Kim Doty's blog

Exercise Alone Lowers HbA1C in type 2 Diabetic

Kim Doty — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:08:34 +0000

That's right, after LOWERING my dosage of metformin (generic glucophage) six months ago; my HbA1C went DOWN to 5.5 from 5.8. Yes, I brought my average blood sugars DOWN by reducing my medication and increasing my cardio and strength training. It's only a decrease of about 8 mg/dl but that's an average over 24/7. AND I went from 2000 mg metformin to 1500 mg. I know "they" say it can and should work that way, but I'm the first to admit I didn't believe it. (Or that was my excuse for not trying harder).

Exercise Alone Lowers HbA1C in type 2 Diabetic

Kim Doty — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:11:36 +0000

Exercise: Top Prescription for Type 2?

Kim Doty — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:31:29 +0000

"Exercise is key to lifetime management of type 2 diabetes". How many times have we heard that or a variation of that statement? dLife even has a whole section devoted to the topic.

I started picking up the exercise habit last summer, when I was laid off by my employer. But I tried to get the habit for many years prior to that event. If I only had exercised for all the months that I paid for gym memberships, I might not be writing first hand about type 2 diabetes!

Tummy Trim Report 2

Kim Doty — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:46:19 +0000

I missed reporting last week. I'm happy to say that my weight has stayed the same and my fasting sugars are edging below 110. I'm sad to say I am continuing to struggle with good food choices, and losing the battle too often.

One of the things I was happiest about with the week 2 challenge information was the article on healthy food substitutions. I almost didn't click on the link. How many times have we read articles about this that say inane things like "Swap water for one of your colas every day to lose 15 lbs in one year!". As if anyone watching their weight, or with diabetes, is still drinking sugared soda and doesn't know it's a poor choice!

Tummy Trim Week 1 Report

Kim Doty — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:13:15 +0000

A day late, and not a dollar, but a pound short; I'm here reporting in on my first week on the dLife Tummy Trim Challenge. I didn't lose anything in week 1. On the positive side, I didn't gain either.

I logged some of my food. To be exact, 2 whole days and several partial days. As my fellow blogger, Michelle Kowalski, also admitted this week; I am accepting the fact that I have a dysfunctional relationship with food. In other words, I eat for reasons other than fueling my body. Because of this, logging my food both works well to help me reach my goals, and is incredibly hard to do.

Tummy Trim Challenge

Kim Doty — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:14:14 +0000

University of Maryland Weight Management Center

A month ago, dLife sent out an invitation to join their new Tummy Trim Challenge. It's a six week program to trim an inch off your waist. This is important because abdominal, or visceral, fat increases your risk of heart disease and other diabetes complications. I thought it was perfect for me -- a great way to get re-motivated on my weight loss journey.

The A1C Result Makes Me Feel...

Kim Doty — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:43:47 +0000

~~discouraged~~. No, that's not the right word. Or maybe it's that it's not the only word. Cocky is one, disappointed another. Defeated is too strong, but more internalized than disappointed. Judged for sure, as it really does feel like my "grade".

Following gestational diabetes, I was "diagnosed" with type 2 by an A1C result of 6.0 by an endocrinologist who shall remain nameless to protect the incompetent. It was later that I discovered that the A1C is NOT a diagnostic tool and you shouldn't be diagnosed by it.

There was some debate once I changed endos as to whether I was "pre-diabetic" or actually had diabetes. After several years on metformin, and another round of insulin-dependent gestational diabetes, with only a 0.2 improvement in my A1C, I think the debate is over.

Alert to Mis-information Day

Kim Doty — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:41:31 +0000

American Diabetes Association

Today (March 24th) is American Diabetes Alert Day. This is the 21st year for this event, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), though I don't recall prior years. They did get a mention in Dear Abby, which I'm sure is the ultimate PR notice for this type of event.

New Doctor Report

Kim Doty — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:31:46 +0000

I don't do well with change sometimes. Ok, most of the time. Well... honestly, almost all of the time change throws me for a bit of a loop.

I am moving my healthcare from 4 doctors 50 miles away to 1 doc who is 15 minutes away. I was going to get an endo here, but I don't really need a specialist endo, at least not at this stage. I can't afford the fancy MD/PhD nutritionist who was fabulous. I'm not having any more babies, so I don't really need an ob/gyn (debatable). My former primary care doc just left her practice and opened a retainer-based center (much too pricey even with my old paycheck and insurance). It was the "perfect storm" for a big healthcare change.

The True Cost of Fitness

Kim Doty — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:41:20 +0000

I have been working out about 4 times a week for SEVEN months now! This is a lifetime record for me, working out consistently for so long. I'm really starting to see a difference, and as soon as I figure out my health-care strategy, I expect to see results via my A1C test. I have reached one goal already - the ability to play tag with my son until he gives up, not until I collapse.

I have found there are more downsides to getting fit than I expected. Time, money, and physical effects are all turning out differently than I expected.