Stop Diabetes

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Primal Stride Challenge Update 1.3

Today, it was much easier to get up at 5am.  I think I also went to bed a lot earlier last night. . which always helps.  I'm generally not a morning person, as my family would agree, and usually don't start feeling human until around 10am. But, I will admit, getting up early has been good for me.  This morning, after exercising, I browsed an online recipe site and will surprise the family with low-carb blueberry muffins for breakfast.

It's way too cold to walk outside. This morning at 5am the thermometer read a whopping 13 degrees!  Yeeouch! The gym doesn't open until 7am on the weekend, so I put on my Leslie Sansone, Walk at Home audio and covered 3.5mi in my living room.  It's not ideal, but it helps me keep on pace for the challenge.

I was happy my fasting blood glucose was 175 this morning, but a bit disappointed that working out, once again, made it go up to 198.  That's what happens when you don't have any insulin in your system. (I'll put the logistics of that at the bottom of this post so when you  get there, if not interested, you can go about your day.) I see the Certified Diabetic Educator on Friday for my insulin lessons and prescription.  It will be interesting to see how much of a difference adding insulin to my regimen will make.

That's my update for this morning.  Go make it a great day! If you want to learn about the insulin/exercise thing. . read on, otherwise I'll be back tomorrow morning.
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Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of your pancreas.  It's main function is to help regulate the amount of glucose in your bloodstream.  As the glucose level rises, the pancreas releases insulin.  Insulin then acts like a key, opening the door of each cell so glucose can enter to be burned as fuel.  With Type 1 Diabetes, I don't have enough insulin, so when I exercise, my muscles are needing fuel to burn.  There's no insulin to open the cell doorways for the glucose, so it remains floating in the bloodstream.  The muscles, starving for energy, signal to my body that they need fuel and the liver releases glucose from it's storage to provide that fuel.  Unfortunately, with no insulin to let THAT glucose enter. . the cycle just continues adding more and more glucose into your bloodstream.

That's why it's so important for Type 1 diabetics to test their glucose levels before, during and after exercise.  If you happen to be caught in that cycle, your liver could send you right into diabetic ketoacidosis. .which could require hospitalization and even lead to coma.

5 comments:

  1. Babs- I am happy you were able to participate in the exercise challenge. I can't wait for you to start insulin. It'll help you out a lot. Make sure you carry glucose tabs with you!

    Cherise

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  2. I'm not a morning person either so it's with a mildly grouchy voice that I demand one of those blueberry muffins! =)

    You are truly an inspiration. Your perseverance and flexibility in spite of what you're going through health-wise make all my excuses seem trivial at best.

    Thanks for being a part of this!

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  3. Thanks to you both for the encouragement!

    Cherise. . we laugh because I always carry glucose, but haven't EVER needed it. It's just kind of funny that way.

    Seth. . I wish there were muffins left. My family ate 'em up quickly! Can't wait to see what the next challenge is. I'm thinking this 5am habit may just stick.

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  4. Hey Barb
    Keep it up, it sounds that your on the right path. I am a type 2 and I have been trying to back to control after a few months of layoffs. I am chronicling everything on my blog as part of the diabetes management solutions project. What I wanted to tell you is that after my first 7 days one of the things that caught my eye was that my fasting sugars were usually higher and dropped lower during the day, before exercising and dropped dramatically after. I usually do cardio (spinning) for an hour and it seems to be working. Overall in 7 days, I have gone from averaging high 200 in the morning to mid 100 and that's just in the first week so hopefully with the integration of Insulin in your regimen its gonna be a big booster.
    My chronicles are at http://thepoordiabetic.com/diabetes-management-solutions/ if you wanna take a glance.

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  5. Thanks, "the poor diabetic" for your comments. I have checked your blog over the last few months and followed your progress. You're doing GREAT! I was originally diagnosed as Type II and just last week was officially re-diagnosed as LADA Type 1. I had a "honeymoon" period where my results were as good as yours. After about a month, without my changing anything, my BG levels steadily began rising to where they were not altered at all by eating less carbs and working out. they did more tests and indeed, I don't make enough insulin on my own. so, I'm really excited to see what happens when I combine my hard work with insulin. I am really hoping that next week, I start feeling "normal" again, whatever that is. . ha ha
    Keep up the good work, I'll keep checking in with ya!

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