3 Tips To Dominate Uncharted Food Territory

Symposium

Last night I returned home from the Oklahoma Symposium and am happy to report my diabetes didn’t slow me down. The weekend was packed with panels, lectures and networking – not to mention a beer tasting and nightly cocktail hour. In years past this eventful weekend has been a bit of challenge, but this year I took charge. I’m happy to report three shifts in thinking that proved smoother sailing when navigating uncharted food territory.

1. Don’t be afraid to express your dietary needs.

The Saturday evening meal looked wonderful, but happen to be a filet so I was served the other option – white pasta w/red sauce and sautéed carrots. No thank you! I asked the server if the kitchen would be kind enough to whip together a grilled chicken breast and some steamed broccoli. After speaking with three servers and the chef, I was served exactly what I requested. YAY ME!

Symposium Dinner (more…)



Running a Marathon with Type 1 Diabetes

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June marked the 2nd marathon I’ve run in two months. I don’t feel special, nor am I dawning a 26.2 sticker on my car. I run because I find that running is good for the soul. Nevertheless, I hope through sharing a few training tips and race tricks I can inspire more people with diabetes to lace ‘em up.

Training Breakdown

Here’s how the average training week looked over the previous three months:

M – Off
T – 6 miles (Some kind of interval training)
W – Cross Training (Yoga, cycling, etc.)
Th – 6 miles (Ran at marathon race pace)
F – Off
Sa – 4 miles (10K pace)
Su – 10 to 20 miles (15-30 seconds slower than marathon pace)
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Never Say These 5 Things to a Type 1 Diabetic

diabetes spelled in sugar cubes

1) Test your blood sugar
– This is sure to incite anger. Who do you think you are? I know where my blood sugar’s at! Undoubtedly, each time someone asks you about your blood sugar, it’s always low.

2) You got diabetes because you ate too much candy as a kid, huh?
– NO!!!!!!!! I have no idea how I got this disease. My parents didn’t even have candy in the house! (more…)



No Regrets Tattoos

tattoo

A little over five years ago I had this strong desire to get a tattoo.  I’m a fairly rational person and could not justify putting something on my body that I might regret when I am 87.  What would be a part of the rest of my life….. type 1 diabetes.

A few weeks later while at lunch with my mother, a group of firefighters entered the restaurant.  While standing in line, I approached the handsome group of men and inquired as to what they would do if they found me unresponsive.   “We would check your left arm for vitals.”  BINGO!!! (more…)