As I mentioned in my previous blog, I have hooked up with a Health Coach through Kaiser to help me stay on track and move forward in my quest for health...has it worked...well I think the Chocolate Cake I inhaled last week would say no. Of course, I'm on Prednisone right now, so my hunger is insatiable. If I was given the chance, I could just sit and eat and read for the next week and I'd be happy.
So what have I done with the Health Coach? We have spoken twice, the first time was an assessment, the second time was a check in on my goals. My first goals were to focus on my diet some, make sure I'm getting enough nuts and avocado into my diet. I was successful with that one. Now I am working on making sure that I log my food at least 5 times each week. In the meantime, I received a workbook that helps me to really look at things. Look at when I eat, what I eat, how I eat. Things that I am aware of w/ my kids, my patients, my wife, but not myself.
So for this week my goals are to eat 2 pieces of fruit at work each day. This isn't too hard for me as it is something I usually do, but I have found myself getting slack, so I thought I'd bring it back to the forefront. I have also made a goal of walking the parking lot here at work twice this week. Again, it is something that I can do, but have gotten out of the habit, so it is time to focus on it again.
The thing that I find most motivating is a card I received in the mail with my workbook that says when my next appointment with my Health Coach is but at the top, hand written in blue Sharpie, is Keep working towards your goal! It is amazing how that gives me a sense of I can do spirit. The spirit that brings back my strength and belief in myself. Trying to keep myself focused on the body's response to food and what I put into it rather than the emotional baggage that goes with the sabatoge and feeling of defeat. It's not easy, but I have written down a goal and am now working towards that. One week, one day, one meal, one snack, one hour at a time.
As I was walking by the lab this morning on my way to my office, I noticed that there was no one waiting for labs, so I made a quick detour and had my HA1c (diabetes test) drawn. Now considering I have had issues with eating, not activly restricting my diet, and not exercising, I was pretty sure my test would be greater than 8.0 and probably close to 9.0 which would show that my diabetes is very out of control. My lab came back at 7.1 which means it is slightly out of control, but not by much. Preference is below 7.0.
Not only was I relieved, I realized that all of the changes we made last year to our diets has translated into a healthier lifestyle. I felt like I had lost control and undone everything I had accomplished last year, but this shows that didn't happen. I do have to say, my last A1c in July of 2011 was 6.7, so it has increased in the last 6 months. I do have a sense of accomplishment. Some how it helps me realize that I am continuing towards my goals.
No comments:
Post a Comment