pcdebb gets healthy?

Hmmmm

2011-12-30T23:01:00.001-05:00

Letd start over. Again.

feelin good

2009-04-30T18:12:00.003-04:00

so today I was off and decided to play raquetball today. my brother keeps giving lame excuses, such as "i dont like indoor courts". wuss. well, needless to say it was interesting trying to climb 3 flights of stairs back to my place. a cold glass of water and i feel nice.

For the first time in a long time my A1C was down. While 8.6 is still high, it's down from the 10.7 it was. Still waiting on my cholesterol numbers as that was pretty high as well. I still hav a long way to go but I'm getting there!

Checking in

2008-10-27T23:39:00.002-04:00

I've had a couple of people ask me why I don't post to my blogspot. I have a few reasons for that, but to sum it up, i've been preoccupied with things. I slacked off a little on my working out. Not totally but hadn't been going everyday. Then I lost my job (like everyone else) so that was a bill that I unfortunately had to put at the end of the list. I've since moved to a community that has a very nice gym, including an indoor raquetball court. Once my muscles stop hurting from the move I will be embarking on that journey. It has everything the other gym had, but has a little more privacy of sorts.

Everything else with my health has been a see-saw effect. Some days are good, some days are a challenge, but nothing really terrible. I think I have another bone spur growning on a toe, and another toe may have a cyst in it (it's quite painful). I have a jacuzzi here, so i can bubble all my pains away now :)

So to my lurkers, all is well. I promise to try and blog more often.

Feeling good!

2008-05-06T20:05:00.000-04:00

So I've been working hard the last week. I've gone to the gym everyday, taking a break for the weekend (unless you want to count washing and detailing my car, that was a FULL workout). I decided to start slow and not overdue it, and not have immediate expectations. I think that was my downfall in the past. I do about 45 minutes of cardio on the treadmill, yesterday I started with 10 minutes on the elliptical. That was the longest 10 minutes I've had to deal with so far. Today I got a tour of the machines, and some target training with some emphasis on abs. It's wierd. Lately I would stay at work late, but now I'm ready to get out of there and head to the gym, I really look forward to it everyday, even tho every piece of me is aching.

Right now a hot soaking bath and a bowl of fruit sounds good :)

There's no excuse

2008-04-30T21:04:00.004-04:00

Kind of. I never left. I made a decision today. I had no excuses and had a funny feeling. So today I joined a gym. I pass it every single day going to work, there's no excuse. I pass it every single day going home, there's no excuse. It's a few blocks from my house, there's no excuse. Still battling my diabetes and high blood pressure, it's been years, really...there's no excuse. I saw my doctor on Monday, and she basically looked me in the eye and said, unless I want a long relationship with her I need to do something about it. You'd think I have all the demotivators in the world to get me to do what I have to do. I've been battling my nicotine addiction and having the urge to quit for a long time, and to think i'd save $120 a month give or take, i'd quit immediately. Easier said than done. I'm gonna be bitchy for a week at least. I'm not buying anymore, and I honestly mean it this time. Getting over this touch of bronchitis was hard this time, and I full well know why. My throat and lungs burned but I still lit up! I got a class reunion coming up in October, and I'll be damed if I'm in the crowd of classmates that added pounds over the ** years.

I took a picture of myself, front and side view. I see myself in the mirror, but I can easily look away quickly. I printed three copies of the picture, one on each bathroom door and one in the kitchen. I dont have an eating problem per se, I dont pig out, it's the content. Plus its harder for me anyway because I have to watch what goes in on account of the diabetes. I just have to be smarter and be a little disciplined. When you are pinching pennies on the grocery bill, it's hard to keep it healthy sometimes. I wont have to worry about using gas as an excuse to not go to the gym, it's right up the block from me, literally. When I'm really feeling good, I can start just walking there.

Dear Lord, help me thru this epiphany, i want to COMPLETE it this time!

Better times

2007-11-03T12:23:00.000-04:00

It's been a while, but that's because there hasnt been too much change. Things arent terribly better but they arent worse either. I'm on a hiatus with doctor visits right now because i'm not on any medical coverage at the moment. Before that ran out, I stocked up on my insulins, and the pills I take for my blood pressure and diabetes, I can get from Wal-mart for $4. My current job I'm working as a temp, with the hopes of going on the company's payroll. With God's will when that happens, the first appointment I'm making is the neurologist. I ran out of the meds that she had me on and the headaches came back like never before. I took a chance and called the office and explained my situation and they gladly provided me with more samples, three bottles worth to keep me going. So while it keeps my headaches at bay, that means its keeping something else at bay. I did some searching and the meds are mainly to treat seizures and severe migraines (that lead to seizures) that cause strokes. My blood pressure has been fine. My sugars has been hard to control sometimes. I'm starting to believe it doesnt matter what I eat it affects my sugars. I dont even feel the needle anymore.

