My Diabetic Journal - Week 1

I was really overwhelmed by all the love and support I received from my previous blog.  It's really heartwarming to see that people care.  Thank you all so much!

I think journaling is an important part of this. It helps me know how I feel after eating a certain way or what I may have done "right" or "wrong".  I type it that way because I don't think there is a right or wrong in what I am doing.  This is all about changing habits and my lifestyle to live with my diabetes.  Also, maybe I can help inspire someone else.  I am not an expert and if you have suggestions for me, please let me know.  My current goals are to stay under 2500 calories a day, stay between 30 and 45 carbs for meals and under 25 for snacks and exercise for 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week..

Sunday January 11th, 2015:
Last night we went to the Eagles with some friends and family for Steak Night and to watch the Seahawks game.  I had salad, steak and sauteed shrimp.  The food was so good but I also had at least 5 drinks plus a few shots.  On the way home I don't remember if it was me or Roger who suggested it but we ended up going to Jack In The Box.  Being not of sound mind, I ordered a Munchie Box.  A big fat greasy sandwich, fries and tacos.  I don't even remember if it tasted good.  What a waste.

I woke up really disappointed in myself.  I should have made a better choice.  This morning's blood sugar reading was 147, the highest it has ever been.  Damn you Vodka and Red Bull!!  I am going to have to cut back on drinking, or cut it off.  Saturday we have a Company Party for Roger's work so I will test out having 2 drinks.

We have a Sunday ritual which includes breakfast at 9 at the Silver Star, grocery shopping, chores and either Football or NASCAR.  I'm very predictable.  I always have the Rib Eye steak, eggs, hash browns and toast.  Now, I have to change that.  I've traded out the hash browns for tomato slices and my toast is dry whole wheat.  We went grocery shopping after and I got some chicken thighs on sale so I made Crispy Baked Chicken around 2.  I had 2 pieces of it and then took a nap.  For dinner around 7, I had a salad and another piece of the chicken.  We went to bed around 7:30.  We may be 33 and 37 but we kinda act like 70 year olds.

Monday January 12th, 2015:
Back to work and back on track.  My morning blood sugar was 140.  I think it may still be from the drinking or could be from the lack of food from Sunday.  Information online is sketchy.  It's easier for me to stay on track when I am at work because I am on a schedule.

My new favorite foods are Wasa Light Rye Crackers with sliced cheese and Turkey Pepperoni.  I can have 4 crackers, 2 slices of cheese and 17 slices of pepperoni for 350 calories and 28 carbs.  I can add a clementine or a 1/2 cup of berries for an extra 10 carbs and 40 calories.  For me, this makes a perfect breakfast when I get to work around 7.  I try to have a snack around 9:30 or 10.  Usually a piece of fruit.  A Honeycrisp apple has 110 calories and 29 carbs.

For dinner I made a Seafood Soup with a little rice.  It had scallops, shrimp and cod in it.  It was filling and delicious.  Next time I make it, I will share the recipe.  It made six servings so we will have leftovers for a few days.  We both love having leftovers for lunches.

Tuesday January 13th, 2015:
Woke up a bit late this morning but still took the time to make sure I brought good food to work.  My morning blood sugar was down to 126.  Alcohol really affects the blood sugar obviously.  I am also feeling a bit out of control.  I am feeling really hungry and craving "bad" foods.  It's been difficult to resist but so far I have been.

I recently signed up for a NatureBox subscription.  NatureBox is a company that sends a box of snacks to you once a month.  It's great for me because I have them sent to my work and always have a healthy snack on hand.  It's $20 for 5 different snacks a month.  If you'd like to sign up, I can email you a referral and you will get a discounted box.  I tried the French Vanilla Almond Granola and the Strawberry Greek Yogurt Covered Pretzels today.  They were both really good and low in carbs.

I didn't have a plan for dinner tonight so I gave Roger the options of fending for ourselves, me making something or ordering in.  He hemmed and hawed for like 20 minutes not making a decision so I finally just got up and made a beef stir fry with zucchini and mushrooms.  I know it's not his plan to put off the decision until I just make it, but it worked out.  I secretly wanted him to choose to order in so I could blame him.  I feel guilty about that now, but at the time, all I could think about was the food.

Wednesday January 14th, 2015:
When I first started this, I told Roger that I never wanted to feel guilty about eating something.  It was about making healthier choices but not depriving myself.  So far, I don't feel deprived.  In fact, my lunches seem like a lot of food.  Because it is mostly leafy green vegetables, I can pile on more and still stay under my calorie goals.  I have brought a 1/4 cup measuring cup and a Tablespoon to work in order to keep portions in check.  I emailed my doctor today to see if I could get an appointment with a nutritionist.  I think it would be helpful to show someone my food log and get their "professional" opinion.  My doctor gave me kudos for being so dedicated so that made me feel good.

I gave myself a treat tonight and ordered Chinese food.  Before I even started eating it, I portioned it out so I wouldn't eat too much.  I felt good about the decision, however, I immediately got a headache after eating it.  Besides the fries from Saturday night, this is the only deep fried stuff I have had in over a month.  I will have to remember this when I get this craving again.

Thursday January 15th, 2015:
I am regretting my decision to have that Chinese food now.  I don't want to waste it so I am eating it for breakfast and lunch today.  I am in a terrible mood and finding it hard to get motivated to do anything today.  I am tired and just feel sluggish.  What a lesson I have learned.  Back to eating good and keeping on this healthier path.

Along with changing my eating habits, I also have given up soda and coffee.  Soda wasn't really that big of a deal but coffee has been hard.  I think it's one of those things that I will have every once in a while.  I still have $30 on my Starbucks Gold Card to use.  They have healthy food choices too so on a day where I am running late, I have a back up plan.

I made Ahi Tuna steaks for dinner tonight.  I also threw together a cheesy rice side dish for carbs.  I had leftover rice from Tuesday so I added some peas, smoked sausage and cheese.  I am trying to rid the fridge of stuff left over from the holidays.  I had a package of Lil' Smokies that I had planned to make as an appetizer for a New Years Eve Party but I got sick and was unable to go.  I have been trying to use those when I can because they are full of salt.

Friday January 16th, 2015:
I have been doing this change for a little over a month now and for the most part I am really happy with it.  I feel good, I have more energy and I'm focused.  The only thing negative is that things are getting a little monotonous.  I have a salad every day for lunch at work.  I can change up the protein, the dressing or other toppings so that's fine.  It's at home, for dinner, where things are boring.

Roger isn't much for vegetables.  He has opened up a lot more over the past few years and added some vegetables to his list but mostly not.  I can't really have corn anymore and canned green beans are so full of sodium that I am trying to avoid them if possible.  So for now, roasted broccoli or stir fried zucchini and mushrooms is about the limit.  I spent a few hours yesterday going through low-carb side side dish recipes and I think I have came up with a good list.  Next week will be my trial week for them.

This morning I stopped at Starbucks on my way to work and got an iced tea. I also ordered the Spinach and Feta Wrap with Egg Whites and the Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon Sandwich.  I ate the wrap for breakfast at 7 with some blueberries.  It was really good but not very filling.  I ate the other sandwich at around 9:30.  Both were less than 300 calories and less than 30 carbs so for "eating out", they weren't bad.  I think I would get the wrap again and add something but not the sandwich.