Girls Trip and other Diabeetus updates

 Wow hi friends

Been a while! Super busy crushing it.

So first off, I made some serious fond memories with some lovely ladies in an amazing place I had never even thought of going to—even though I had always heard great things. WELL, luckily I have some great ladies in my life that included me in the trip. 

In the past, due to money worries or other factors—like fear of keeping up or slowing down the crew, I would usually sheep out of the situation. But then the pandemic happened. Listen, the first few months I was not working. I was living in a lovely boarding house situation. Don’t get me wrong the place was so nice… but all I had to myself was a room. No friends, no socialization at work, one room. Time did not exist, I found myself driving around at 3 or 4 in the morning listening to podcasts for something to do. That time changed me. I promised myself that I would get out of my comfort zone and see my friends if I had the chance. 

It was the best! I know the pandemic is still happening. We are all vaccinated and we were going to an extremely low population area. We unknowingly rented from Mennonites, in an entire Mennonite community. What is a Mennonite? A very short oversimplified explanation would be that they are in between Amish and modern lifestyles. Like, they can have electricity but a bare minimum. Some have cars, most still ride horse and buggy—which was cool because we saw horsies everywhere… even at the supermarket! They can drink and wear color, opposed to the Amish, who do not. So our place had working lights and a cool set up outside—but no TV. Which, in the end, was probably for the better. We had important conversations, I think we all had things to share, and be there for each other for. I felt really happy in each moment, and I wish we all lived closer. Though we don’t, I feel like we have reinforced our long distant friendships in the best way possible. 

If you told me two months ago I would have gone on a 2 ish mile hike up 27 flights of stairs (Nofsky has an app) through water covered stone I would have literally laughed in your face. I had JUST stopped using my cane from my injury from the glass incident. People, I stopped using my cane 3 months ago!

I conquered my natural enemy! In the last 3 ish years I have fallen down the stairs 7 times. But I did it! WE did it! Haley felt terrible because we all discussed that we were all looking for an easy hike but I no one cared. It was gorgeous and I am so proud of myself. I literally planned on not doing the hike part of the trip! Granted, some did more than others but considering where I was to where I am now-damn Daniel. And I was sooo careful going  down so I wouldn’t fall lol

Almost all of the activities we were doing were outside. And almost all of the businesses had dogs. Paradise. Weather was perfect, everything was delicious. 

Which brings me to my next subject: food. Essentially the trip was 6 weeks after my diagnosis and I was going strict since day one, with the assumption that the trip would be my first toe out of line to find a better middle ground now that my blood sugar is more under control. Now that I have formed habits and I am sticking to the new routine, it was time to let a little more sugar back into my life because let’s be honest: she’s an angry beast when her blood sugar is between 80-100. That alone is not sustainable. It’s not who I am. I am notoriously known for being nice. So now, I usually aim to be around 125 or under for now. Much more manageable. I can be up to 150 and be considered OKAY but I am committed to keeping it down and I don’t want to teeter the line if that makes sense. I just need to be at a point where I am still losing weight but not angry. 125 seems good. 

For reference, a non diabetic should be under 100 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal. Like I mentioned earlier, diabetics max is 150 mg/dls. 

So yeah, things are good. I’ve lost 20 lbs so far. It’s fun to slowly see differences. 

The first photo was my birthday, June 13th. The second was today-wild. Since I was young, I always thought of my fat as a coat, acting like a safety blanket that I always wish I could just take off when I was attracted to someone or felt safe with friends and wanted to live life to the fullest but that’s not how it works. It takes timmmeeee. It’s not hard to eat better, it’s not hard to exercise if you find one that brings you joy, it’s hard to wait for the results. But each day I find ways to enjoy my new strength and ability to move. I appreciate my arms slowly shrinking. I take note that pants and shirts are looking loose. I appreciate my butt. I CHALLENGE myself and don’t half ass Zumba, even when I want to. Even with my period. WAIT there is one exception. I did not Zumba after the hike for the rest of the trip because my thighs were like nah bish what just happened, you did Zumba, then walked 2 miles up and down stairs, and you still want to move? No. 

So yeah, appreciate all the love. Haven’t been doing many videos because I don’t want to repeat recipes mostly but you’ve all been so nice about the Zumba videos and photos thank you 🙏❤️

Hope you’re all well staying safe and getting vaccinated. Side note: at this point if you went to public school, you have been mandated to get vaccines since you were a child. Some vaccines are not as old as you think. So many people have received the vaccine and are fine after like 8 months. There are breakthrough cases but the vaccine is doing it’s job by making covid significantly less lethal. If you don’t have an illness that actually prevents you from getting the vaccine, just get it.

Much love

Sam