When you're living with diabetes, every meal becomes a delicate balance between enjoyment and careful consideration. During my recent holiday, walking the West Highland Way, this became centre stage, having to select suitable diabetic meal choices from the menus of pubs and hotels along the way.
One of the biggest hurdles I encountered was the limited options available that aligned with my dietary needs. It seemed that every dish was laden with high-carbohydrate choices like chips, rice, and other tempting but troublesome offerings. Ordering a meal became a strategic endeavour, often involving special requests to omit these carbohydrate-heavy sides.
Some days were easier than others. Service buffets were fantastic as I could select exactly what I wanted and also importantly what I didn't want.
However, amidst the culinary obstacles, there was one day that stood out among the rest - my birthday. On this special occasion, I indulged in selecting a pudding. It was a rare treat amidst the sea of dietary restrictions, a moment to savour amidst the journey of constant vigilance and boy did I enjoy my cheesecake with chocolate dripping.
Yet, even amidst celebration, my commitment to my health remained unwavering. As I embarked on the West Highland Way walk, a challenging trek spanning approximately 96 miles, I decided to push myself further. In addition to conquering the miles beneath my feet, I set another challenge for myself - to perform press-ups at each mile interval. It was a test of both physical endurance and mental fortitude, a reminder that living with diabetes is not just about managing food choices but embracing a holistic approach to wellness.
Each mile a reminder on my Garmin watch would prompt me to drop and do 30 press-ups, no matter where that was, uphill, downhill or even with people surrounding me.
It seemed a good idea at the beginning, sometimes even I wondered why I was doing it.
My reason was to do strength work as well as walking, to help push down the sugar levels further.
Upon my return, a visit to the dietician brought encouraging news. Despite the temptations and challenges along the way, my weight had decreased to 74.3 kilograms. It was a tangible reminder of my progress made, a testament to the power of determination in the face of adversity of all those tempting calories which I overlooked. I had during the whole holiday kept reminding myself of the reason why I had started in the first place. Similar to running a half marathon, during the event you may question yourself, so be prepared to answer your self-doubts.
Equally promising were the results of my blood sugar levels, now registering occasionally. in the green at below 7 taken with my blood sugar monitor. It is a validation of the efforts invested, a confirmation that small steps towards healthier choices yield significant results over time.
Yet, amidst the triumphs, the journey is far from over. Living with diabetes is a perpetual voyage, marked by daily decisions and unwavering resolve. But with each obstacle overcome and each milestone achieved, I am reminded of the importance of remaining motivated towards my ultimate goal - to keep my sugar levels low and to keep off medication.
I continue to navigate the complexities of diabetic dining, shopping and cooking, I do so with a newfound sense of empowerment, knowing that with each choice made in the name of my health, I am getting closer to the answer.
Can diabetes be reversed a second time by someone who has had it for twenty years?
Please look at some of my other posts.
Any comments and likes would be fantastic.
Simon
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