Looking at the bigger picture

I was diagnosed with Diabetes back in July 2010, Scroll down and you’ll see the entry. Thought I was coping with it OK until Monday when I went to see the doctor who had my latest test results…

Lets just say it wasn’t good. He did read me the riot act and stress that unless I do something then I will loose my eyesight, have feet problems and all the other nice things can come with diabetes. Huge wake up call.

I brushed off my testing kit, bought some more testing strips. (Before you ask, yes I’m in one of those areas that don’t offer free strips/needles yet someone I know less than 30 miles away does get them for free) and started using them on Tuesday morning.

So this week I’ve made a real effort to check what I eat. I’ve cut out the sugars a lot. It’s the carbohydrates that do me it.

Was so disappointed with my reading last night. 13.0. To put this into context I’m aiming for a reading around the 7-8 mark. So yes that is very high. Back to the books to try and find out where I’m going wrong.

I decided to keep a diary of what I eat and compared it to my readings. To see what sends me over the top. My readings have been from 10.3 to 15.6 depending on the time of day. I’ve been checking myself first this in the morning and then two hours after each meal. I wrote out the diary and saw a pattern emerging. Yes my figures are high, but looking at the bigger picture and comparing readings maybe I am heading in the right direction?

First thing this morning my reading was 10.3, compare this to the 12.8 yesterday.

My morning readings were, today – 11.7, Yesterday – 14.5, day before 15.7

Afternoon readings, Yesterday 11.3, day before 12.0

Evening readings yesterday 13.0, day before 13.5

I really hope this is the sign that my new pills and increase in exercise is paying off. Even though all the figures are on the high to very high side. They are all reducing. Hopefully the salad that I have just had for lunch and the hit on the exercise bike this afternoon will reduce these figures even more. I’ll keep you posted. Remember don't look at one figure in isolation, always look at the bigger picture.