sushi once a month for my cheat desert!) A tradition in uncontrolled sugar intake!
Well, that's my update about close friend Betty. She doesn't like it when I cheat, but I'm only human. I think writing this all out has made me feel better about the terrible sin committed here today.
Oh, BTW, we DID walk home from the place (and it's uphill on the way back) so we got to walk off a bit of the cheat.
For now, the GREAT SWEET CUT-OUT continues... (well, w/ a short breather today...)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Dia-Betty Update Part Two
Haven't checked in over here at THE GREAT SWEET CUT-OUT OF 2011 lately. Just too busy being diabetic I guess.
Wanted to share a few things which I've noticed since my diet changed.
First off, my blood sugar levels this evening proved that I had my first big cheat. We found some frozen toaster waffles which are better than the average bear, and some sugar-free syrup. By no means an uber-healthy choice, but better than previous sweets. My portion control was a little whack this evening, and so when I checked my sugars a bit ago, well over 200. Now, that's the highest it's been since my first week of diagnosis. Lesson learned? Portion control; even of "good for you" items is still a necessity. Good. Got it. Moving on.
The following items may fall under the category of TMI. That's 'TOO MUCH INFORMATION' for those of you who don't recognize such abbreviations. What's wrong w/ you? OMG! WTF! ;)
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
My general fondness for Rolaids (until they were taken off the shelf recently) and for Tums and their ilk has taken a sharp downturn. Not cuz I no longer appreciate their minty-freshness and calcium goodness, but cuz I no longer need them. I can't recall having had heartburn more than once or twice since my diet was forced to change. Saving a couple of bucks, and I'm not waking in a midnight panic cuz I binged on a bunch of junk food crap before bedtime and now had the sudden sensation of a spirited acid reflux. Have you had this happen before? Your body wakes you from a dead sleep, INSISTING that you sit up immediately as not to vomit stomach acid all over your sleeping partner? No? No one? Hmm. I think you're lying. Anyway...GONE. GONE. GONE. Nice.
My BM's (BOWEL MOVEMENTS for you slow-on-the-uptake folks) have basically found a regular daily pattern. Certainly the fact that I now eat at approximately the same time EVERY DAY, plus the fact that I'm eating a lot more fiber (veggies, fruits, grains, etc.), account for this wondrous new tradition. Right away in the morning, and rarely...a second time in the day. Frankly, my old diet had me going multiple times a day, involving SOUTH PARK's Kenny-type explosive diarrhea and the next day, "blowing-out-your-O-ring", painful pushing and shoving just to get a goat-turd. Don't blame me, people, I warned you! I haven't been this regular in at least 10 years, and I gotta say...it's underrated!
Next up on the TMI list...my sex drive seems to have taken on new heights. Feeling those urgings and yearnings more often than before. Too bad the other half's never around. Ha!
Headaches seem to be a thing of the past; for the most part. I still have the occasional one...mostly when I let my blood sugar drop too far (something I'm still VERY aware of, after TWO bouts w/ low numbers). Figured out that the big drops come after my first round of meds in the morning. Just have to be sure I have ample carbs for breakfast...in other words...I can have eggs, but a couple of pieces of toast to go w/ all that protein. I'm still learning here.
I don't know if it's some sort of placebo effect, but I truly feel more energized. I'm still exhausted when I get home from work, but I think that's just the work itself...on my feet all day.
Despite the additional energy surges I've been experiencing, I've still been lazy in several departments. 1) I've done absolutely nothing to move ahead in my writing career. 2) I have yet to use my doc's referral to see the podiatrist. 3) I have yet to get in touch w/ a dietician. It seems that even though my diet has changed drastically, my lack of motivation remains at an all time guilt-ridden low. Can't win 'em all I guess.
Overall, I think I'm doing a bang-up job, but that confirmation will have to wait until my next doctor visit.
My #s have been steadily dropping...some days they'll get back up there (never past 200 until tonight!), but in general, I think I'm in a pretty good place.
My sweet cravings have dwindled...although seeing baked goods (my MORTAL enemy) while perusing the store shelves, makes for some honest-to-God mouth watering.
