Spring & Exercise (#dsma)

This month's DSMA blog carnival prompt: Does the sunshine and warmth of Spring urge you to change up your exercise routine? If you don’t have an exercise routine, does it inspire you to start exercising? And if it’s not Spring in your corner of the world, what season are you heading into and how does it impact your fitness routine?

I love this weather!  I love watching everything come alive.  I love watching the grass turn bright green.  I love watching the leaves grow on the trees.  Of course, I also love being outside!  I love going for walks in the neighborhood and hikes in the woods.

I wish I could say I have a regular exercise routine.  I did when I was home full-time.  Once my youngest started school and I started subbing, any chance of a regular exercise routine went out the window.  However I realize I need to get back into a regular routine with watching my carbs and exercise.  So yes, spring is inspiring me to restart.

Last spring, one of our dogs developed a herniated disk.  She also needs to be part of an exercise routine to keep her weight down which will keep her from having issues walking.  Maybe I should consider putting both of us on an exercise plan together.  Since she can't play soccer with the children in the backyard anymore, going for walks in the neighborhood would be a good way to get both of us fresh air and exercise. (Yes, the vet has cleared her for walks; actually encouraged it.)

I'm looking forward to doing more than traditional exercise as the weather warms up.  Hubby and I are making plans for this year's vegetable garden with the kids.  It's amazing how many carbs working in the garden burns off! I've actually had to stop working in the garden and treat lows in the past.  As long as I'm smart about it, I should do fine.

I'll let you know how it goes!


This post is my April entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival.  If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetessocmed.com/2013/april-dsma-blog-carnival-3/

Aspiration (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt:  "If I could do anything as a Health Activist..."  Think big today!  Money/time/physical limitations are no longer an issue.  What is your biggest goal that is now possible?


It's honestly hard to decide. There is so much I'd like to do in the realm of advocacy.  I'd like to share with others about my experiences.  I'd like to teach others what Type 2 is all about.  I'd like to debunk all the myths about diabetes (every type).  I'd like to help scientists find a cure.

I'd also like to meet the DOC (diabetes online community). I wouldn't be where I am today without them!

Sharing Resources (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: Create a "care page" - a list of your best resources that someone who is newly diagnosed could go to when starting to advocate for themselves or a loved one.  Remember to include sites that lead to successful self advocacy! 

Below are a list of links I've found. I know some may no longer be active, but their information may be valuable.  If you find any links that no longer work, please let me know. I didn't have time to check them all.

Type 2 Blogs:
Tales of Rachel
Sweet Success
Type 2 Diabetes - A Personal Journey
Living with Diabetes
My Fall From Grace
Wildly Fluctuating
Type 2 Blog
Sugar Free Musings.
Very Old, Very Healthy Diabetic

Type 1 Blogs (because we all learn from each other):
Six Until Me. (the blog that inspired me to blog)
The B.A.D. Blog (Ninjabetic)
Scott's Diabetes
Singlewhitediabetic's Blog
My Diary as the Mom of a Diabetic Princess

Other links of interest:
ADA Adult Type 2 message board
You Did NOT Eat Your Way to Diabetes!
Restaurant Nutrition Facts

I hope to add to this list soon!  If you have any links you'd like me to add, let me know!

Wordless Wednesday Take 2 (#HAWMC)

For today's "Write Hope of Your Hands for Diabetes Awareness" Day:

Wordless Wednesday (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: Post a picture that symbolizes your condition and your experiences.

I may look like I have fallen, but I still have life springing forth.

Introducing... Diabetes (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt:  Introduce your condition(s) to other Health Activists.  Why are 5 things you want them to know about your condition/your activism?

My name is Sue and I have Type 2 diabetes.  Before being diagnosed, I had already dealt with gestational diabetes with all five pregnancies.

Five things I would like you to know about my Type 2 diabetes*:

1. I do not have diabetes because of poor diet or because I ate too much sugar.  Yes, I like my sweets and occasional junk food, but overall I have a healthy diet.  If diet was the only cause for Type 2, we'd have a lot more people with diabetes (PWD).
2. I do not have diabetes because of my weight.  Yes, like a majority of Americans I have a few pounds to lose.  However I am considered slightly overweight, not obese.  I do not look like the stereotypical Type 2.
3. My blood sugar goes low.  I actually had someone say to me, "How can your blood sugar go low?  I thought diabetes was high blood sugar."  I have Type 2 which is also known as insulin resistance.  My body doesn't like using the insulin in my body to break down the glucose, causing high blood sugar.  However there are times of increased activity, like the quick tidy many of us do when we know someone is coming over and the kids left a mess in the living room, that my body decides to actually use the over supply of insulin to break down the glucose for energy, causing my blood sugar to crash.
4. I don't have the "good kind" of diabetes.   Yes, I do feel blessed that I don't have to worry about insulin injections and insulin to carb ratios, but Type 2 diabetes is dangerous, too.  My grandfather lost both of his legs compliments of diabetes.  I have two numb toes that may or may not be related to diabetes (I have a doctor appointment coming up to talk about it. Don't worry, Mom!)  I have an increased risk of many other medical conditions. What's "good" about that?
5. It's not my fault.  It's not my parents' fault.  It is what it is.  There's nothing I did to get Type 2.  I highly doubt I could have done anything to prevent it either.  It is my fault if I let diabetes win without a fight.  I wake up every day determined to do the best I can to take care of myself.  Do I slip? Of course!  I've had days where I've knowingly eaten too many carbs.  I've had days where I've sat in the chair more than I've moved around the room.  Those poor choices aren't what caused my diabetes.  No one will know for sure what caused it.  I assume it's genetics and five pregnancies, but honestly only God knows for certain.

*Please remember YDMV (your diabetes may vary) which is why I said "my" Type 2 diabetes.  What is true for me might not be true for another person with Type 2 and vice versa.

Getting Started (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt:  Why you write - Tell us a little about why you write about your health online and what got you started.

I started this blog several years ago when someone from the ADA Type 2 message board asked if anyone had a blog.  If so, they wanted to read it.  I had thought of blogging, but didn't know what to blog about.  That post gave me the nudge I needed to start a blog about my life as a person with Type 2 diabetes.  Of course my life is more than diabetes.  My user name on that message board is RFamHere, and I tend to ramble.  RFamHere's Ramblings was born!

After looking around the internet to find inspiration for my blog, it saddened me to see that so few Type 2s blog.  I found plenty of blogs written by people with Type 1 or parents of children with Type 1, but not so many by Type 2s.  I didn't let that discourage me.  I knew that other would be looking as well.  Why not help get things going.  Maybe if I started a blog, others would, too!

Do you blog?  If not, why don't you start?  It doesn't have to be anything fancy.  It doesn't have to be a health issue.  What are you passionate about that you'd like to share?  Parenting, religion, literature, funny pictures you find on the internet?  The joy of blogging is writing about whatever motivates you.