Neil_B

This episode is a sign of future trouble for the OP. As you say, it's not that difficult when at home to find healthier things to eat. How about when he's driving all day? That's going to be the test.

dcrowell

Question judgment? Sure. He was being lambasted pretty badly early in the thread. Thankfully that has subsided a bit.

What clyde here hasn't had a bad day like that?

Neil_B

I don't think the comments were out of line. I've been called worse. :-)

CraigB

Regardless of whether respondents' reactions are reasonable or mean, what could one possibly expect when posting a confession like that? I doubt Allen wanted a pat on the back. If he did, he's got other problems besides diabetes.

sstorkel

Obviously, this is something he needs to discuss with whoever is treating his diabetes. I will say, however, that the ability to do simple division is all that's necessary to treat high blood sugar using insulin. Millions of Type 1 diabetics do it every day...

Yeah, I've been following along: he was denied the right to drive a truck due to his diabetes a few weeks/months ago, now he's found a company with a more lenient doctor who's willing to put him on the road. While sitting at home with lots of healthy options available, he eats enough unhealthy food to elevate his blood sugar to potentially harmful levels, then doesn't bother to check it. Is that the sort of guy you want barreling toward you in a large multi-ton truck?

snowman40

Tough love...What, like this? https://www.hark.com/clips/kzhvzbvxyd...sting-fat-body

lol

magohn

Guys (and gals) - the definition of being a Clyde/Athena means that none of us on this forum have a history of being "health nuts". Lets not be shocked that the guy ate some pizza. I know he has medical issues but give the guy a break, at least hes here and trying.

We have to adjust to living in the "real world". Not many of us are going to switch our diets to nuts and berries and so the occasional "junk food" is going to be a reality.

OP - dust yourself off and go ride a "sensible" ride to give you the psychological boost of still "riding for health".

Ive given you my 2c in the past - forget the long-distance 15 mile ride plans and go for the 5 mile local ride but more often (2-3x a week) - much less easier to blow off as its only going to take 30 mins out of your day.

Get your routine going and then expand on distance as needed.

Just my 2c

Allen55

These are the facts...I screwed up yesterday. Its no different than an alcoholic taking a drink. I am not looking for a pat on the back, encouragement, or an attaboy. I was also not looking to be lambasted or even to be belittled. I am a type 2 diabetic. If I had checked my BG last night, or today, or tomorrow it wouldn't matter. I screwed up, ate pizza and two candy bars (didn't eat the other one). Nothing I could do to bring down my sugar levels after the fact. i dont take insulin...never have. I posted what I did here because I figured you guys would understand more than anyone else I know.

So...with that said, Ill keep my personal problems out of the forums from here on out. Thanks to you guys who have offered something constructive to the conversation. Oh, and BTW...I didn't find a more lenient doctor. My diabetes is under control to the point that i could get a card. It wasn't the opinion of the Dr. My tests came back good enough, so i got my card. I had to be in a certain range and i got it there.

Neil_B

Don't be such a fragile flower, Allen55. Everyone who posted, including sstorkel, had your well being at heart. If you really want to see invective, visit the Road Forum.

And good luck tomorrow!

dcrowell

Argh! Never go to the Road Forum.

But yeah, good luck Allen!

Mr. Beanz

FYI Allen, get back on the right track man! A relative (married into the family) has just found out he's going on dialysis. My father was supposed to go on 3 years ago losing his kidneys via diabetes. John, truck driver is one of the nicest coolest dude I've met. He found out his numbers weren't so great one year ago. Hasn't bothered to change any eating habits at all even though doc suggested it.

Dad has postponed dialysis for 3 years! . John's number were pretty decent last year, it was only a threat, now it is reality while Dad is still fighting it off via diet.

Hate to see this happen to anyone, make the change now. No need to be perfect but freakin' fight it dude!

10 Wheels

Dump your TV Allen.

Type 2 Diabetic here for 5 years.
90 miles today with 2-18 mph winds.

A1C was 5.8 last Wednesday.

chefisaac

Allen: Continue to share my friend.... thats what this forum is about.... we help, we need help, we ride, we laugh, we have fun, we cry, we get pissed off.... we are a family.

And dont post that stuff to the Road Cycling Forum. They are all cut and dry over there.

phlydude

Allen - my wife was diagnosed Type 2 diabetic in Jan 2001. She did what she needed to for a while and managed it and exercised but after a little while, fell off the wagon, ate the wrong things and didn't manage it well enough.

In the mean time, I went along for the ride...we enabled each other and while she didn't do what she needed, I didn't do what I needed either...life, work, finances, deaths, births, etc...life went on but we both became more and more unhealthy.

