I really didn't mean to, I swear!
I had an appointment this morning and was told to fast. So I'm sitting there in the office, finally (after waiting forever and having a ton of blood drawn for labs) and the chick is asking about what I'm eating. Which is not a whole hell of a lot. Salads, mostly. And chicken; not fried, of course. Anyway, she notes that I weigh the same as I did last time so I need to cut back. Again. Hell I'm already not eating half as much as I was because everything I like has been banned. And I'm sitting there thinking "the first doctor told me he wasn't worried about the weight, just the level of sugar in my blood. Now you wanna flip the script?" But I say nothing. My numbers were down from what they were, but for some reason she still feels the need to double my dosage, which means paying double for the medicine. She mentions that my blood pressure is up, which it has never been until after the diabetes diagnosis. Even at the doctor's appointment a week before I came to her office the first time my blood pressure was normal. As much stress as I've been under about work, finances, my health, and my relationship, I can't say I'm surprised it was up. She accuses me of not telling her everything I'm eating, then decides I need a prescription for that. "Great, more money gone," I think. But I hold my tongue. Then she asks about the gym and I tell her. She suggests I get a personal trainer. I told her that wasn't an option right now. Then she goes on into this spill about this is life or death, I don't need to be lazy, a trainer can help me exercise even when I don't feel like it... Finally I couldn't hold my tongue anymore. "Are you gonna pay for my personal trainer? Because I'm scraping up the $28 a month to go, I dayum sure don't have an extra $200 a month for their trainer! I don't even know if I'm gonna be able to afford all these prescriptions. So how in the world am I going to afford a trainer?" For a minute she didn't say anything, probably surprised that I'd gone from 0 to 100 in a second. Then she says, "Okay, well I need you to try to lose five pounds in two weeks and come back to see me" and makes for the door. "If I can pay for it," was all I could reply.
Moral of the story: I need to move to Canada. Here, I can neither afford to be sick nor to get better.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Breast Cancer & Diabetes
Last week I was diagnosed with diabetes. It didn't come as a surprise, as a few relatives are diabetic, and I'd been exhibiting some symptoms related to the disease. Initially the doctor said it was type II since my body is still producing some insulin. However, at yesterday's consultation the nurse expressed concern that it may be type I due to my age and the fact that the level of insulin that is naturally produced by my body is low. So they will be running labs and all that good stuff in the next few weeks. Doesn't really matter I guess; the end result is the same right?
So yeah, I have to change my diet and exercise more, all that good stuff. And that's fine. The real fear for me is the possible link between diabetes and breast cancer. For years, scientists have looked at a possible link between breast cancer and diabetes. It has been suggested that high levels of insulin may increase the risk of breast cancer. Diabetes research shows that women with diabetes have a 20% higher risk of breast cancer than women without diabetes. One study suggests that high blood sugar increases the risk of breast cancer even among pre-menopausal women. Not good news for someone with a history of breast cancer on both sides of the family.
I must note that it has been difficult for scientists to determine whether diabetes is indeed a risk factor. After all, obesity increases the risk for both diseases. And significant weight gain (more than 55 pounds since age 18, or 22 pounds after menopause) can also increase risk of breast cancer, even in women without diabetes.
Breast cancer is most effectively treated when it is detected early. The American Cancer Society recommends taking the following preventative measures to help ensure good breast health:
• Begin having annual mammograms at age 40 (but if you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to have them done earlier, depending on your doctor's recommendation).
• Your doctor should be performing a clinical breast examination at your regular health examination or gynecological visit. For women between the ages of 20 and 39, this breast examination should be performed every three years; women 40 and older should have a clinical breast examination every year.
• Women as young as age 20 should perform monthly breast self-examinations to familiarize themselves with the normal feel of their breast tissue. This can help you identify changes or problems. It is important to report any changes to your doctor right away.
The Mayo Clinic recommends taking the following tips, which are especially important if you have a family history of breast cancer and diabetes, to help prevent diabetes:
• Lose extra weight: Diabetes is highly associated with obesity. If you carry extra weight, try to lose it as diabetes prevention hinges on weight loss.
• Skip fad diets: low-carb, low-fat and high protein diets work only for the short-term and provide no value in long-term weight maintenance.
• Eat plenty of fiber: fiber improves blood sugar control.
• Swap white bread and refined flour breads with whole grains: at least half of your daily intake of grains should come from whole grains.
