My diabetes was out of control and I had 3 doctor appointments in two weeks . It all started with my Primary Care Doc telling me that my A1C was high and had remained high so I needed to see a diabetes specialist to determine if I had Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes . I apparently was showing signs of both . Then I met with a Diabetes specialist and she put me on the Blood Glucose Meter twice a day, carb counting diet, with no cheat days / No Cheat Meals and by the book, she gave me this book that tells you the carbs in just about everything there is to eat . My limits are 45 carbs per meal / 3 meals a day and 15 carbs / snack 3 snacks / day .
Now for those of you that don't know I've been a vegetarian for the last 5 years so I don't eat meat and I eat Veggies in everything . No more Pizza, No more French Fries, no more Doritos so basically no more of my favorite foods I was to eat Salads twice a day and count every carb .
This is where the depression started, my whole life changed in the span of a few minutes sitting in a doctor's office . My life was over as I knew it and I didn't know how to handle it . For the next 3 or 4 days I was miserable, angry at the world and just unable to process what was happening to me for some reason .
I went to the final appointment in this string of appointments to see a diabetes dietitian and I did my homework, I made a lost of every single thing I eat, the portions and the carbs per serving as well as started to log my sugar, carb and water intake in a book along with my Blood Glucose Levels after she complimented me on my work she threw me for a leap and said something to me that changed everything she said "You need to remember two things #1 Yes you have diabetes and #2 You're still human." She then explained what she meant by that. she said "You have diabetes but you will have days where you eat more then 45 carbs in a meal and it's okay but try not to exceed 50 carbs too often." She completely endorsed a "Cheat Day" or "Cheat Meal" once a week because again I'm human .
She stressed exercise, proper diet and keeping my Blood Glucose Level in check were the keys to wining this fight . If there's one thing I know how to do it's fight and I decided right then and there that I was gonna pick myself up off the ground, dust myself off and kick diabetes in balls and take my life back ! I was born 7 weeks early way back in 1978 and almost died twice I've been a fighter since the day I was born and this battle will be no different .
I'm now in a much better place mentally, physically and emotionally then I have been in years . I walk every day anywhere from 2 - 9 miles a day I'm starting tai chi classes this week and I'm learning to use Escrima Sticks as part of my exercise program .
I'm focused on my health and being around for my wife and kids for as long as I can be, Every time I get mad about eating another salad I think about my kids and how hard it would be for them if I were gone and I make that salad and eat with a smile on my face .
This whole situation has reminded me of something that "Diamond" Dallas Page said a few years ago that being "Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent of how you react to it." that quote means so much to me in my daily life that I got a tattoo to remind myself of this .
Now that I have come to terms with the the changes that are needed in my life I understand that changes have to be made to my lifestyle and my work life. I have figured out ways to have my favorite things like Pizza I eat a slice and have a large salad with it, if I want Doritos I make taco salad or nachos and put meatless hamburg or meatless chicken on them with Taco seasoning, tomatoes , lettuce and black olives (optional) . I can make this work if I'm smart and think about things . Ever problem has a solution you just have to be willing to put the work in to find it .
Changing my work life has been just as difficult because now I have to stop working to make a salad, cook my lunch, and check my blood Glucose Level, that's the hard part for me is stopping the work day to do these things . I'm working on getting The Vengeful One off the ground with auditions and I'm writing a Top Secret Project that will memorialize my late brother forever and it's something that is going to take it's toll on me on many levels but I'm committed to making this project happen and making it the best it can possibly be .
It's been a struggle for the last month but I'm happy to say that I think I've got the eating schedule figured out and my BGL has been basically on point with a couple minor glitches along the way .
Through all of this I've learned alot about myself and I think that's important because I'm learning that I have alot of fight in me as long as I stay focused on what it is I'm fighting for and that of course is to be around to see my kids grow up and make a million more memories with my wife .
I'll leave you with this thought, remember no matter what happens to you in life there is no problem that can't be solved you simply have to be willing to put n the work to solve it.
Stay Humble, Stay Hungry My Friends :)