One of the most basic tools for taking care of yourself when you are a Diabetic is your blood glucose meter. Just like how every person is different, every meter is different as well. There are many things that need to be taken into consideration when looking to buy a meter. When you are looking to buy a meter you might value one feature over another. While i have a very limited knowledge of just a couple meters, i can point in the right direction to at least start your search. I am referring to the American Diabetes Association's article on the 2012 Consumer guide for blood glucose meters. This article is filled with a lot of helpful information in order for you to begin your search for the meter that is perfect for you. Happy Shopping . . .
~Traci
1/4/12
WEIGHT-y Wednesday
In my limited experience I know that one of the biggest issues that some diabetics can face is their weight. Not everyone who has diabetes is overweight, but some of us are. By losing even just a few pounds, one can better control and maintain their diabetes. Losing weight can mean that those who are on oral medications may be able to come off them and control their diabetes by diet and exercise alone. You will also find that you will have more energy for the things you love by losing a few pounds.
Exercise does not have to mean going to the gym day in and day out and walking to nowhere on the treadmill. You can get exercise by doing the things you love. Just get active for a awhile each day. Whether it is walking, working out, or even dancing. Every bit helps. And before you know it you will see that you have lost some weight and feel great! So get out there and start moving today!!
~Traci
1/2/12
Hello 2012!
So one year is gone and a new one is here. I didn't do nearly as much as I wanted to last year, but there is nothing i can do about that. It is a new year and time for new and improved things. I did start 2012 off in some new ways. The hubby and i actually went out for New Years Eve to a neighboring town, Mechanicsburg, and watched the wrench drop. Neither of us had been anywhere to see anything drop before. It was fun. And we discovered a quaint little cafe while doing it. Then on New Years Day we took a trip down to City Island and participated in the 2012 Penguin Plunge which benefited the Humane Society. The weather was great, but the water was frigid. i heard the water temp was only 34 degrees! These were some things i had never done before, so i was successful in starting the New Year off by doing something new!
My biggest challenge for the new year will be my health. I am going to work to do even better to lose weight and get healthy. I am starting a biggest loser type challenge with some friends and co-workers tomorrow, with money at stake. So that should help motivate me!!! I have been losing some weight (about 10 pounds in the last two months), but not enough. I am using the site www.myfitnesspal.com to track my weight and measurements. As I was resetting it tonight I noticed that since i originally signed up on that site i have lost 15.6 pounds and 5 inches. So I was at least doing something right!
Another thing i want to tackle this year is keeping this blog alive. So in order to do that I am going to start doing some theme days, like when I first started this blog for Diabetes Month 2010. Tentatively I think my topics will be:
Mundane Monday - Just some everyday thoughts from me
Tippy Tuesday - Tips for food, exercise, etc
Weighty Wednesday - issues that are a big concern for diabetics
Techie Thursday - info on apps and other gadgets that could/would be useful
Foto Friday - A picture says it all
Sugary Saturday - alternatives to super sweet snacking
Smorgasbord Sunday - Anything and everything
So stayed tuned and see what the new year has in store for us!
My biggest challenge for the new year will be my health. I am going to work to do even better to lose weight and get healthy. I am starting a biggest loser type challenge with some friends and co-workers tomorrow, with money at stake. So that should help motivate me!!! I have been losing some weight (about 10 pounds in the last two months), but not enough. I am using the site www.myfitnesspal.com to track my weight and measurements. As I was resetting it tonight I noticed that since i originally signed up on that site i have lost 15.6 pounds and 5 inches. So I was at least doing something right!
Another thing i want to tackle this year is keeping this blog alive. So in order to do that I am going to start doing some theme days, like when I first started this blog for Diabetes Month 2010. Tentatively I think my topics will be:
Mundane Monday - Just some everyday thoughts from me
Tippy Tuesday - Tips for food, exercise, etc
Weighty Wednesday - issues that are a big concern for diabetics
Techie Thursday - info on apps and other gadgets that could/would be useful
Foto Friday - A picture says it all
Sugary Saturday - alternatives to super sweet snacking
Smorgasbord Sunday - Anything and everything
So stayed tuned and see what the new year has in store for us!
