cava_cavien
Being back to school is the hot topic lately. For me, being back to school is a big change. Not only do I move away from home again every semester, but also my schedule is constantly changing. The stress is different. The food is different. The exercise is different (walking an extra 3 miles a week around campus). My control is different.
Over the summer, I really watched what I was eating. I finally got my other health issues sorted out and had the potential to lose the weight I had gained because of them. I was motivated. So I started limiting my portions, choosing "smarter" carbs, and decreasing my overall intake of carbs.
As my carb intake went down, my insulin need went down. I ended up cutting my overall daily insulin by almost 15 units. With the better food choices and the minimal insulin, I started losing weight. Seven pounds to be exact.
I have successfully kept the weight off and am proud of that. However, I've noticed that in the last week of being back to school, my food choices are all over the place. I'm eating out more often (less time, more friends) and not choosing the right kinds of meals at restaurants. I'm snacking more often. My portions are out of control, period.
I'm eating pizza more often than I need to. I'm grabbing fast food. I'm eating much larger breakfasts than normal (and justifying it by saying that I have to make it through long classes). I'm eating late night snacks (and meals). I'm drinking my calories more often than before. I'm eating dessert.
My weight has stayed the same in the past week, thankfully. But my insulin needs have not. I have to cover more carbs and watch my basals carefully. I'm slowly inching the daily insulin intake up unit by unit.
Eventually, I know that it won't just be my insulin going up, but my weight and blood sugars will increase as well. And I know that all of that is running the risk of causing more health issues and aggravating the ones I already have. Plus, the risk of complications.
Not only is it not worth it to look in the mirror and hate who I see, but it's not worth increasing my cholesterol or cancer risks. There is a way to balance good eating, good control, and living my life the way I want. Somewhere, somehow, there is a way.
