Life after burnout

pavlosn

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Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
Sea of Gold
This photograph has not been retouched in any way, the colours really were like that, the effect of the rising sun this morning.
766428c8dc9326cbdfb72c6cda773c8e.jpg


Missing it already!

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pavlosn

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Feeling quite proud of myself for getting myself up early this morning and going for a walk.

My first proper morning walk for over a year.

Effectively this is the next phase of my self designed recovery plan.

"There is a recovery plan?" I hear you ask. Not one set out on paper, maybe not even a conscious one but I realize now that there is a plan.

A plan designed to help me build the healthy habits I know I must adopt to recover and one that I see now is phased to also allow me to face my fears.

I could not just flick a switch and go overnight from doing nothing about my health to full on health regime.

Phase one was to stop further damage by getting the blood sugars down as fast as possible. That meant being meticulous about taking medication, changing to a low(ish) carb diet and metering/monitoring my glucose.

This I implemented immediately.

A positive side effect of this is that I took up my mother's offer to cook lunch for me on workdays. An arrangement that has benefits for both of us. I get a tasty healthy meal ready for me and get to see more of my mother and it also gives my mother something to focus on. She is a widow, living on her own since my dad passed away two years ago this month.

The next step was to reinforce my support network and commitment to change. This is where you and thus forum came in. It may seem strange to sum that I post so many photographs on this site that have nothing to do with diabetes. Why do I do that? I guess partly because I am a keen amateur photographer and get pleasure out of taking and sharing them. But also I need to associate his forum and by extention diabetes with something positive.

The next phase is to try and built my fitness back. This is were the walking comes in.

I have lost so much muscle and I am feeling so unfit that I was dreading doing this to be honest. What if I can no longer do this? What if it is not just lack of fitness but a sign of internal damage? That is why I was delaying this and that is why today I feel proud that I faced up to it.

I walked 4,2 km in 50 minutes. Compared to two years ago, snail's pace. But it's a start!

I need to build up my aerobic fitness and if possible put back some of the lost muscle. I hate weight training but at some point I will have to do this. For now I will concentrate on walking and swimming.

I always take my phone along when walking and I am on the lookout for anything interesting to photograph.

Today it was these pomegranate fruit

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pavlosn

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I can't tell you how much I hate people I meet congratulating me for all the weight I have lost.

I know they are just being kind and making small talk but I hate it nonetheless.

I feel like telling them that I did not lose it that diabetes took it from me.

Only I don't of course.

I just smile and stay silent.

And feel like a complete hypocrite

And a complete fool.

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ickihun

Master
Messages
13,698
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Insulin
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Bullies
You make this fellow diabetic very hapoy with your morning walk pics. Very serene.
Thank you.

Don't worry about lost weight. It always finds it's way home, eventually.
Keep eating healthy and the rest will follow!
 
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pavlosn

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
884a932beddbd29420c38eccf58805cf.jpg


One step at a time....

And then another, and another.

We know that this is what dealing with diabetes is about. No spectacular victories just a long slog of small wins.

The important thing is to keep at it. Not to give up, not to let your guard down.

I had to remind myself of this today as following a night of little sleep the temptation was to stay in bed a bid longer rather than go for a morning walk.

Thankfully guilt got the better of me so I just complete another 4,25 km walk. Knocked a whole of 2 minutes off yesterday's time as well.

It was not easy though. I set out a whole two hours later than I did yesterday, which in Nicosia in August is not a wise thing to do. It makes the difference between walking in a pleasant 22 degrees centigrade and a much warmer 27. By noon the temperature will be in the high 30s or low 40s!

You can get an idea of how harsh the sun is by the strength of the shadows in these photos

bc5f59fbdb92ad1f1d9661dff143acc3.jpg


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I guess my faster pace was the result of me wanting to get out of the sun as fast as possible

Still had time to admire a couple of things along the way:

Bougainvillea in bloom in my neighbours garden

cad4a6f0a4c3f8155b6e56d7aa3daeee.jpg


Prickly pears

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Opuntia is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. The most common culinary species is the Indian fig opuntia. Most culinary uses of the term "prickly pear" refer to this species.

Morning glucose count 5,8 by the way, which is OK

Have a great day. It's Friday!

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pavlosn

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Woke up to 5,9 mmol (107ng) this morning. After going to bed at 5,7 mmol (102mg) last night I was hoping to see my first sub 100 mg fasting count but this does not really spoil my mood.

Last night was a friend's birthday, an old classmates and honestly I can not remember when I last had such a good time - and all without driving a drop of alcohol.

We were invited to their summer house, an old stone built affair in a sleepy village up in the mountains about a forty five minutes drive away from Nicosia. The village's current population is nine people!

