A New Challenge

4 triathlons, numerous 5K's, hours upon hours of training, and a 1/2 marathon are behind me. So what do I take on next? Prediabetes.

Two days after completing my 1/2 marathon I had a routine physical. I had some concerns and it had been years since my last check up. Here were a few of my major questions-

1. I could not lose weight. In fact I was struggling to stop myself from gaining. All of this weight was showing up in my waist. Something that I knew was not good.
2. I cut out a little sugar and I felt better.
3. At times I would get so hungry I would feel as though I was going to vomit. Grabbing something high in sugar would make me feel instantly better.

During my physical the doctor informed me that I was probably prediabetic. I am well aware of prediabetes and diabetes. My mother has been diabetic for 20 years. I have two uncles and one grandpa that are also diabetic. And just this year diabetes was a huge factor in the death of another grandpa. But what I was not aware of was that type 2 diabetes is genetic. I had always been told that people get type 2 diabetes from making bad choices. I was not making bad choices. But with so many relatives affected by this disease, it is obvious the doctor was correct, genes do play a huge role.

The doctor put me on a very strict eating plan. I am allowed to eat 15 grams of sugar and 6 servings of carbs each day (each serving of carbs is 20 g, but 21 g is considered two servings.). I have been very surprised at how much sugar is in the foods we eat. An apple is 15 grams of sugar. That is all I can eat the entire day! One cup of green beans is 2 grams of sugar and 1 serving of carbs. Half a cup of strawberries contain 4 grams of sugar. In addition, carbs are everywhere! I can eat these foods, but I have a very limited supply of sugar and carbs I can eat each day. It is a huge balancing act.

I have been eating this way for 1 week. I have lost 5.2 pounds and 2 1/2 inches in my waist. Think maybe I have a blood sugar problem?? I also feel like a different person. Like I am walking out of a fog. Aaron says I talk more. I am slowly getting back to normal :)

I had a lot of blood tests done and I have now heard the results. The tests confirm the doctors suspicions. My a1c blood glucose test came back at 5.9. The normal a1c number for someone who does not have diabetes is 5 or below. Someone with a 6 is considered to be a diabetic who is managing their diabetes well.

In addition to this news, I was told that I am extremely deficient in magnesium. My thyroid is not working optimally and I am very deficient in vitamin D. Magnesium is very important to muscles. How in the world was I able to compete in triathlons, and train and run a 1/2 marathon?

So my new challenge is to get healthy. I have a doctors appointment in three months to recheck all of my blood work. This may not be a physically exhausting challenge, but it is far more important than a triathlon or 1/2 marathon.

I am putting all the dedication, perseverance, heart, and tenacity that I have into prediabetes. I will do everything I can to lower that a1c number. It will be difficult. The nurse informed me that she has seen people lower their number by .2 (point 2!), but it was hard. My response, just wait and see. I will surprise you.

But there is also another challenge for Aaron and I. My kids carry my genes. We are determined to lower the amount of sugar and carbs they consume. That will require the help of family and friends. Think twice before offering a snack high in sugar and carbs. If you need food ideas, feel free to ask. Because we love them, we will be diligent to make sure that they eat a low sugar and carbs diet.