Seamisty

My healthy habits journey began when I was 22, learned I was type 2 diabetic, lost 50 lbs. (22kg), and started driving a tractor-trailer (artic) across the US. I do the metric translation for ease of clarity to my UK friends.

I spent many years diet-controlled, then out of whack, then many years on metformin, then nothing..

When I met my wife, she was horrified to see my diabetes unchecked and started helping me with better food choices. We were both raw vegan for two years and my blood sugars leveled to an average 120 mg/dl (6.7 mmol/l). I was happy, energized, and felt wonderful.

Then I moved from an isolated Montana to populated Pennsylvania, where there were many restaurants, group gatherings, and opportunities for non-raw foods. There were no raw food restaurants nor many choices except iceberg lettuce salads, guacamole, some mixed green salads, etc. So I ate more of SAD (Standard American Diet), with some exceptions (sometimes added fresh juices, mostly stayed away from sugary foods, no sugary drinks, gluten-free).

My doctor was disturbed to see my a1c #s climbing. I heard of keto diet and decided to try it. My #s came down a little and I lost some weight (has been pretty steady between 170-190 lbs. (77-86 kg). I was off medication until recently.

I had a persistent sore on my great toe, started treatment in 2015 with a podiatrist. I started on insulin in 2018. In March of 2020 I left school (culinary arts) early for a podiatrist visit (school was dismissed later that day amid covid-19 concerns). My doctor immediately admitted me to the hospital for an infection in my toe. They recommended amputation, which I refused, and I spent the next five days in hospital. They did a surgery that tested my bone for infection which turned out negative.

I went home for a six week round of antibiotics. I was also on both long-acting and short-acting insulin, told I would be on medication for the rest of my life, and fully expected to continue a downhill path, health-wise, according to typical expectations.

However, I am not a person who gives up easily. I found a new podiatrist with a different approach, more attention to me and my needs. My toe is almost fully healed.

I had to decide what path I wanted to follow. I could go back to raw vegan diet/lifestyle. I was not ready to do that.

So, here I am, after a little push from my sweet wife, on the Newcastle diet, or my version of it, counting calories, carbs, fat, nutrients, etc.

I have meal replacement shakes, fresh green juice, broth, and veggies, mostly brassicas (kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli), and salads. I make my own dressings (my fav is pear infused vinegar, nama shoyu, and a little bit of olive and hemp oil).

I am excited to be on this journey and I know I am on the right track.