Where Do I Start?

I often get asked what got me into this line of work... why do I seem to know so much... or why do I even care?

Well, each of those questions has a very simple answer and that's because it's all personal experience. So since I'm asked, I have decided to put my journey down in writing, the best that I can so everyone can understand, this journey is possible. Anyone can do it.

Yes, it takes time, commitment and a lot of desire. What it doesn't take is luck or finding a whole list of shortcuts to get you to a desired goal.

So Where Did I Start?

Many diabetics,  pre-diabetic or even those with just a food allergy, we all have the same problem(s) the day of diagnosis

.

What is it?  It's simple, what can I eat? 

But up until that day, well we also have known something is wrong. After all, why do you think we finally broke down and went to the doctor? Or if it's like many of us, how many hands do I need to count fingers on, how many times or how many doctors have I went to and just how many times have I tried to get someone to believe me when I say something's wrong?

The very first thing I want everyone to understand, if you know something is not right within your body, you've seen a doctor...and then again and maybe again and you are still being told there's nothing wrong, then go again anyway. Preferably, now you need to find a new doctor, one who is more willing to listen to you. After all, you've already figured out those other(s) are not going to try to help.

My feelings,  if they've only got 7-12 minutes to talk to you the patient, you're at the wrong doctor anyway!

There actually is physicians out there which understand a twelve minute appointment is not enough time to diagnosis a possible hidden condition. So, don''t become discouraged. Just persevere and find someone else who is willing to try to help. 

Here's Where It Began

I've lived with diabetes and food sensitivities in my life ever since I was young enough to understand something was going on. Why is all of my family and my relatives are always sick? As I got older, I was just determined,  I was going to find a way all of this skipped right over me.

Well, it didn't. Then I spent a couple of decades wandering from doctor to doctor, clinic to clinic, then specialist to specialist... they all seemed to have another name, another person who could probably come up with something they never did. And yet, all of this time I just kept getting worse.

 See, the biggest problem with that statement, in my family, most of my relatives were already dead before they made it to 50 years of age. At least I got there and I was still breathing. Quite a few times I wished maybe I wasn't, after all, did everyday have to be this much pain and all of this misery? 

My turning point came on the day I found Holistic medicine. The only reason I found it... I gave my current conventional medicine physician an ultimatum that day. With a whole lot of pressure which I placed on her that last day, I told her I want something new, something which stands a chance, and something I can possibly find a way to fit into my life. (That's the dressed up version of our last conversation) After all, the desire, plenty of it was there. I was just never shown the correct roadmap for me.

That particular day, I left conventional medicine and started utilizing the teachings of alternative medicine.

Did it work? You better believe it did!!! I am off of everything.

At the same time, I have also cleared up many of the food and environmental allergies/sensitivities I have had to several unwelcome conditions. I do not need one single drug anymore. Some people eat candy like M&M's. I ate drugs like M&M's. Then add in the syringes, insulin bottles plus a few other assorted "gadgets" to attempt to keep me the diabetic/ food allergic individual "living healthy". There was nothing healthy in that, my current horrible existence.

Check back in a few days for the next chapter on my road to recovery, how I started it, the changes I made and how results were achieved from a few changes I was willing to make in my life. If you would like, check over at my website, all the information is there. Pick and choose the parts which pertain to you and get yourself started back on the road to healthy living.

Reduce Insulin Resistance Before the Holidays Effectively.

As the holiday season approaches, there will be parties to attend, families to entertain and celebrations all around. All of these involve food to some degree and that may present a problem for those of us with insulin resistance. As you know, insulin resistance is a metabolic syndrome in which the body doesn't use insulin effectively. Left unchecked, glucose levels build up, increasing the risks of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

But you don't have to let insulin resistance get the better of you. With some tricks, you can reduce or even reverse insulin resistance before the holiday season. By learning these simple but effective ways to tame insulin resistance, you're also better equiped to deal with the festive milieu of "Let's eat, sit around and be merry."

Here's how:
Eat Wisely
Food choices matter. To keep your blood glucose levels from spiking, eat whole foods that are high in fiber and nutrients. Think limited quantities of whole grains, lean quality proteins, colorful fruits and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, and HEALTHY saturated or unsaturated fats like omega-3 fatty acids. Foods that are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants  also help to keep insulin resistance under control. And then the golden rule for insulin resistance--eat smaller portions (also helps to manage weight) at regular intervals. Never let yourself get so starved you will eat anything in sight.
Exercise
Since exercise expends energy, it helps to keep blood glucose levels from spiking. Regular exercise also reduces central body fat and improves sugar metabolism. It may be difficult to get into an exercise routine, so why not start slow? Even a slow 10-minute walk twice a day after eating will start to show you improvement. Gradually, build up your exercise momentum as time and endurance allow. Ideally, most health experts suggest at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. But by starting slow and keeping up with the routine, you'll easily get there before you know it.
Stress
Stress plays a pivotal role in blood glucose fluctuations. When the blood glucose level is out of whack, it can aggravate insulin resistance. Since the holiday season may sometimes bring about stress, be prepared and take necessary steps to develop activities that offer relaxation such as walking the dog, the slow and easy movements in some forms of yoga, a gentle massage, listening to some music or even just a relaxing hot bath. Find what works for you, is convenient, and give yourself a little bit of pampering every single day.
 
Developing these healthy habits before the holiday season will greatly increase your chance of keeping insulin resistance in check. Work on making these tricks a way of life and then you don't have to worry about derailing when the holiday season comes into full swing.

Have you found any foolproof methods which have helped you, or another family member, to keep you on track to better health by managing your insulin resistance?