Roofs of the village
00a502c4d58f2e71e2baaa8aeb27fb44.jpg


Growing vines like this provided fruit and plenty of summer shade for this house's veranda

016b54e40c53621ce4c13a09072d555e.jpg


97003f51dc71f3dba5238d1885003f57.jpg


Stairway to heaven
7e2e6d2c331b79a71bf8aed5f9885ad4.jpg


These old super-sized earthen jars were used to store wine or olive oil. Now used decoratively only

c7d6dbd04386e875a98fc118e2fa430c.jpg


The house
8aa546cf40e00f1f3bcb920134dbea8e.jpg


be346c64d3ccd5a992d1ac64e21b8aa6.jpg


Being greeted by Leyla the dog
8deb100b90eac28649e9520394b9925d.jpg


Old traditional oven in the yard
9ffaf4344f64f13efd9badf874f2bc1b.jpg


Cherry tomatoes freshly picked off the plant, they smelled and tasted amazing

21e697e5a2f7d4b290ed31be42d0a892.jpg


020f09a574b09fd25dd3704de82358f3.jpg


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The amazingly colorful spread of food on offer. Unfortunately most of it off limits but definetely not all!
0d0dce2b3113b63d2c5ae6cb6bd4697a.jpg


Barbecue grilled haloumi cheese, lovely

75aaf6223249fdcdd20cc573fe408bbf.jpg


Plenty of barbecued meat to satisfy the most carnivorous amongst us

5af0618185ca5884ebfe5860381acaf9.jpg


But what made the night really special was the music, my friend and his cousin play the guitar and we were treated to a five our live show of unplugged Greek songs. All the old classics, most of them written before I was born but still extremely popular. I am not known for my singing voice but this was about having fun, not a talent show, so I happily joined in with the singing.

1d30b4b5294f69d46ba43914b3029fd7.jpg


The home-made chocolate cake looked amazing but I sadly I had to give it a miss along with the garden grown figs.

5c7e71a762aa26e67b8e58485789c911.jpg



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bkr

Well-Known Member
Messages
162
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hats of to you, I have felt like that on occasion too, your honesty is brill. I think it can be hard sometimes as most folk on here seem to be very strong when it comes to making the right food choices, and looking after themselves.
Testing regularly makes a lot of sense, frustratingly I noticed on my test strips the label from the doctor said to test once or twice a week, unrealistic faith on their part or lack of understanding/care, I cant decide which.
 

pavlosn

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
This weekend has been a bid of a struggle.

I seem to have both lost my appetite and be suffering from indigestion.

We are back in Protaras so I can let the surroundings be a welcome distruction
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Swimming helps as well.

Bright colors of these summer goods on offer at the corner shop helps lifts my spirits as well

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D

debrasue

Guest
Woke up to 5,9 mmol (107ng) this morning. After going to bed at 5,7 mmol (102mg) last night I was hoping to see my first sub 100 mg fasting count but this does not really spoil my mood.

Last night was a friend's birthday, an old classmates and honestly I can not remember when I last had such a good time - and all without driving a drop of alcohol.

We were invited to their summer house, an old stone built affair in a sleepy village up in the mountains about a forty five minutes drive away from Nicosia. The village's current population is nine people!

Roofs of the village
00a502c4d58f2e71e2baaa8aeb27fb44.jpg


Growing vines like this provided fruit and plenty of summer shade for this house's veranda

016b54e40c53621ce4c13a09072d555e.jpg


97003f51dc71f3dba5238d1885003f57.jpg


Stairway to heaven
7e2e6d2c331b79a71bf8aed5f9885ad4.jpg


These old super-sized earthen jars were used to store wine or olive oil. Now used decoratively only

c7d6dbd04386e875a98fc118e2fa430c.jpg


The house
8aa546cf40e00f1f3bcb920134dbea8e.jpg


be346c64d3ccd5a992d1ac64e21b8aa6.jpg


Being greeted by Leyla the dog
8deb100b90eac28649e9520394b9925d.jpg


Old traditional oven in the yard
9ffaf4344f64f13efd9badf874f2bc1b.jpg


Cherry tomatoes freshly picked off the plant, they smelled and tasted amazing

21e697e5a2f7d4b290ed31be42d0a892.jpg


020f09a574b09fd25dd3704de82358f3.jpg


ae6cdae354efc98924ee6497ef0b17b0.jpg


The amazingly colorful spread of food on offer. Unfortunately most of it off limits but definetely not all!
0d0dce2b3113b63d2c5ae6cb6bd4697a.jpg


Barbecue grilled haloumi cheese, lovely

75aaf6223249fdcdd20cc573fe408bbf.jpg


Plenty of barbecued meat to satisfy the most carnivorous amongst us

5af0618185ca5884ebfe5860381acaf9.jpg


But what made the night really special was the music, my friend and his cousin play the guitar and we were treated to a five our live show of unplugged Greek songs. All the old classics, most of them written before I was born but still extremely popular. I am not known for my singing voice but this was about having fun, not a talent show, so I happily joined in with the singing.

1d30b4b5294f69d46ba43914b3029fd7.jpg


The home-made chocolate cake looked amazing but I sadly I had to give it a miss along with the garden grown figs.

