Hello and welcome back to my blog!
Sorry I haven't been as active, I have been trying to get some consistency with my Diabetes, it is definitely harder than I thought it would be!
I've sat down and noted some topics I wanted to discuss, these are things I have found hard or strange while getting used to having diabetes. The main one is the gym.. I have loved being able to go back and workout and of course the weight I am losing is definitely helping me when it comes to motivation but there are things I have to do now to make sure I don't injure myself and have time off!
Tiredness and motivation
I have definitely noticed tiredness, not just with the gym but in general. I have struggled a lot and making changes to the hours I work and how I workout has really helped.
Some days I could sleep for an hour and feel on top of the world, others I could sleep for 15 hours straight and still have shopping bags under my eyes when I wake up, there really is no consistency when it comes to my tiredness! I have to take each day as it comes and just hope I can workout without being too tired. The days when I am tired are the worst when trying to find motivation. I have made going to the gym one of my top new years resolutions but I haven't been strict with it, I think this has definitely helped as I just cannot physically be motivated to go to the gym everyday. I am going to the gym more now than I ever have and going with one of my work friends has really helped with motivation, on the days I do not feel motivated I have her to help push me to my limits.
Blood sugar levels being up and down
Checking blood sugar level regularly is something us diabetics just have to get used to. I am currently testing mine 7 times a day, this is because my sugar levels are just all over the place.
I have been trying to find patterns with my sugar levels in the hope that I can control them, I have been unsuccessful so far. I have an appointment this week with the diabetic team to go over it and I hope they will be able to give me some tips and advice. I have found that the more working out I do, the quicker my sugar levels drop. When I am doing a gym class I will always check my sugars before and have a sugary drink or sweets before so I know I will not drop too low during the class. It really is trial and error at the moment. I am trying to be on the higher side as when my sugars drop too low I have a hypo, this can be super damaging to the body.
Always having to carry sugar
I find this one so silly. I think over the years of dieting and boxing, sweets and sugar have always been branded as poison in my head and now I have to eat it if I am low? I find it so strange.
I like to take Lucozade when going to the gym, I just find it easier to drink when feeling low instead of having to eat sweets etc. I hope once I have a plan in place with the diabetes clinic, I will be able to control when I need sugar a lot better. I am really good at forgetting things, this is something you can't really forget as it can quite literally be life threatening. I think when you're at your house or work there will always be some form of sugar but in public places it will be a lot harder and that does scare me a bit.
Cardio is a no
This one is a personal preference. I love to do hill walks on the treadmill or warm up by walking on the treadmill but over time with my PCOS I have learnt that I do not need to run for miles to get results, with PCOS cardio can actually work the opposite way and the body will keep fat as you're trying too hard to get rid of it. I love the treadmill and using the hill incline. I have started running for 30 second bursts on the treadmill but that does depend on how tired I am on the day.
Joining in the classes at the gym
I love going to the gym on my own and planning my own workouts, I have the cutest little book and I just enjoy going through YouTube and finding exercises but recently I have been told I need to take things slowly and not over do it. This is something I am really not used to, I usually workout until I am sick. I have started joining in the classes at the gym with a friend from work. I find the classes good as they're 30 - 40 mins long and you can have a good workout but you don't over do it. I like the idea of having others in the class too as you can use each other for motivation and encouragement.
Youtube videos
I have been watching youtube for the best workout ideas for Diabetes and PCOS as I really want to do as much as I can but not over do it. I find having a video to follow is great too as you can pause it if you feel you need a break. I think the hardest thing I need to get used to is accepting the fact I am not as fit as I used to be and I need to listen to my body, I am slowly getting there.
Research into Diabetes
My father has had diabetes for many years so the whole term "Diabetes" isn't new for me. I have however learnt that everyone's diabetes is different and I have found some things that work for me do not work for my father and vice versa. When I was diagnosed last month I was given some information leaflets and sent on my way, I guess it's like that with a lot of illnesses. I have researched into diabetes friendly workouts and meals. I have sound so much on the web and I really didn't have to do a lot of searching, I just think with the way the NHS is now they just do not have the time and staff to be able to give you much information.
Listening to my body
This is the biggest challenge I have faced so far, I find that listening to my body is something I have never done. I would always workout and run until I couldn't anymore and that is not the way forward now my body has this chronic illness to deal with. I have found a structured routine is what helps my body to recover after gym sessions. I have noticed my body takes longer to heal and it can be really frustrating. Sometimes I need more time off the gym to recover. When I can eventually shift this extra weight I will be able to go back to boxing and push myself to the limit, everyone has a different limit and the more my body gets stronger and stronger I will be able to do more and more!
Varied diet
Having the diagnosis of diabetes has meant I need to change parts of my diet. Limiting sugar and carbs mainly. I have been recommended by the gp to try a keto diet, something which I haven't tried before. I have done so many different diets in my time, from liquid to gluten and dairy free!
I've been trying to get more fibre and protein in my diet more recently and just making small swaps, the internet is a wonderful place for recipes!
There are so any different things that have changed since my diagnosis but I have been working really hard to try and manage it. Sometimes it feels like a full time job!
If anyone with diabetes reading this has any tips or tricks on how to manage with it please do let me know!
Thank you for reading my blog,
Chloe
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