George Simmons's blog

Talking About Diabetes

George Simmons — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:53:58 +0000

Since November is National Diabetes Awareness month I have been trying to think of ways to raise awareness about this disease so I, too can do my part.

Now one thing you should know about me is that, although I am a pretty outgoing guy, I am not one to just walk up to people and strike up a conversation about diabetes. The thought of doing that actually makes me a little light headed. I cannot imagine every doing that.

You Can Do It!

George Simmons — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:57:20 +0000

I am a firm believer in goals. Without striving towards something I lose focus. I need to have that bell to ring, button to push, or number to reach to motivate myself.

Currently I am working on losing 40 pounds. I put up a spot on my blog that is titled "Where's the 40?" and beneath it I post a picture of the number I am at in relation to the 40 pounds. Right now I am still in the high 30's but seeing that number motivates me. It gets me to want to make changes so that number changes, and so I will reach my goal.

"Sugar Free" Does Not Always Mean Carb Free!

George Simmons — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:59:47 +0000

The other night my wife, kids, and I went over to my sister's house for dinner.

Upon arriving we realized we had forgotten a crucial ingredient for the dish my wife was bringing. (Cheese-if you are wondering!)

My wife and I took a quick trip to local grocery store to pick up the cheese and possible get something for dessert. This was not the original plan but it seemed like a good idea to me!

We went into the store and quickly found the cheese she needed.

"Alright, let's go," my wife said assuming we were done!

"Um, I was thinking we should get dessert." I said it with that smile she cannot resist or at least, she makes me think so.

"Alright, what do you want?"

And this is when I freeze up. I have no clue what to get.

"Maybe just some cookies. That sounds good."

Eating Too Much

George Simmons — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:20:13 +0000

I eat too much.

I know this. I have always had a love for food and an inability to stop when I should. I eat and eat until I feel miserable and then I get more upset for not stopping when I should have!

It's a terrible cycle.

All of this overeating has been the source of my weight gain and the reason my doctor thinks I am someone else. The worst part about it all is the way my clothes are fitting. Or I should say, not fitting.

So recently I started on a journey to lose 40 pounds. So far I am down 5 pounds and am hopeful for a healthy chunk gone this week.

My strategy right now is just tackling portion size and the amount of food I consume.

The Danger in Diabetes Stereotypes

George Simmons — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:57:15 +0000

Yesterday I wrote about how my endocrinologist assumed I was a type 2 simply because of my current weight.

Today I want to tell you why this is such a problem.

When I went in to see my doctor I wanted to talk to him about using Symilin in my diabetes regimen.

He agreed that it may help with postprandial spikes and possibly some weight loss.

(See yesterday's post for the play by play)

He had his nurse bring in a Symilin pen for me to take home and also gave me a prescription for some more pens.

Type 1 and Fat

George Simmons — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:59:29 +0000

On Friday I had an appointment with my endocrinologist. I was looking forward to talking to him about some new ideas I had thought about especially Symilin.

When I told him he was very receptive to the idea of trying Symilin and thinks it may help with some weight loss.

"Most type 2's don't have a problem using Symilin. I have subscribed it often," the doctor said to me.

"Oh but I am a type 1," I tell him in the nicest voice I can muster since I know why he said what he did.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I am just fat." I had this same discussion with his nurse the last time I was here and I thought then that at least it wasn't my actual doctor saying something so stupid.

Counting Carbs is a Lot of Work!

George Simmons — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:28:15 +0000

I was reading through the dLife Viewpoints section today and saw a post that really hit home.

It's called "Bested by a Can of Tomato Soup" by Scott Johnson and I think it should be required reading for type 3's and other people without diabetes.

Counting carbs can sometimes be a difficult and maddening situation.

And we do it for virtually every meal every day. I mean, we are supposed to.

Cutting Out Some Sodium

George Simmons — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:52:12 +0000

These changes I wrote about recentlyare going pretty well. I'm choosing better foods to eat, only having human sized portions, and even cutting back on the soda.

I cannot believe I just typed that.

Soda. Diet soda is a vice I am not ready to give up entirely. I love soda in almost any flavor as long as it's diet odds are I'll like it.

But I drink a lot of soda. Way too much to be honest. And although diet soda doesn't seem to affect my blood glucose levels, the salt in it is not good.

Small Changes in Eating Habits

George Simmons — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:32:49 +0000

Last week I wrote about my fattest night ever and how I was going to begin the road of weight loss.

That was dumb idea to start on the Friday before a holiday weekend.

But I did anyway and honestly, couldn't we always find an excuse as to why we should wait to start losing weight? I can always think of something it seems.

Over the weekend I did everything in my power to stay off the couch and get out of the house. This stops me from snacking and sitting and watching cooking shows that just make me want more snacks!

The other thing I am doing is making some better choices when it comes to food. I have to be honest with myself. I am not going to eat salads everyday, or bun-less burgers. That is not me.

My Fattest Night Ever!

George Simmons — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:20:15 +0000

The other night I had a breakdown.

I needed to wear a nice shirt for work and none of them fit. I threw most of my clothes in the trash and was very upset about how fat I've become.

I have a closet full of clothes that I have outgrown. I have gained all the weight I lost and a lot more!

This is the fattest I've ever been.

But tonight, I am celebrating what I am calling, "My Fattest Night Ever!"

I have decided that tomorrow will be the beginning of the new me. The me that will never ever be this fat again. Someone who makes wiser choices and who tries to find little ways to change so it's not overwhelming.