5c7e71a762aa26e67b8e58485789c911.jpg



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What beautiful pictures!
We have spent many happy family holidays in Cyprus (mainly in the hills near Peiya and around the Akamas peninsula) and your pictures instantly evoked the warmth of both the country and the people. We still have friends living there, but it's been quite a while since we last visited and I miss it!
You are doing really well with your T2, though, because I imagine it's not an easy country in which to avoid delicious carbs and desserts, although you do have a fantastic choice of meat, fruit and vegetables.
Oh, I wish I was there now.....
Cyprus June 2007 139 (800x600).jpg
 
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pavlosn

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2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
@debrasue glad you are enjoying the photos and hope you get to visit Cyprus again soon. Paphos is a very nice part of the country but as it is the furthest part to get to from Nicosia, my hometown, it is not a part I visit often.

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pavlosn

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
8b84a34ace35d8ed3e2862a41916072e.jpg


It's Monday morning but I find myself stretching the weekend as much as possible by deciding to return to Nicosia and work today instead of last night as perhaps we should.

It is only an hour's drive and I can't resist the chance of one more morning swim.
a1cba9c45ca01c658113864d69ba2fc4.jpg


I justify it to myself on medical grounds.

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This place is good for my diabetes!

ee93de051c5c9a4100992908154d2ba5.jpg



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pavlosn

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Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
I seem to have gone down a size in trousers over the last two weeks. Some size 36 pairs I bought in New York recently, now look too big on me.

At the same time, the scales only show a weight loss of half a kilo, to 89kg. According to my BMI, I am still overweight, my maximum normal weight being 85 kg.

I chose to read both of these facts as good developments. Fat is lighter than muscle, so hopefully I have been substituting one for the other, or at least not losing more muscle.

My diabetes has been well controlled over this period so it must be the diet and exercise working!

7c2eda92a5c25f658efc74329aebad76.jpg




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I could not resist taking this last photo of this young family, even if it was a bit naughty of me to do so without permission. They are not recognisable though and it is such an idyllic scene.

09732a3f40590105b88018382a967990.jpg
 
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D

debrasue

Guest
@debrasue glad you are enjoying the photos and hope you get to visit Cyprus again soon. Paphos is a very nice part of the country but as it is the furthest part to get to from Nicosia, my hometown, it is not a part I visit often.

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I certainly am enjoying the photos - and that's another gorgeous batch this morning - and they make Cyprus feel a little bit closer. Nicosia is a place we have yet to visit, but somehow, once I'm up in the mountains, watching the lizards flick across the rocks, the sun glittering on the bay far below, and listening to the call of the goatherd, the tinkling of bells, the lazy buzz of the cicadas in the heat of the afternoon, the bees humming in the lavender, and watching the sun glittering on the bay far below, well... it's hard to leave! I can well imagine how hard it must be for you to leave Protaras...
 
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pavlosn

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2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
Woke up covered in sweat this morning, which should not happen with the air conditioning on.

Massive headache too and sugar somewhat elevated at 6.7

Decided that the walk can wait until this evening. If I am coming down with something I don't want to make things worse.

So no fresh photos this morning.

Here are some more from yesterday

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debrasue

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Woke up covered in sweat this morning, which should not happen with the air conditioning on.

Massive headache too and sugar somewhat elevated at 6.7

Decided that the walk can wait until this evening. If I am coming down with something I don't want to make things worse.

So no fresh photos this morning.

Here are some more from yesterday

cc2d3b850f4d5abdebe13631ce06c3cb.jpg


8dc71edbeb2fb099783d6da5ed789ed7.jpg


da10a65cc12ac9481e8fd4f394041a36.jpg


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Hope you feel better soon!
 
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pavlosn

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Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
Went to the in laws for dinner last night. So all the wrong food for me, carbs everywhere, even the salad had boiled potatoes in it.

Ate it, as not to would have meant having to go into a whole discussion on the state of my health that I would rather have avoided.

Woke up at 7,4 this morning after going to sleep at 8,6 last night. My highest numbers for a while. But the worse is that eating carbs food makes me feel hungry more quickly for some reason. Not a nice feeling.

As I get out for a walk this morning, the help is mowing the grass.

ffaa66a73712e165985bb173f1f1d973.jpg


I stop and enjoy the smell, one of my all time favorites.

The garden is not looking at its best. It never does in August. Scorching summer temperatures see to it.

I make a note to myself to do something about it when things get a bit cooler





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pavlosn

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Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
Last few days have been a real struggle. I am feeling without energy and have difficulty concentrating, have headaches and sensitive stomach/reduced appetite. I am very irritable and short of patience. Could all this be the effect of the reduced carb intake? This is beginning to take its toll.

I am not craving carbs in any way to be honest but I hate feeling so flat.

People I beginning to notice my changed mood.

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DCUKMod

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@pavlosn - Are you taking on board enough fluids?

Some folks feel a bit headachy-tired-grumpy if they're a little dehydrated. Dropping the carbs often needs a slight increase in fluid intake, plus your walking in the heat, could make it worthwhile upping the water a bit, maybe with a bit of salt too, for a few days to see if it helps?
 
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