I had (am having?) a great holiday season.
It is a bit hard during the holidays (I think it is for anyone who has lost someone), but overall I’m feeling good.
I have been eating a TON of EVERYTHING though. A ton. Of everything.
My blood sugars have been alright, and if anything running almost too low. I have been routinely over estimating the carbs on everything and taking lots of insulin. Then I run low a bit later and have to eat more, then rebound too high, take more insulin, you know how it goes. It’s a scary cycle, and I swear to myself every time that I’m going to be more careful next time. It hasn’t really worked out for me.
With a couple weeks off work I’ve also not been playing my basketball, or getting much of any kind of exercise at all. Just lots of eating and being lazy. On one hand it has been fabulous. But on the other hand I’m feeling hella guilty about it, and am worried about not “snapping out of it” once real life (i.e. work) picks back up again.
I think there is a very delicate balance here, fighting the urge to jump right into some obsessive perfectionist trap, and instead being gentle and forgiving with myself. Easier said than done (like much that is living with diabetes), I know, but I’m sure going to try.
Move to FL and hang out with our crazy asses. We’ll keep you in check!
As stated by the entire DOC above, we all relate! New Year! New choices. Back on the wagon. And life totally isn’t worth living without a little holiday eating…. eggnog and peanut butter blossoms must be eaten.
Scott, I’ve been doing the same. And winter time makes it harder for me to exercise (or that’s the excuse I give).
I like the holidays for time spent with family or for celebrating the occasion in question, I hate them for the food and all the challenges that it brings.
Dude, it’s really ok to play basketball when you are off work. 😉
Seriously though, I know what you mean about letting things go a bit wild foodwise. At least you are really TRYING HARD to cover yourself. But, isn’t it true that the higher you carb it, the greater the margin for error and the more we see these low-high cycles?
I have been bg swingin’ a bit lately myslef and (with a 7-day meter average of 170) am trying to reel it in again. For me, the key is increasing exercise. Doing so, really forces more attention on the food so I don’t go low out there.
Want to join me?
The pump is a glorious thing except for the ease of being able to bolus for every indulgence. I’m trying to watch it between the festivities by stocking the fridge with stuff to make salads, but when I wash my salad down with Christmas cookies, that doesn’t help too much. At least there won’t be anymore parties after Wednesday night. When I find myself wandering into the kitchen looking for food just because I know it’s there, not because I’m legitimately hungry, I try to find some other activity to keep myself busy – writing – art, shooting zombies. Nothing that qualifies as exercise, but at least I’m eating fewer cookies.
Try not to be so hard on yourself (isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?? LOL), and keep in mind this is all temporary. Soon enough you’ll be back to your regular routine.
I am soooo with you on this, plus the cold crappy weather does not help.
I will say one thing about hubby being out of town, I have no desire to eat. Sooooo you could be lonely and worried and you would not eat, not!!!! Not a good alternative.
You are doing great Scott, diabetes is soooo NOT an exact science and everyday is differet.
Thanks for posting so that we all feel not alone with this disease.
im blaming it all on the weather here!!!its ok because you can see that you are doing it.its when you cant see it that problems arise.
I totally relate—heck, don’t we all? Don’t worry about snapping back–life has a way of making us do that, anyway, so no worries there!
I love the quote zazzy gave to you-it’s one of my favorites and applicable here, too.
Thanks for your candor and honesty, as usual. Be well and go easy on yourself!
I cannot count the number of times I have EXCEEDED MAXIMUM BOLUS. Always an over estimation. Always going low. Always over treating. Always mad at myself.
I feel you man. As usual.
Be gentle with yourself and find your balance. It’s not about perfection – it’s about finding (I’m quoting Stanford here now) the real, not the ideal. I really liked the goal setting in the Stanford group – realistic goals instead of the crazy impossible ones.
Scotty J –
Forgive yourself! The holidays are crazy – diabetes or not – 98% of the population is “lazy” regarding their diet between Thanksgiving and New Years.
Your aware of what’s going on and you WILL get back on track.
Do me a favor and please remember what a great guy you are, and how your words make the D.O.C. an even better place to be!
k2