• Lose the sedentary lifestyle: regular exercise not only prevents weight gain, it helps maintain healthy weight, improves your mood, encourages heart and lung health, and promotes better sleep.
Since November is Diabetes Awareness Month, I'll be posting more about it then. Til then, ladies and gents (because men can develop breast cancer too!) be sure to check yourself. If you feel anything abnormal, talk to your doctor ASAP.
So yeah, I have to change my diet and exercise more, all that good stuff. And that's fine. The real fear for me is the possible link between diabetes and breast cancer. For years, scientists have looked at a possible link between breast cancer and diabetes. It has been suggested that high levels of insulin may increase the risk of breast cancer. Diabetes research shows that women with diabetes have a 20% higher risk of breast cancer than women without diabetes. One study suggests that high blood sugar increases the risk of breast cancer even among pre-menopausal women. Not good news for someone with a history of breast cancer on both sides of the family.
I must note that it has been difficult for scientists to determine whether diabetes is indeed a risk factor. After all, obesity increases the risk for both diseases. And significant weight gain (more than 55 pounds since age 18, or 22 pounds after menopause) can also increase risk of breast cancer, even in women without diabetes.
Breast cancer is most effectively treated when it is detected early. The American Cancer Society recommends taking the following preventative measures to help ensure good breast health:
• Begin having annual mammograms at age 40 (but if you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to have them done earlier, depending on your doctor's recommendation).
• Your doctor should be performing a clinical breast examination at your regular health examination or gynecological visit. For women between the ages of 20 and 39, this breast examination should be performed every three years; women 40 and older should have a clinical breast examination every year.
• Women as young as age 20 should perform monthly breast self-examinations to familiarize themselves with the normal feel of their breast tissue. This can help you identify changes or problems. It is important to report any changes to your doctor right away.
The Mayo Clinic recommends taking the following tips, which are especially important if you have a family history of breast cancer and diabetes, to help prevent diabetes:
• Lose extra weight: Diabetes is highly associated with obesity. If you carry extra weight, try to lose it as diabetes prevention hinges on weight loss.
• Skip fad diets: low-carb, low-fat and high protein diets work only for the short-term and provide no value in long-term weight maintenance.
• Eat plenty of fiber: fiber improves blood sugar control.
• Swap white bread and refined flour breads with whole grains: at least half of your daily intake of grains should come from whole grains.
• Lose the sedentary lifestyle: regular exercise not only prevents weight gain, it helps maintain healthy weight, improves your mood, encourages heart and lung health, and promotes better sleep.
Since November is Diabetes Awareness Month, I'll be posting more about it then. Til then, ladies and gents (because men can develop breast cancer too!) be sure to check yourself. If you feel anything abnormal, talk to your doctor ASAP.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Time to Get Serious About Losing Weight (Again)
Back in June, while unpacking boxes, I decided to step on the scale for the first time in forever. The number that greeted me... Well let's just say it was not the number I expected. (Y'all know I'm not gonna tell you how much I weigh, so why are you looking for a number?) I didn't feel like I'd gained any weight, but there it was in black and white. I was distraught, y'all! I mean, yeah I'd slacked off on the gym some, and I was eating out more (I blame that on the boo) but I thought I was at least maintaining where I was. Not so. It was hard to come to grips with the fact that I was packing on the pounds.
[caption id="attachment_1417" align="alignleft" width="262" caption="She looks like she's smiling. I was not."]
[/caption]
The first attempt was Weight Watchers Points Plus plan. Hey, I wanted to yell "I CAAAAN! I CAAAN!" too! But I couldn't. My problem was that they wanted me to track everything I ate every day, as well as do a weekly weigh-in. If you've followed this blog for any amount of time you know that consistency really isn't my thing, unfortunately. And since a lot of the dishes I eat are nowhere in their database (because they are recipes that different family members concocted) it was a pain to try to enter every ingredient and guess the portion, nutrition facts, etc. But there were some benefits to it as well. It caused me to look at how much I was eating and reduce my intake (something that has continued even though I slacked off on the food tracker). And the website has some great tips, inspirational stories, and recipes. My initial three-month period is up some time this month; we'll see if I decide to keep it.
Another thing is that I've started going back to the gym. Courthouse fitness is literally across the street from work, plus there are several other locations in my usual areas. I have no excuse not to go work out. One of my coworkers even goes with me occasionally, so I'm not just stuck there by myself. That's one reason I stopped going to the other gym (that and the fact that they cancelled my favorite dance/workout class). My only wish is that the location closest to me had Zumba. I freakin love Zumba! I'm so tempted to order the DVDs so I can do it at home.
