Last October, after a routine visit to a Veteran’s outpatient clinic about a bothersome ache in my index finger, I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Routine because I wasn’t expecting news about anything other than why my finger was aching. Blood pressure checks are routine and when they checked mine before I talked with the doctor about my finger they noticed it was rather high – around 170 / 90 or so (the bottom number may have been a bit higher, I don’t quite remember).
After checking my finger (which eventually led to an appointment with a specialist about radial tunnel syndrome) the doctor asked about my lifestyle habits and notified me of my high blood pressure. She ordered blood work and sent me home with a blood pressure checker. After a week of monitoring my blood pressure, I saw that something needed to be done! What surprised me was the fact that I had no clue and didn’t realize that a double, and sometimes triple, whopper with cheese every now and then, and a couple of sugary Ski sodas a day, and chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate was leading to what could turn out to be type 2 diabetes.
Yes, I was a dummy! I should’ve realized what I was doing to myself. I guess that’s why they call it “the silent killer.”
Please do yourself a favor, if you’re not already, and begin watching what you’re eating and limit, or better yet, eliminate all the junk food from your diet! Thank the good Lord I have an exceptionally talented cook for a wife! Without her cooking (and her help monitoring what I ate) I know it would have been a much more difficult struggle for me!
I had a six-month check up the other day and my doctor said I could be a poster child for those wanting to make healthy lifestyle changes! My bad cholesterol plummeted to almost normal levels from last October till now,my blood pressure has returned to almost normal (137/80), and I’ve lost almost 20 pounds (from 186 to 167). All of that without medications! And you can do it too if you’re determined! GET STARTED NOW!!
What’s your reward? Two words: BETTER HEALTH!
TC Conner Photography 
7 replies on “What is your reward?”
I watch my intake on the foods and beverages!! Yes, it’s very imperative to watch our health!!
Do you give yourself a reward when you reach a certain goal Ms. Shandra?
Well, part of my reward is in my bedroom closet — my Sunday suits and sundresses that are in sizes 10 – 12!! 🙂
Good for you. Those are hard life-style habits to change, although I long ago gave up eating Whoppers and Big Macs. I have yet to conquer my appetite for chocolate and for ice cream. Damn!
It wasn’t hard Doobs, once determination set in! On the other hand, giving up chocolate for Lent is killing me!!
I’m pretty sure you just saw how good I was looking and how much weight I had lost. And then you said to yourself, “I wanna be that guy”! I’m so proud of you dad, I really am!
That’s exactly what I said to myself! Thanks son! You really do inspire me to take better care of myself!