11/3/11
They do add up!
Just another small victory: I fit into a size 20 pants, as opposed to the size 22 i normally wear!!!
That is all!
~Traci
That is all!
~Traci
Location:Harrisburg,United States
Success
Some days all it takes to be a success is a small victory. Like stepping on the scale and seeing that the number has gone down into a lower tens range!! Not everyone is as forthcoming with things like weight, but I am just going to put this out there: I currently weigh 279.4 pounds!!! I am proud to share this because just last week I was almost 285! It is this small victory of being out of the 280s that has put me in a really good mood this morning and ready to take on the day.
One small victory might not be much, but all those little ones will add up and help further motivate a person. So celebrate the little moments and let them help carry you on!
As something different, I will start adding some pictures at the end of my posts to help remind me why I do this and to track my progress. Just the face today:
~Traci
One small victory might not be much, but all those little ones will add up and help further motivate a person. So celebrate the little moments and let them help carry you on!
As something different, I will start adding some pictures at the end of my posts to help remind me why I do this and to track my progress. Just the face today:
~Traci
Location:Harrisburg,United States
11/1/11
American Diabetes Month (ADM)
Today is the start of American Diabetes Month 2011. I started this blog last year for ADM with the hope of not only spreading awareness about Diabetes, but also for my own benefit. I had the grand idea I would post every day and that this would help keep me motivated to get in better shape for my health. Well unfortunately after ADM ended I struggled and the blog fell far to the side, along with my grand designs on my health. Now I figure what better time to jump back in and to try to make a change than ADM 2011! This time I am going to not plan too big, but to take things one day at a time. That way if I have a bad day, there is always the next day to do good. One of my new mottos will be "Every day brings a new beginning." So today I start my journey of re-discovery. One day at a time.
Location:Harrisburg,United States
5/21/11
Contour USB
So i have finally had a chance to start using this meter. And so far I can't complain about it. Like I said before, I do like that it has a rechargeable battery. That is a big plus. Since getting my strips, which was a trip itself, I have found that the Contour USB is very easy to use. You just put the strip in and it turns on and is ready to suck up some blood. After that you are given the option to mark it as before or after meal, or no mark. And then in seconds your result is displayed. The screen is surprisingly bright and easy to read (I will upload some pics at a later point). It is all very easy to use. I have not had the chance to try the software with it yet, but as soon as i do I will post about that.
5/17/11
Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes
Well it is getting to be that time of year again, time for the step out walk to stop diabetes. This has recently become very dear to me. Last year was my first year taking part in this walk. Not only is it a great workout, but it is also a great way to get involved with something that means very much to me. This year they are adding something different to the walk: they are giving away a limited number of special converse sneakers to the first 1,000 walkers who raise $1,000 on-line. I think this is such a great idea and i am currently going to try to become one of these lucky people. So please take a moment today to donate towards a great cause and then take the time to spread this information on to all your friends and family so they can donate too. With your help we can hope that one day there can be a cure to diabetes!
5/15/11
Meter
So i went out and picked up the Contour USB meter. I am really into gadgets and this looked like something right up my alley. I really can't say much about it yet since it didn't come with any test strips and I have yet to get a new script for the Bayer brand strips. So maybe tomorrow, after I call the doctor's, I will have more to say. For now i can say that I love how it has a rechargeable battery, which can be charged by simply plugging it into the USB port. From what I can tell by looking it and the guide over it should be very simple to use. I am excited to get some strips so i can use it!
5/6/11
Advice wanted
I have to change my glucose meter becasue my insurance company is not longer having One Touch be a prefered meter. So I need to ask those out there that use either Accu-Check or Bayer (Ascencia) what you use and the pros and cons of it. I appreciate any info you can give me!
~Traci
~Traci
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