Honestly, the reason I'm trying to rid myself of extra weight isn't just for the sake of appearance. I've never had a problem being a big girl, and when people would say anything about food killing you I'd respond, "Well I'll die fat and happy." But lately there have been issues which may or may not (but highly likely are) due to being too fat. And I'm not happy with that. So I have to make some real changes now. Hopefully they'll last. My goal is to lose 40 lbs by this time next year and 80 in two years.
I think my work is already starting to pay off. Momma noted that my clothes seem to be fitting a little looser. Unfortunately, it's my pants that have gotten slack... in the butt. Bad business! But maybe now I can justify getting some Booty Pop panties!! ^_^
Anyway, here are my five not-as-important-as-my-health-but-still-darn-important reasons/motivations for losing the weight:
1. Fighting the Zeta stereotype of being "fat, black and ugly." I love my dark skin, and I've never been ugly (we can take this back to baby pix if you wanna!), so those are fine. But fat? Yeah, they got me there.
2. My 10-year high school reunion is coming up soon. I'd love toprance around half-naked while singing "Can't Touch This!" to the former crushes get in shape for that.
3. I wanna be picked up without fear that everyone involved will end up sprawled out on the ground with a broken back.
4. The end of thigh rub. Can I wear a cute dress without having to rub down my thighs with Vaseline? (Big girls, if you haven't tried that little trick, do it. Game. Changer.)
5. Cute, cheap clothes. Sometimes I see little tops in Charlotte Rouse and other "little chick" places in the mall on my way to Lane Bryant. It would be nice to pop in there and get a little something for a little of nothing.
[caption id="attachment_1417" align="alignleft" width="262" caption="She looks like she's smiling. I was not."]
[/caption]The first attempt was Weight Watchers Points Plus plan. Hey, I wanted to yell "I CAAAAN! I CAAAN!" too! But I couldn't. My problem was that they wanted me to track everything I ate every day, as well as do a weekly weigh-in. If you've followed this blog for any amount of time you know that consistency really isn't my thing, unfortunately. And since a lot of the dishes I eat are nowhere in their database (because they are recipes that different family members concocted) it was a pain to try to enter every ingredient and guess the portion, nutrition facts, etc. But there were some benefits to it as well. It caused me to look at how much I was eating and reduce my intake (something that has continued even though I slacked off on the food tracker). And the website has some great tips, inspirational stories, and recipes. My initial three-month period is up some time this month; we'll see if I decide to keep it.
Another thing is that I've started going back to the gym. Courthouse fitness is literally across the street from work, plus there are several other locations in my usual areas. I have no excuse not to go work out. One of my coworkers even goes with me occasionally, so I'm not just stuck there by myself. That's one reason I stopped going to the other gym (that and the fact that they cancelled my favorite dance/workout class). My only wish is that the location closest to me had Zumba. I freakin love Zumba! I'm so tempted to order the DVDs so I can do it at home.
Honestly, the reason I'm trying to rid myself of extra weight isn't just for the sake of appearance. I've never had a problem being a big girl, and when people would say anything about food killing you I'd respond, "Well I'll die fat and happy." But lately there have been issues which may or may not (but highly likely are) due to being too fat. And I'm not happy with that. So I have to make some real changes now. Hopefully they'll last. My goal is to lose 40 lbs by this time next year and 80 in two years.
I think my work is already starting to pay off. Momma noted that my clothes seem to be fitting a little looser. Unfortunately, it's my pants that have gotten slack... in the butt. Bad business! But maybe now I can justify getting some Booty Pop panties!! ^_^
Anyway, here are my five not-as-important-as-my-health-but-still-darn-important reasons/motivations for losing the weight:
1. Fighting the Zeta stereotype of being "fat, black and ugly." I love my dark skin, and I've never been ugly (we can take this back to baby pix if you wanna!), so those are fine. But fat? Yeah, they got me there.
2. My 10-year high school reunion is coming up soon. I'd love to
3. I wanna be picked up without fear that everyone involved will end up sprawled out on the ground with a broken back.
4. The end of thigh rub. Can I wear a cute dress without having to rub down my thighs with Vaseline? (Big girls, if you haven't tried that little trick, do it. Game. Changer.)
5. Cute, cheap clothes. Sometimes I see little tops in Charlotte Rouse and other "little chick" places in the mall on my way to Lane Bryant. It would be nice to pop in there and get a little something for a little of nothing.
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