The other half (God bless him) found me a three-portion box of SUGAR-FREE PEEPS (first brought to my attention by friend Vanessa). They definitely taste different, but still a perfect treat for this season.
Keep posted, as THE GREAT SWEET CUT-OUT OF 2011 continues...
Wanted to share a few things which I've noticed since my diet changed.
First off, my blood sugar levels this evening proved that I had my first big cheat. We found some frozen toaster waffles which are better than the average bear, and some sugar-free syrup. By no means an uber-healthy choice, but better than previous sweets. My portion control was a little whack this evening, and so when I checked my sugars a bit ago, well over 200. Now, that's the highest it's been since my first week of diagnosis. Lesson learned? Portion control; even of "good for you" items is still a necessity. Good. Got it. Moving on.
The following items may fall under the category of TMI. That's 'TOO MUCH INFORMATION' for those of you who don't recognize such abbreviations. What's wrong w/ you? OMG! WTF! ;)
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
My general fondness for Rolaids (until they were taken off the shelf recently) and for Tums and their ilk has taken a sharp downturn. Not cuz I no longer appreciate their minty-freshness and calcium goodness, but cuz I no longer need them. I can't recall having had heartburn more than once or twice since my diet was forced to change. Saving a couple of bucks, and I'm not waking in a midnight panic cuz I binged on a bunch of junk food crap before bedtime and now had the sudden sensation of a spirited acid reflux. Have you had this happen before? Your body wakes you from a dead sleep, INSISTING that you sit up immediately as not to vomit stomach acid all over your sleeping partner? No? No one? Hmm. I think you're lying. Anyway...GONE. GONE. GONE. Nice.
My BM's (BOWEL MOVEMENTS for you slow-on-the-uptake folks) have basically found a regular daily pattern. Certainly the fact that I now eat at approximately the same time EVERY DAY, plus the fact that I'm eating a lot more fiber (veggies, fruits, grains, etc.), account for this wondrous new tradition. Right away in the morning, and rarely...a second time in the day. Frankly, my old diet had me going multiple times a day, involving SOUTH PARK's Kenny-type explosive diarrhea and the next day, "blowing-out-your-O-ring", painful pushing and shoving just to get a goat-turd. Don't blame me, people, I warned you! I haven't been this regular in at least 10 years, and I gotta say...it's underrated!
Next up on the TMI list...my sex drive seems to have taken on new heights. Feeling those urgings and yearnings more often than before. Too bad the other half's never around. Ha!
Headaches seem to be a thing of the past; for the most part. I still have the occasional one...mostly when I let my blood sugar drop too far (something I'm still VERY aware of, after TWO bouts w/ low numbers). Figured out that the big drops come after my first round of meds in the morning. Just have to be sure I have ample carbs for breakfast...in other words...I can have eggs, but a couple of pieces of toast to go w/ all that protein. I'm still learning here.
I don't know if it's some sort of placebo effect, but I truly feel more energized. I'm still exhausted when I get home from work, but I think that's just the work itself...on my feet all day.
Despite the additional energy surges I've been experiencing, I've still been lazy in several departments. 1) I've done absolutely nothing to move ahead in my writing career. 2) I have yet to use my doc's referral to see the podiatrist. 3) I have yet to get in touch w/ a dietician. It seems that even though my diet has changed drastically, my lack of motivation remains at an all time guilt-ridden low. Can't win 'em all I guess.
Overall, I think I'm doing a bang-up job, but that confirmation will have to wait until my next doctor visit.
My #s have been steadily dropping...some days they'll get back up there (never past 200 until tonight!), but in general, I think I'm in a pretty good place.
My sweet cravings have dwindled...although seeing baked goods (my MORTAL enemy) while perusing the store shelves, makes for some honest-to-God mouth watering.
The other half (God bless him) found me a three-portion box of SUGAR-FREE PEEPS (first brought to my attention by friend Vanessa). They definitely taste different, but still a perfect treat for this season.
Keep posted, as THE GREAT SWEET CUT-OUT OF 2011 continues...
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