Altho I still have some feet problems sometimes, I've started walking on my lunch hour. I walk the perimeter of the parking garage with a coworker. I used to do it with a cigarette, but I found that wasnt a good combination. So during my lunch hour I dont smoke. That helps! Then I started parking on the third level and taking the stairs. I work on the 5th floor.....but not ready to take those stairs yet lol.

I'm still alive and kicking. Just going thru the day-to-day for now. The holidays are coming and there's alot to do. With the little changes I"m working on, I hope to eliminate on of my meds by the turn of the new year. We'll see!

Getting Better

2007-09-08T01:02:00.000-04:00

Well it seems the new regimen is starting to work a little. I'm really starting to notice every single thing affects my blood sugars. So I've learned to stay away from fast food. And because of it, my recent doctor visit told me I lost 8 pounds!! I dont know where they went (sure as hell cant see it in the mirror) but it's a motivator. Sometimes my sugars are a bit elevated, but the overall average is lower. My doctors are happier. The medicine my neurologist has me taking has helped with my headaches as well. I dont have them everyday. Every now and then I may get one from maybe a hard or stressful day. I still have to focus harder on what I'm eating and how I eat. I've never really been into eating fish, but my doctor recommended eating it more, salmon specifically so it's something I'm going to give a shot.

Focus!

More issues

2007-08-22T19:21:00.000-04:00

It's been a whole month since posting and I should be ashamed of myself! I've actually been trying to not think about some things, and focusing a little harder on other things, going on with life trying to keep up.

A few weeks or so ago, I went to see a neurologist. Been having some terrible headaches that have some wierd symptoms such as confusion and memory loss. Was sent for an MRI and recently an EEG. According to my doc, she states there seems to be some "tissue loss" or "tissue damage" suggesting I had a stroke some time in the not-so-distance past. I believe her. Some things I forget I know I shouldnt be forgetting. Simple things that I know the answers to. Sometimes someone can explain something to me. Usually I'll absorb it quickly and run with it, but lately it's like i'm slamming into a wall and have a WTF feeling of "ok what does it mean that you are saying". Very worrying. I truly believe it's stress related. I'm being medicated for the headaches, and I've actually been free of the daily problems for a while, still some confusion here and there. When I get stressed is really when I just can't comprehend. It's getting better, but not 100% yet.

Today I saw an endocrinologist. My diabetes has not been under control for months. And thanks to my PCP staff scheduling me for days that my doctor is NOT in the office, I havent been able to see her in almost two months. I take two pills and insulin and my blood sugar is still averaging 350 all day. The insulin does nothing for me anymore. So now, one of my pills is discontinued, one has been increased, and i'm on two NEW different insulins. About to take one now, and the other before I goto bed. I hope I don't wake up dead in the morning.

The exercise routine is slow. I was actually walking around my building at lunchtime, but it's scorching hot these days. Record-setting hot days. I've decided not to pay someone almost $500 a year for something I can do for free, and I can enjoy the outdoors at the same time (provided the above conditions arent happening). I still have to pick up a treadmill from a co-worker that she has for me. Neither of our cars is big enough and my brother (after promising to do it) has come up with ever excuse in the book to not get it for me. I started doing situps everynite tho, altho it's only 10 at this point, it feels like I'm doing 100!!

Once I get all these doctors out of the way and I fully know how battered and bruised my system is, I think I can really focus on a better routine for things. Right now, I have a needle to deal with. :-(

I hurt

2007-07-19T22:48:00.000-04:00

So today I checked out a gym that has a special going on. Talk to this hunk of a young man about joining, and with a little wink and a smile I got to do a workout to test things out. Well, I didnt wink but still. I have to tell you, after being on that bike for only like 2 minutes, I was ready to end the workout. I got a looooooong way to go! This gym has a special on their 24 hour access, but I dont know if I want to be in that hood at 3am on a treadmill. I"d be too whipped to run away from anyone. I feel like an ass when Lifestyles had the whole month of July to workout for free. I just wish it was more in my area of town. I"m gonna make an effort to go this weekend and get at least a couple of weeks of free time to really make the sacrafice work. Matter of fact I think I can use a corporate discount to get in there.

My mother just fussed at me.

Mom: You have a DVD player dont you?
Me: Ummm, oh yea I forgot about that, with DVR and such.
Mom: wtf is aDVR?
Me: Mom, step into the 07, you have one in your room, your show probably has recorded hours for you.
Mom: (excited) And I've been bored all this time!!?! I could have been watching my Deal or No Deal!!!
Me: Mom calm down. Why did you ask me about my DVD player?
Mom: You've been talking about exercising more. Your brother is too lazy to go play raquetball with you, dont sit around waiting for him. You have exercise stuff you can watch on DVD dont you? I bought that Billy Blanks dvd for you, remember?
Me: (light bulb on), oh yea, but I have to move all the furniture out of the room, I dont want to be kicking lamps and stuff around.
Mom: It's up to you if you want to do this. You have the resources. And you went on and on about that elliptical trainer machine you saw last week. Why wait?

