Movie Review: Walking Down Your Blood Sugar

This exercise video features Leslie Sansone who walks you through a two-mile aerobic walk.  The part that relates to diabetes is the pep talk she gives while you are walking.  This includes saying we do not let exercise beat us, but invigorate us.  We are only beaten when we stay on the couch.
I found the two-mile workout more than I could handle.  However, Sheri says she has a DVD with the same concept, which has one to four mile workouts.  I think I can handle the four mile.  Sheri says it is pretty mild.  her walks start slow, then build and then cool down and stretch.  That sounds good. 

Documentary Review: Diabetes: Understanding Your Condition

These are a few ideas from Mayo Clinic.  Take control of your illness and keep it in check so you don't have any of the severe complications.  Complications of diabetes can be minimized by good diabetes care: exercise and look at health holistically.
Some of these long term effects are eye problems, retinopathy is when the blood vessels break, and nerve damage.  Neuropothy is when you feel numb.

Book Review: The Sugar Blockers Diet

The Sugar Blockers Diet: Eat Great; Lose Weight: A Doctor’s 7-Step Plan to Lose Weight, Lower Blood Sugar and Beat Diabetes—While Eating the Carbs You Love, Rob Thompson with the Editors of Prevention 2012.
This is wwat I gleaned from the Sugar Blocker Diet.  Good stuff to eat that will help black the sugar rush in your blood stream when you eat too much starch, like too much potato, rice, bread, corn etc.

Sugar Blockers: Fruit: Apricot, Avocado, Black Berries, Grapefruit, papaya, peach, pear (not quite ripe), raspberries, strawberries and water melon.

Vegetables: sprouts, artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, collard greens, cucumber, dandelion greens, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, peppers, scallions, spinach, tomatoes, water chestnuts, beans, peas,

Other: beans (not all the way done) best is lentils (navy and pinto also good) but all good; nuts, chia seeds best, almond, sunflower seeds hazelnuts; bran; flaxseds; Fiber supplements; Metformin.

Other ideas, fat ½ hour before meal can cause system to digest more slowly, cheese or nuts;

Cinnamon

Vinegar and pickles will create better enzyme balance

Protein with Carbs

Exercise right after eating (20 minute walk) will allow cells to absorb carbs without insulin

Strength based exercise.
One other tid-bit, Metformin can cause diarrhea as a side effect.  I take this medication so something to watch for.

Book Review: Diabetes: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Healthy Living Series

This is a  book of many stories, interspersed with practical advise about diabetes from Dr. Byron Hoogwerf of the Cleveland Clinic.  Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen edit the stories.   I think the most important thing I get from this book is motivation, and realization that diabetes is really a disease I need to worry about, and take care of.  I don't want to be dependent on pills forever.
The stories are repetitive, and tell the story of diabetes from several different angles.  As someone growing up with juvenile diabetes,and the parents or siblings of someone with juvenile diabetes.  
Also as being told as an adult that you have type II diabetes, and the consequences, life changes and what this means.  The doctor explains some of the things to be aware of in terms of taking care of you health when you have diabetes.
I enjoyed this book, but more than the practical information, I enjoyed the motivational stories presented. It is decision time.  (Isn't it great that we can so many decision times.)

Health As I See It: Diabetic Health: Where I Am At

This is my reaction and self report of an article from Every Day Health called "Seven 'Must Dos' to Improve You Diabetic Health."
It first indicates decisions with regards to eating healthy, being active, taking your medication, and maintaining a positive attitude are important.  In then gives seven ideas as to how to do this:
Say "Bye Bye" to Diets:  By this they are saying that portion control and switching a few foods for healthier foods should be all that is needed.  Too often we diet, and then gain back more than we lost.  I generally follow this principle, but have some issues with portion control.  However I have avoided for the most part any bounce back, and over the last several years my weight is down twenty pounds and stayed there.  I would like to loss some more however.  My next goal is 259.
Get "the Skinny" on Fat:  They point out that diets too high in carbs are not really that great (especially diabetics,)  It is OK to eat healthy proteins and fats.
Shun "Made for Diabetics" Food: Special foods are usually not food for you.  Read an article on Facebook about artificial sweeteners that was scary.  Natural and whole grain foods are the best.
Know How to Prevent or Delay Diabetic Complications:  This is talking about self inspection of feet, wearing shoes, frequent foot and eye exams.  But most importantly it is talking about maintaining your blood sugar numbers.  My afternoon blood count is usually pretty good.  However my morning is not where it should be.
Find and Activity that Fits You  I enjoy basketball, but rarely play.  I also like to walk, when I have energy.  I stopped playing basketball when my shoulder hurt.  It is doing better so I need to get back into playing.
Keep Track of your Medicines and Supplies:  When I take my medicines correctly, my blood sugar numbers are better.  I usually do well, but sometimes forget p.m. pills especially on weekends.
Know that YOU are the most Important Member of your Medical Team:  I know this.  Diabetes clinic wanted to schedule with me and I never called back.  My goal is to follow through with this.