I gained and gained, becoming over 500 lbs...my wife, gained and lost and didn't get much bigger than she had always been but the diabetes was playing its toll.
She got a new job and the physical required for it dictated that her diabetes was NOT in check and she needed to take drastic action. She did for 3 months or so, enough to keep her job safe and to get past her probationary period.

But then it started...ulcerated wounds that wouldn't heal, infections, colds lasting 6 weeks or more, lethargy...then one day, she started vomitting. Wouldn't go away, thought it was a stomach bug but it was something much worse. Had to take her to the hospital...blood sugar was over 400.

All the tests were run, doctors consulted, blood drawn, ICU and critical care...she was in Diabetic Ketoacidosis - basically, her body couldn't process the extra glucose and her body chemistry went all haywire. She was in the hospital for a week and out of work for 6.
I promised her that I would keep her on track and would get myself on track at the same time. I am proud to say that she is controlling her diabetes now for over a year BUT as a result of the DKA, her pancreas has shut-down insulin production. She is on 4 injections a day (1 with each meal and 1 before bed).
In addition, she developed diabetic retinopathy and needs to be closely monitored yearly to make sure it doesn't advance.

I'm not trying to scare you...just trying to give you the story that I have had to ordeal. My wife is stubborn as a mule and keeping her on track sometimes results in her not liking me very much (or talking to me for a while) but if that is what I have to deal with to keep her healthier, then so be it.

Eating poorly is easy...and it tastes good too!
But eating healthy doesn't have to be a sacrifice...there are plenty of healthy food options that taste good and are satisfying.

I would suggest going to your doctor and asking for a referral to a nutritionist...it is truly an EYE OPENING experience and will help you stay on track to eat a healthy, diabetic friendly diet and help you lose weight in the long run.

Penny4

Thanks for sharing your story Phlydude, it is a sobering reminder of why a healthy lifestyle is so important. A kudos to your for helping your wife, even when it is not so easy.

Allen55

Dennis...thanks for that, man!

Nightshade

Yes, it's hard to be sympathetic here when the OP knows better. As far as driving a truck and being diabetic.....well.....I''d worry about that too.

I know that when I'd stupid by eating to much of the wrong things I suffer the next day when my diabetes kicks my ass !! But I'm learning...........

phlydude

No problem - a healthier you is yearning to come out (as witnessed by your desire to ride your bike) - don't let the evils that dwell deep inside win! Get on that bike and ride until you think you are done and then ride some more!!! Don't give up on yourself because there are obviously people on here not willing to give up on you either!!

Cyclist89564

Hard work is never down the drain - you just have to dust yourself off and keep moving. For all of you spartans out there who believe will power conquers all: Don't project your capabilities onto others. One person's will power is another person's wall. If you're on here because you are 6'5" and 275 lbs - sure, you're a Clyde, but you don't have the same issues as a 6', 300 lb person.

This is about support.

Mithrandir

My friends think I'm insane that I did that. "But how will you watch the latest episode of 'LawyerCop M.D.: Saskatchewan'?" they all ask. Ugh. "But it's in high definition! And 3D!" Ugh.

You know what else is in high definition and 3D? Outdoors!


Television was killing me. Cycling saved me.

Black wallnut 

Well said Sir!

goldfinch

Yup.

No one is perfect and tomorrow is another day.

I agree on the short rides. Lots of short rides, so it isn't a big deal to ride.

dcrowell

I love that.

Rowan

I don't know what the story is in the US, but truck drivers in Australia are among the most tightly controlled drivers on the road. The long-haul guys have to keep log books (and very accurately at that) and are required to take presdcribed breaks during their driving stints.

There is a very strong education process in the training program I did on eating healthy when driving. The temptation to eat fast is only too evident in the number of overweight drivers I have seen on the main artery between Melbourne and Sydney.

The number of overweights is reducing, very definitely, but we still have truck crashes that seem to have no reasonable cause -- one in the past two weekends resulted in a truck crossing a very wide median strip, a dual lane carriageway on the other side, plus a wide shoulder, then hit a tree with enough impact to kill the driver. One can only wonder until the coroner's verdict is published.

I have respect for most long-haul drivers. They give us a wide berth wherever possible when we are riding bikes. Short-haul (and especially those with dog trailers hauling gravel and sand)... well, that's an entirely different story with plenty of renegades out there.

But it takes only one moment of bad judgment to threaten my life and one that I love.

mgw189

Allen

I have a solution to wanting to watch the game... do it on your bike in front of the tv on rollers or a trainer. I live in the north east and plan on riding as much as I can through the winter. That being said there are days I just dont have the ambition to kit up and get out the door when its cold. I ordered a trainer last week and should have it by the end of this week.