Log Blog Update

I'm proud to say that I have completed my third week of logging after a lengthy vacation from recording any D related numbers. Acutally, it was more like a sabatical since the time span was measured in years, not days. So remind me, how long does it take for a habit to become ingrained? Am I getting close?

It would seem that just by virtue of putting it all down in the spreadsheet, my control has gotten a wee bit better. But as with other aspects of D, even that picture is not clear. The first couple of weeks I was battling the cold virus that kept on giving, and my exercise level was below my norm. The third week was closer to a normal week in that regard, but came with its own hormonal challenges. Nightime went from being my worst time period, to my best time period. I do see some consistency in a spike after breakfast, so will try a little bigger boluses to see if that helps there.

Avg BG -- 171 (wk1), 161 (wk2), 140 (wk3)
% Normal Range -- 25%, 43%, 40%
% High -- 64%, 49%, 40%
% Low -- 11%, 8%, 20%
Average Daily Standard Deviation -- 64, 65, 62

Weight watchers has got it goin' on in terms of group support and accountability. When you're struggling, you can show your food log to your leader, and he/she will give you some pointers re: drinking more water, eating all your points, low point snacks, etc. Wouldn't it be cool if we could have group meetings like that....maybe something called "Glucose Watchers"? Fortunately, we have each other here in cyberspace, and for that I am very grateful.

Gentle Flow Logging

I've been at it again...logging my blood sugars, carbs and insulin doses for a second week in a row. This could be habit forming, at least I hope so. Had a major relapse of my cold, so my activity level was way off, but since I promised myself no judgements about the numbers, I continued to enter every number. This week showed a slight downward trend. Avg BG was 161, 43% in range, 49% high, and 8% low, with a standard deviation of 65. Still not ready to make any adjustments until I resume my normal exercise this week.

Speaking of exercise, I went to Gentle Flow Yoga class for the second time ever today. I'm still trying to figure out how twisting my legs up like a maimed pidgeon, posing as an insecure, trembling warrior, and sticking my butt up in the air to impersonate a dog can be considered gentle. I'm officially convinced that I must be the least flexible woman on the planet. The only other folks in the class who seem to struggle as much as me are the guys. I know it's not good to compare myself to others. Surely that is interrupting the gently flowing-zenlike-warrior-pidgeon-depressed-dog energy that I'm supposed to be generating. But sheesh, a girl needs something to do while taking breaks to avoid a full body cramp.

I Did It! I Logged for a Week!

Wow, I actually did it! I logged for a week. And I did it without any judgements about me based on my numbers. I was sick for much of the week (cold), and even though I knew that would probably make for a pretty lousy week blood sugar wise, I logged anyway! I'm going to gather another week of data (sans the cold) and then see about making some adjustments to my pump settings. Results for this week were: Overall average 171, 25% in range, 11% low, and 64% high. Weekend average, after I was mostly over my cold and back to a more normal activity level, was 135. Overnights seem to be the largest problem area for highs thus far. More next week.

2008, Year of the Log

No, not hog, log! Not a Yule log, or another log on the fire, or a logarithm. You know the kind of log I'm talking about. Yes, I know it's kind of lame to do the new year's resolution thing, but I've got to start somewhere. So start yesterday I did.

Goal is to calmly log my bg, carbs, and insulin without judgement or stress. Just log them and that's it. No good or bad numbers, just numbers. Log now, analyze later. Just do it! And use whatever prayers and motivational slogans I can to get those numbers in that log. It's been a LONG time since I did this. I test regularly and bolus accordingly, but logging has eluded me like a greased pig! OK, so maybe this does have something to do with a hog afterall.

I have been dancing with denial. I have focused on exercise, but ignored the fact that my blood sugar swings have gotten worse, not better. I have focused on training for a half marathon, but gotten really sloppy with carb counts. Treating lows has gone from glucose tabs only to whatever I can chow down on and then some. I can see now that I have been trying to distract myself from focusing on the one thing that is probably most important health wise....proactive diabetes management. So here's to 2008, the year of the log!

Out of the Box

"Out of the Box"

I really hate that phrase. It smacks of something corporate and trite. But this week it perfectly describes my diabetes.

Monday, I had a full slate of pet sitting visits to make. Dogs inside, dogs in crates, all waiting for me to let them out and cater to their diverse doggy needs. Grabbed some coffee, got in the car, and decided to test before I headed out even though I felt fine. 54. Damn!!! Back inside, not saying nice things. My diabetes was out of it's box, and impacting my life, and my plans.

Tuesday (Christmas morning), finished walking a rambunctious, 9 month old golden retriever. Felt a bit light headed, tested, 49. OK, this is not what I wanted from Santa. Diabetes is out of it's box again, impacting my ability to do my job, and causing yet another delay.

Friday, I haven't run since my 5 miler with mom on Christmas day. Basal cut in 1/2 an hour before my run, just a routine test before I change to head out. 363. No run for me today. Diabetes is out of it's damn box again!

This week has felt like some sort of sick version of "pop goes the weasel", with diabetes rearing its ugly head at just the wrong moments and impacting my plans as well as my confidence. I'm now a pet sitter and doing what I love, but is it realistic to think the varied schedule and activity level that goes with that will work long term with my diabetes? I've been trying to work my way back up in mileage after a running injury with the goal of completing a half marathon in February. But is it really best to push myself that much, doing different workouts on different days, and always trying to play catchup with the blood sugar levels? I just wish this disease would get in it's box and stay there so I can live my life without having to spend hours trying to stuff it back in!

Diabetic Runner Challenge

So I just signed up for the Diabetic Runner Challenge. Cool idea, thanks for creating it Jamie! If you want to join the fun, go to http://yes.diabeticrunner.com/ .

The goal I set is to run 500 miles in 2008 or roughly 10 miles/week. I actually plan on averaging closer to the 20 miles throughout the year, but I learned in 2007 that it pays to rest when your body needs it.

A "too much, too soon" type of injury (hip flexor strain) kept me out of running for 6 weeks, so I didn't want to tempt myself to keep going when I shouldn't. The injury came at exactly the wrong time running wise, and I missed my first ever half marathon (Dallas White Rock) despite having trained over the long hot Texas summer and ramping my long run up to 11 miles.

I still want to run a half, so have set my sights on the Cowtown Half in late February. Im using a more conservative training schedule....Hal Higdon Novice Half Marathon plan. It has more cross training, strength training and rest than the plan I used previously, and so far feels more right for my body and experience level.

I'm hoping that accepting this challenge will also motivate me to be more diligent about logging my miles AND my blood sugar.

Reactive Diabetes

First of all, hi there to all of you in blogland. I haven't posted in a while, just been lazily commenting here and there. But what better to spark a post than a visit to the Endoc, right?

So my A1c was 6.3 today, exactly the same as what it was back in June. Weight down a little, cholesterol good. The doc rated it an "A". But I know it could be better, and that my standard deviation is...well...highly deviant and not very standard. For a very long time (a few years) I have been pretty happy to not log (in spite of Kevin sending me his awesome spreadsheet), not change pump settings, and just correct with each new meter reading. I've got the whole exercise and BG thing working well enough to make it through most workouts, and I eat pretty much what I want (within portion controlled reason of course). I test frequently, so I think that is why the A1C looks decent. I actually found myself hoping that my A1C might come back higher to spur me into proactive mode.

So how about you OCers? Are you currently proactive or reactive with your basal rates and bolus/correction ratios and why?