Randy Jackson is Looking for People with Type 2 Diabetes
Randy Jackson, of American Idol, is holding a casting call for people living with Type 2 diabetes. Randy has partnered with the American Heart Association to speak on behalf of The Heart of DiabetesTM, a national campaign to help those living with type 2 diabetes manage the disease and learn about its connection to cardiovascular disease (CVD). He also has some tips that he wants to share that have helped him manage his own diabetes and lead a healthier life.MORE......
My name is Kirk Grau and last year I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2. I am 5'11" and weigh 280 pounds. However, I took a serious look at my health issues and decided to learn and act as much as I could to change my health issues.
First, I changed my eating habits to a more healthy pattern which, includes eating about eight times a day (healthy snacks) to maintain blood sugar levels, and I reduced greatly my consumption of starches such as potatoes and bread. By the way, I totally cut out potato chips and other starches and replaced these with small amounts of low salted nuts. I have currently lost over 45 pounds and they have stayed off. I have much more to go. I have cut my meds (Metformin) in half ( my personal goal is to lose enough weight to get off the Diabetes oral insulin entirely).
I walk daily through sun or snow (just like the old ancient quotation) until I start to get warm and slight perspiration (I go each evening and walk around the sidewalk that encircles the County Courthouse). Before I began to do this, I was having the problem of my left leg swelling in the early afternoon below my knee. This has disappeared entirely. I read grocery content labels to help make sure I am not eating something that makes my blood sugar levels rise.
As a reult of all the above, I feel better and I am more active. I reward myself every now and then with a treat on the weekends such as the Norwegian lefsa with butter and Splenda or by having a small bowl of ice cream. I try to eat more dark green vegies and beans. I am gradually getting to like eating things such lettuce salads. I have also found that natural herbs such as Fenu Greek Seed,Cinnamon, Silvia Sevestre, Prickly Pear Cactus Extract,and others help reduce my blood sugar levels if taken regularly.
I have a stress ladden job whereby I work behind a desk all day. I believe that the most important issue was the fact that I only used to eat one meal a day and now, I eat healthy snacks throughout the day and the pounds are coming off. I know that my experience is not different from many people and if my actions might help another then so be it.
Sincerely,
Kirk D. Grau