Two years a diabetic

I forgot my dates and just remembered that last week was my 2 year diabetic anniversary, if there is such a thing. I know that I was diabetic long before diagnosis, but April 4th 2012 was my diagnosis date. Perhaps what I should say is two years injecting insulin - that's more accurate, I think.

Except without the cake

So, what have I learnt in those two years? It feels like I've learnt more biology and health, diet, physical education in those two years than my nearly 5 years so far in psychology at undergrad and now postgrad level. I guess you pay more attention when its your life on the line. As its my second anniversary, I want to write about two major lessons I've learned about living with type 1 diabetes. This doesn't sound like much, but they cover so much.

1 - You need a holistic approach

You cant deal with type 1 diabetes, or any health condition for that matter, by acting on only a single element. This is why so many type 1's have such bad experiences, because their struggle is only about trying to impossibly balance a high-carb SAD diet, with insulin injections (often two types), regular testing and a lot of stress. Exercise and diet play crucial roles in health. Just because type 1 diabetes is not necessarily caused by being obese, sedentary and eating only pies, chocolate and red bull - but that doesn't mean that living a clean, active life eating good food wont help with the condition. The way I see it is this. There are so many related complications with type 1 diabetes, and I don't want any of them. As I've said more than once, 'I will not be one of those diabetics that looses a foot'. That became a mini-rant, sorry lets return to my main point. Since I started eating primally 90% of the time (completely eliminating grains as a first key objective), and exercising on the 4-day wave, I have reduced my insulin requirements massively. Now I take 5 units/daily basal, and 95% of the time I take 0 bolus units. That's right, most days I only need to inject once. I haven't had a hypo for months - other type 1's know how awesome this is. I am leaner and stronger than ever; down maybe 4% body fat and 4 inches around the waist, with little actual weight loss meaning that my muscle mass has increased greatly as well. In short, taking a holistic approach is the only way to make everything related to your health, and diabetes; awesome. And, do you know what, I love feeling awesome.

How life should be

2 - You have to be prepared to go it alone

This may not be true oprimallyne, but I've found that despite the support of others, you have to be able to make decisions and take charge of your own health. You have to make yourself the accountable person and you alone. I'm not saying don't seek support, but use it wisely. I'll give two examples. My fiancee Claire has been so supporting of my transition into eating and moving primally. But, it is still up to me to maintain this lifestyle. Its still up to me to decline that chocolate cake offered in good faith as I "eat so well the rest of the time". Even with positive reinforcement, you still must recognise your role in keeping yourself healthy. My second example are those people who don't understand, or do but see the way of eating as different and weird (I'm hearing weird a lot at the minute). What you have to accept is the nonacceptance of others. Even though I am by far the healthiest person in my household (despite type 1 diabetes), I am still the one ridiculed as the odd one out. Often it isn't ill-meaning, but there's only so many times I can hear 'just have a sandwich', 'you eat too much meat/fat', 'won't you have a hypo if you don't eat carbs?' and so on. The popular one currently is that I'm off to do my weird exercises again (I refrain from shouting vehemently about that being healthier than sitting in front of the TV for hours straight). Anyway, the point is, whenever you try something new and not within the cultural norms - you will have critics (ironically this may continue when you are the one who is making the healthy choices and suceeding). Its up to you what you do with these critics, and to follow only your own way, the way that works best for you. 

My message is this, whether you receive support and praise, or scepticism and ridicule - its up to you to follow your own best way to health in a holistic way. Its actually quite liberating as now I recognise that I am the responsible, accountable, and master of my own health destiny. For better or worse, its all down to me. 

To all other type 1s, find your way to great health and be awesome.

Respectfully,
Sam