And she's right. I dont need equipment to do situps. A good friend of mine had a ritual of doing them everynight before showering and every morning after waking up. Of course I may start with around 10 situps. Yea I'm a wuss right now. But it sounds like a good idea. So with that, I'll TTYL!

Slow going

2007-07-18T19:33:00.000-04:00

So it's been almost two weeks since my "new start". It's been off to a slow start. I've had alot going on all around really. I sort of fell off the wagon, but i'm still keeping up with it, trying to jump back on. I've scaled myself back gradually. I've timed myself between smokes. I started out with two hour breaks. At work this is fine, but at home its torture. Once that got easy i spaced the breaks out more. I'm up to a cigarette no less than three hours apart. This weekend I will move up to four. I have to say that's been working. I've kept myself busy too. A company nextdoor to my job is leaving, and they have been tossing out furniture left and right. I copped a couple of nice desks, but everyone else snatched up the chairs. Man I wish they would have given the computers away, but instead they had a computer recycling company take them.

Anyways, the cigarette thing is slowly working. Cant say the same for everything else. My blood pressure has been level, however I've been having headaches almost on a daily basis. Sometimes they are so bad I feel like I'm "stuck on stupid". Today was a little scary and my manager noticed. I was walking in circles because I forgot what I was doing as soon as I stood up from my station. Truly screwed up a very simple transaction. What's worse I"ve been trying to see my primary doctor for a month, but I've been cancelled three times (the lastest? she was out of town. why did you schedule me then?). I see a neurologist next week and an endocrinologist next month. Lately my right ankle has been bothering me, but when people look, they say my LEFT ankle looks swollen. Ok?? And I've just noticed I have a twinge in my wrist again. That aint gonna be pretty. I've had surgery, now what? My vision is bothering me, even WITH the glasses, so for now, I've stopped doing the timolol eye drops. That seems to make things more blurry.

I checked out a few gyms. I really like Lifestyles, but from where they're located, where I live and where I work, it's really out of the way. The one that is most convenient is a bit smaller and less equipment. I may end up going for Lifestyles in the end tho. I feel it would be worth the sacrafice. Only problem is, if I do anything that makes my heart work harder, my concern for the constant headaches come back. My body is all broken. I need to trade this thing in for a new model, after all, in the car world I would be considered an antique :-( (keep in mind, some states consider an antique car at 20 years lol). Gonna relax now and figure out my next move....

This is gonna be harder than I thought

2007-07-08T14:41:00.000-04:00

So I've started my day. Been getting all my birthday greetings by web, email and phone, and mom wants me to come over for a while. Wonder why? :) I decided to sleep in but it's time to go outside. I'm struggling already and wanting nicotine real bad. Really REALLY bad. I think maybe I need to do the slow down method or something.

Man, i'm leaning off the side of the wagon already :-(

Greetings

2007-07-08T01:59:00.000-04:00

Firstly, I'd like to say Happy Birthday to myself. While I won't divulge my age, all that's important is that I'm old enough ;) Today I'm going to attempt to implement some changes in my life. Namely, my health. I've got some issues I need to deal with once and for all.

My diabetes. I've lived with this since mid 1998, and while I'll admit in the beginning I thought just taking a pill everyday would suffice, it doesnt. I now take insulin, and my doctor just increased my units to 20 units twice a day. This is not good. And this is in addition to taking Glipizide and Metformin pills. And if you're diabetic, you know that it is a catalyst for other health problems. I've had problems with my feet for years due to my condition. Exercise and eating right is key.
My high blood pressure. I take meds for this, and it's mainly been under control. I sometimes get headaches, but I dont feel they are related to my blood pressure. I have something else that I think needs to be looked into. With exercise and diet, that can get better too. I understand the pill my doc has me on is a pretty strong dosage.
My eating habits. I shop on a budget in the grocery store, and I've learned the cheaper stuff isnt always the best stuff for me. I need to restructure my grocery list to get what is best for me. I need to eat more meats (read: cook more) and stop the fast food think i do for lunch most days. I could save up to $30 if I bring my lunch to work each week!
Smoking!! I'm smoking my last one. I"m cleaning all the ashtrays and will fill them up with some air fresher stuff or something. Just having the smell around will make me want one. The cravings are gonna start kicking my ass pretty soon. This is gonna be fun. I think if I make it thru the first week I'll be fine. I'm gonna save alot of money giving up smoking. With all I got planned I'll be ready to shop for some new clothes by the fall at least!

Today when after I get some sleep I plan on visiting my grandmother since I havent seen her this week. Then I may just roll up the street to Lifestyles Family Fitness. They have an advertisement to work out for free in July, which will give me a chance to get into a schedule of working out....or maybe I should just say "getting healthy". Yea that sounds better.

So now, today, on my xxth birthday, I salute myself to a brand new me!! Wish me luck!!