In October of 2009, I began to get real tired in the afternoon. I don't mean lost my energy tired. I mean, pass-plumb-smooth-out tired. Then it began to happen at night. I would be so tired that I would sleep like a log all night. It didn't dawn on me until this was happening about 2 months that it might, just maybe, be diabetes. I had gestational diabetes and remember most if not all of the symptoms. For some reason, passing out asleep wasn't really one I remembered. Not until later. I will not go into it, but the nights that I slept well were the nights that I ate too much or not healthy. NOW, I know why! I think I was going into mini- diabetic comas. Sleeping so soundly that no one could have woke me.
Diabetes is another one of those diseases that can be controlled. Either you are like me and can control it with diet and exercise. Some choose prescription drugs to control their disease. I used a combination of Niacinimide and cinnamon along with diet and exercise to control mine. Within 6 months I had lost 35 pounds. Diabetes symptoms went away. So did my diet and healthy eating. I started eating what I wanted no matter the content. Well, it's caught up with me. I have gained most of the weight back and guess what else is returning. Not good for me. I have got to get back on my diet and stay on it. I feel much healthier when I am eating right.
My struggle- eating right and eating healthy are not always easy. They aren't always good for you. For example, for me to eat within my diabetic health guidelines, I would steer clear of starches and sugar. So, fewer potatoes, rice, and breads. That also means a sugar substitute. That's my dilemma. There are so many reports that the sugar substitutes are not good for you.
Well, you might say, "Don't use them. Just go without sugar." Have you ever had black coffee after you've been used to drinking it with sugar/sugar substitute? It's very difficult for me to get used to. I have dwindled down the amount of sugar I use in my coffee and I can and do drink unsweet tea. But, what about baking and cooking. These are my struggles. In a family who loves their sweets, I must again begin to have the will-power I once did in 2009 to just not eat those foods that are not good for me. It is for the best for my own health but also so that I may live long enough to see my children continue to grow.
I must be aware of my body and what it is doing. Be conscience of the fact that I am not feeling well and ask myself why?? What food(s) did you eat today, Michele? Most of the time, my answer is not a good one. Foods that should be OK on a diabetic diet also knock me out. So it's a learning game. I pray that the Lord gives me the strength to eat right and more healthy. Because there are things that happen inside our bodies that we can control. Let's take a positive attitude and do what we can and treat our bodies like we are meant to. Our bodies are not perfect on this earth, but in Heaven, we will be glorified in our bodies so we may glorify our Lord. I want to take care of that which the Lord has given me on this earth. I hope you do too!
