Ashamed of myself!

Thanks you guys for replying, I read all the articles suggested and actually copied the Lets Just Practice one so I can pull it out for support when I feel I really need it, it really made me think about alot of ways to help myself.

         I am extremely touched that all of you care and sent me info to help me,I just hope that other people find this site, it is definately the most useful tool i've come across for diabetes. I am going to make a flyer to promote this site and leave it in the

diabetes education ward of  the medical clinic I go to.

                        Roxy

Thanks it helps to know that someone understands, I have the biggest problem with food, I'm always hungry and grab the junkfood because it's so easily available, I just bought a diabetes cookbook today so hopefully I will make use of it, I can't wait to go grocery shopping for real food and not junkfood!

        What do you buy for groceries, any suggestions I should try.

                Roxy

Jess and Roxy,

I grew up being very athletic and in those days we didn't use blood glucose meters.  So I never tested, but my athleticism balanced out the imperfect world of a teen.  When I got into my 20s I was not as athletic and often reckless.  I hated eating, but when lows hit a chocolate bar was an answer!  I still get extremely tired of food.  I've always quipped that God gave me diabetes to keep me from being anorexic!  For food and recipes look at foodfit.com for information too.  It's s sister site.

Over the years, I've learned the my vanity is actually a great motivation for taking care of my diabetes!  I'm 44 now and own a wellness center.  We offer acupuncture, rolfing, massage, chiropractic care, biofeedback, yoga, pilates and more!  Most people are stunned at how young I look(genetics) and how great my body looks(yoga, hiking, running, massage, etc)!  It took me a while to figure it all out, but I was just as confused about how to take care of myself at your age! 

Awareness is the first step to change.  Your eyes are open and you have so many choices! There is nothing you can't do!  Some sites to inspire your imagination:

Will Cross Mountaineer

Gary Hall Olympic swimmer

Sean Busby Snowboarder

Missy Foy Ultra marathoner

Monique Hanley cyclist

These guys are the top of the heap!  I don't aspire to be them, but they remind me that if they can work that hard and take that much control to succeed, basic control for a steady, healthy life isn't nearly as complicated as I think!  Look for Leighton's blog as well.  He's another perosn living with diabetes who has done some inspiring things!  He's the guest blogger on this site now.  His blog went up yesterday!

You both have so much to offer everyone here.  Friendship, compassion and most importantly experience for how to change bad into great to other kids who are on this same journey!   

I am looking forward to seeing more from both of you!  Ann 

PS. Ginger is my hero!  Her sense of compassion and understanding is mind boggling!  You have found someone who genuinely understands and cares. 

Thanks Ann, I guess I found another person to look up to, I really appreciate all your advise and I hope to read more, I'm keeping evert comment that is posted to me for inspiration, all of you have helped me so much more than you could ever imagine in such a short time since I've joined this site!

I said before and many times that I don't care what anyone over a certain age has to say about diabetes, the reason for that is because it's all been negative, like that's what I have to look foreward to in my fourties and older, to the point that for so long I stopped caring about my health, I thought what is the point if I'm going to have complications, but now I'm starting to realize that it's in my hands and I dont have to be like some people, my dad is going to be 63 next year and he was diagnosed at 21 and he has taken care of himself and is doing so great. He worked construction all his life and he still gets out there on basement floors, the younger guys in their teens can't even keep up with him!

Ann I saw a photo of you and read your bio on the adult site and you have given me so much hope, you look awsome, and are obviously very healthy and active.

I went to see a therapist that specializes in young diabetic girls, she set up an appointment for me to see a mentor, this lady has had diabetes since birth, she is in her fifties and she runs every morning in all weather conditions, she is another inspiration to me for now and when I am older.

I just want to get a certain lady out of my head I think she is one of the reasons I made myself wake up and want to start taking responsability for my health and future.

This lady was customer in a store I worked at, she was severely over weight, in a wheel chair and would literally whine about her diabetes, she would try to make anyone who would listen to her feel sorry for her, she'd complain about her complications while she was rolling around in her wheel chair with a huge pail of ice cream and chocolate chip cookies sitting in her lap. I realized that I was on the path to be like her, maybe she started off like me but didn't feel worthy of herself to seek help, or maybe it just wasn't available to her when she was my age, or maybe she didn't know how to get it, I sure didn't.

Please Ann keep sending me anything you want I take it all so seriously, I need hope and something to look foreward to.

Roxy

Roxy,

Your story about both the woman who runs every morning and the overweight woman in the store are so powerful, because as I think you've already realized, it means we all have a choice, right?

We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves, neglect our diabetes, eat junk food for years, become overweight, inactive and really unhealthy.

OR

...we can make really good choices! It doesn't mean we have to be perfect alllll the time (I ate ice cream yesterday, by the way, gladly :)

....but it does mean that we can make really good choices most of the time and really benefit, really take care of ourselves and live happily and healthfully, just like anyone with or without diabetes!

It's funny, even people without diabetes can be just as severely neglectful of their bodies. I am more active than any of my friends and they don't have diabetes. It can't keep us (you and me) from accomplishing ANYTHING.

-Ginger

Well I normally buy like Lean Cuisine meals or SmartOnes meals. They may not seem like they taste good, but they really do!

Hi Shelby, diabeteens is definately one of the better sites for info and support. My diabetes control has gotten a bit better, although I still have alot of improving to do with my diet but it is getting there, I really want to be healthy and am working very hard at it, I did slip a little this week and bought some junkfood and felt really sick from it after, I think because my body is getting used to healthy stuff. I would love to stay in touch with you, we can get healthier" together" the support I have found really makes a huge difference. I really thought that I was the only one going through this,it made me feel pathetic and ashamed, my self-esteem dropped so low for a long time I distanced myself from my friends, I feel I dont have much in common wiyh yhem anymore, especially since I dont drink alcohol at all anymore, it just made my blood sugar to high and one time I fainted from high blood sugar and my friens just thought I was drunk and passed out, I could have died, they all know I have diabetes but they just dont understand, actually there is alot they dont understand about this disease.

I've decided I need to meet some people my age, that understand and are facing the same frusterations that i am, I went onto the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA)web site to find youth support groups I've also asked my cde to help me find seminars etc that would be of interest to me, I am planning on joining Team Diabetes supported by the CDA, and training for a marathon-a running marathon not a walking!! I think for me to get my butt moving with some cardio and strenghth training Team Diabetes will be the motivation I need I just dont seem to have it in me to workout just to workout unfortunately.

I am sure if you went on to the American Diabetes website you will find support groups and camps too, I 'm not sure how old you are but most camps go up to 16 years and under, I am over 16, but really want to go to camp so I might volunteer at a diabetes camp for youth in the summer.

Find out from your cde where in your area you can go to some support groups, camps, seminars, and get a mentor!! My cde hooked me up with my mentor, a very energetic spunky woman in her mid fifties with diabetes since birth, she does her mentoring at the pharmacy at Wal-Mart every second Tuesday, maybe your Wal-Mart has something similar.

I am still learning as I go but feel free to message me anytime you feel the need to complain, whine, cry, scream or need support, and if you learned any new tips or tricks about how to manage this disease do share as will I!

Be strong!

Roxy