kizette

I started putting on the weight over two years ago. For those two years, I let twenty pounds add onto my body. I watched myself go up in jean sizes, throw away old clothes because they were too tight, and hate who I was in the mirror. My blood sugars didn't seem to be affected much by my weight. My wardrobe and my mindset were the only things shattered.

Eventually, I realized that the twenty extra pounds were slowly taking a toll on my long-term health, including the long-term health of my diabetes. I started working out again. (You might remember my post about getting my body ready for summer.) I also tried to watch what I was eating more closely, including low treatments.

Since April 5, I've lost seven pounds. That averages at half a pound a week. I only notice a slight change in the mirror. I've gotten into a size smaller jean and a size smaller shirt. I'm also consistently wearing the same size shoe. The most important difference is that I feel so much better about my health and my body. Running, even walking up stairs, is easier. Finding clothes that work is less difficult (though still frustrating, but I think that's always going to be a factor).

I'm definitely proud of myself for losing the seven pounds. I also know that there is still a long road ahead to lose the remaining weight. Preferably, I would like to lose another fourteen pounds. I'm setting November 1 as the date to be at my goal weight. That's sixteen weeks, so at least 3.5 pounds per month.

So far, I've started a consistent work out routine and changed portions of my diet (including cutting out most dairy and bread, eating more salad, and watching my portion sizes). I've worked on lessening my lows so that I'm not eating unnecessary carbs to cover myself. This has worked wonders, but I still want more.

Recently, I got away from my workouts because of my busy schedule. So my new goals are to increase my routine to three times a week at the gym instead of two. This would mean almost six miles of cardio just from the gym. I also want to begin a Pilates/Yoga routine for three days a week at home. This may not directly help me lose weight, but the increased relaxation, flexibility, tone, and posture will indirectly help my workouts to be more efficient and my daily life to be less stressful.

I'm going to continue watching my diet, especially when I leave for school again in August. With smaller portions and healthier snacks, I should be able to control my eating habits enough to cut about 2,000 calories a week from my diet. Those calories will add up, one way or another. And I'd prefer the other.

On top of my workouts and diet, I'm trying to limit my low blood sugars again. Recently, I've had a few days of severe lows. I need to evaluate what is different and how I can avoid them. I also want to make sure I have ready access to convenient treatments so that I don't end up over treating the lows (and taking too much insulin). I'm hoping that the decreased weight (and strain on my body) will call for a decrease in insulin and better control.