Blood glucose levels are a main indicator of health. Mine have been pre-diabetic for at least three years. I have kept Type 2 diabetes barely at bay. One of my goals with this plan is to lower my levels until I’m back in the normal and safe range.
“I am optimistic in all situations”
today’s affirmation
The risk posed by high blood glucose levels
In the last six months, I haven’t been able to get a hold on my rising glucose levels. Bad diet, lack of exercise, and inconsistent monitoring mean that any drive to lower those levels have been ineffective.
I am one of 84 million Americans that has pre-diabetes, and most of them will go on to develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 years. I am also on that course.
Diabetes is described as the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. Complications arising from this disease impact millions of lives. And it seems to cause problems across a wide range, including:
- Problems with vision including cataracts and blindness
- Kidney disease and failure
- Heart disease
- Stroke and aneurysms
- Poor circulation leading to loss of toes, feet or even legs
- Nerve damage and neuropathy
Over 79,000 people die each year from diabetes, and in addition, a quarter million die from complications where diabetes was a contributing factor.
Blood glucose going down in the right direction
This afternoon I took my blood glucose measurement. It measured 104mg at 3 pm. That may be the lowest I’ve ever recorded it since I started keeping track with my home blood-testing kit.
Dropping from 138mg to 104mg is great (I haven’t measured regularly because I’m bad at tracking). I need to check it every day, just like weighing in, so that I can manage what I am measuring.
A measuring regimen for my blood glucose
I am supposed to measure every day, at different times of the day. So I aim to measure blood glucose levels first thing in the morning one day, around 3 pm on another day, and around 9 pm on the third day.
Each day provides a snapshot into my blood glucose levels and over time builds an accurate picture of how I am doing.
For the while that I was testing diligently my numbers scarcely changed. Sometimes they would rocket up into really worrisome ranges. By cutting sugar and starches from my diet and using an intermittent fasting technique, I believe I am seeing initial results that are quite promising.
I’m not going to have type 2 diabetes in 5 years, or ever
during these 16 weeks, I want to see those levels continue to drop and stabilize. My blood glucose limits will return to the normal range. I think I can do it with diet and exercise and meditation. So there won’t be medications and injections in my daily regimen.
I won’t allow diabetes to disable me, or increase my chances of dying early.
I’m encouraged that my level dropped so low. And I know that right now it is just a tick on a chart. The real race is measured over time.
