Miles and miles further than I ever expected

I survived the first quarter of 2015.  Exercise competition in place and I'm kicking butt!

For those keeping track I didn't win in January or March, but I did in February.  (Need a refresher on what I'm talking about?  Go here). 

We added a water intake component, because face it, we probably aren't drinking anywhere near enough water.  And by water I don't mean the stuff that has been filter through heavenly beans and smells delicious first thing in the morning, nor the stuff with bubbles and Diet Coke syrup added. 

My best friend and I discussed how important water intake is, and yet how much we both don't like water.  I usually add a squirt of lemon juice, lime juice, or both to a cupful so it is more palatable for me.  We decided that we needed to babystep our intake up to where we should be.  If you try to be at the finish line before you take your first step you'll end up sitting back down, metaphorically speaking.

February's water intake was 32 ounces by the end of the workday, Monday through Friday.  If we accomplished that we could add 1/4 of a mile to our daily total.  If we didn't, we had to subtract 1/4 of a mile.  I admit, there were a couple days where I was gulping the last little bit as I was gathering my keys to  head out the door.

March's water intake was 48 ounces by the end of the workday, Monday through Friday, and by 6pm Saturday and Sunday.  This was a bit more of a challenge.  I was doing good with the workday intake.  I have my special cup that is a perfect 32 ounces.  It isn't insulated, so the ice melts (which is perfect) and one and a half times through it and I was set.  The problem came when I was at home on the weekends.  I didn't have my special cup.  Trying to figure out which cups I could use to get the same amount was fun.  Thankfully I have an old insulated mug from the hospital.  It is also 32 ounces.  Problem though... it's insulated.  That means the ice DOESN'T melt, so I wasn't getting the full 32 ounces once I heard the slurping through the straw.  I managed though and only missed the daily intake on four days (two of which I was out of town).

April's water intake is 72 ounces each day.  Here it is, day 3, and I've made it...so far.  Can I say that is a LOT of water!  I know, I know, it's probably no where near the amount I should be drinking in a day, but baby steps, remember? 

Here are my mile totals for the year:

January (goal of 40 miles):

Miles walked: 27.99
Minutes exercised:  495 (30min = 1 mile) 16.5 miles

TOTAL:  44.49 miles

 

February (goal of 40 miles):

Miles walked: 29.02

Minutes exercised: 450 = 15 miles

Water intake 15/17 days: 2.25 miles

TOTAL:  46.27 miles

 

March (goal of 40 miles):

Miles walked: 45.13

Minutes exercised: 1050 = 35 miles

Water intake 27/31 days = 5.75 miles

TOTAL:  85.88 miles

 

 

What do you think of that March total?  Pretty awesome, huh?  Garden prep and weed pulling can really add up!  What makes me most proud is that I actually WALKED more than the monthly goal! 

 

Now that it's the second quarter of the year, our monthly mile goal is 50 miles.  Looking at March, that shouldn't be a problem.  However, I think I've picked most of the weeds in my yard.  I do have a few other outside chores.  Can we say, cleaning gravel and replacing weed barrier? 

 

If you need me, I'll be outside. 

 

Come join me and bring a jug of water with you.  We're going to need it.

BIG/small Accomplishment

{Ok.. Ok.. so this is a day late.  I promise not to list punctuality as one of my accomplishments.}

We don’t always realize it, but each one of us had come a long way since diabetes first came into our life. It doesn’t matter if it’s been 5 weeks, 5 years or 50 years, you’ve done something outstanding diabetes-wise. So today let’s share the greatest accomplishment you've made in terms of dealing with your (or your loved one’s) diabetes. No accomplishment is too big or too small - think about self-acceptance, something you’ve mastered (pump / exercise / diet / etc.), making a tough care decision (finding a new endo or support group / choosing to use or not use a technology / etc.). (Thanks to Hillary of Rainie and Me for this topic suggestion.)

I have not mastered carb counting.  I don't exercise anywhere near as often as I should.  I could do a lot better on my meal choices.  Don't ask about a bg or food log. 

There are many things I have not accomplished.  One thing I have is having other people give me my shots and/or change out a pump site. 

From the first day I started on shots I had everyone in my house give me one.  They had to draw it up and inject.  No one was exempt.  My daughter's friends have all had their turn.  Even one of the youth at my church has taken a turn.  When I started on my pump, I went through the process again.  Each member of my household (well... those with opposable thumbs that is) got to perform a complete site change. 

It may not seem like much, and maybe a little odd, but I look at it this way.  If ever I am not capable of doing it myself there will be someone right there who can do it for me, and do it with confidence.

Find All The Things - Time to clean the drawer

I recently brought in some Welch's Fruit Snack to work.  I have ran out of treats for lows a few times so I try to make sure I have enough at my desk.  I've been bringing something new in each week.  I might need to rethink that practice.  I tossed the fruit snacks in the drawer, and then took this picture.

FIND ALL THE THINGS

I really need to clean out and organize the drawer.  I will add it to my list of things to accomplish in 2013.  In the meantime, lets play FIND ALL THE THINGS!!  Here is a list of what is in the drawer.  Let me know how many you can find.

• Dexcom sensor
• sauce packets (ketchup, Taco Bell Sauce)
• hot chocolate packets
• Starbursts
• Fig Newtons
• Powerade Zero
• non-dairy creamer
• silverware
• 4 mugs
• peanut butter cups
• Welch's fruit snacks
• Smarties
• dish cloth
• bag of cookies
• salt and pepper
• 6 flavors of tea
• box of Spree
• enough napkins to clean my car
• Tic Tacs
• ice bucket liners
• instant coffee
• flavored Splenda packets
• BK zesty sauce
• Airborne
• gum
• glucose meter
• Now 'n Later
• Nerds
• Tuperware container and small baggie of Splenda
• soda can topper
• jar of old pump tubing
• drink mix packets

You want proof?  Okay.. here you go:

Yes, in fact all of this was in that drawer.

After a little consolidating and a little throwing things out (the instant coffee was empty, why did I keep it?) I was able to make the drawer a WHOLE lot better looking.  It still looks full, well because it is, but at least now I know where everything is.  I can actually get something out of it without dumping napkins all over the floor.

Much better.

Future accomplishments - Post 29

Today's topic suggestion is about a hoped for accomplishment in 2013.  I tried, but had a hard time picking just one thing.  So here is my to do list.

I have a long list of things I would like to accomplish in 2013:

• Finish the grizzly bear cross stitch I started 2 years ago.
• Remove living room carpet and install laminate.
• Tile the kitchen and laundry room and front bathroom.
• Actually make the quilt I bought the pieces for 4 years ago.
• Get the garden designed and planted.
• Read the stack of books I have at my bedside and in the hallway.
• Get all my pictures sorted and in albums.

There are some that I have to accomplish in 2013 whether I like it or not:

• Graduate my daughter from High School, with limited number of tears.
• Send my daughter off to college, with limited number of tears.

There are some that are health related too:

• Achieve an A1C of less than 7.0
• Lose about 20-25 pounds.

There are even some that are advocacy related:

• Successfully participate in my local JDRF walk.
• Assist my daughter in starting a local sharps container exchange program.
• Get everyone in my office to wear blue on Fridays, or at least on WDD.
• Blog at LEAST once a week. 

You don't think it's too much, do you? I don't'.  I CAN DO THIS!!  Who am I kidding.... I can't do all these things.  We all know I'm going to be crying like a baby at graduation and then again in August.  Maybe I need to add one more thing to that list:

• Stock up on tissues