Stuff and Nonesense

I'm no expert but here are a few tips I've learned along the way:

- wrapped chocolates are easier to resist than unwrapped ones. That's why I try to buy individually wrapped treats rather than heading to the Bulk Barn and buying a big bag of something. Those tasty mini Easter chocolate eggs that are on sale now for $0.74 a bag are perfect. I pour them into a bowl, take four, bolus, and enjoy.

- exercising in the morning is WAY more reliable than exercising in the evening. There is less opportunity to make excuses and the alarm goes off so early that you're often too tired to even coherently think about not going. I'm usually in the pool before I even realize what I'm doing and I'm dressed for a run before I notice it's raining.

- exercising in the morning, if you have diabetes, is a heck of a lot easier. The fact that I haven't eaten or bolused in about 8 hours eliminates so many variables. It's totally worth the 5am alarm.

- if you, like me, find yourself biting your nails or picking at your fingers, put hand cream on. All the time. It tastes nasty and help stop you from doing it. It all else fails, paint your nails in bright colours.

- if you have trouble committing to your running (swimming or cycling) routine, sign up for a race. Pay the fee. Tell people you're training for it. The odds are better that you'll get your runs (swims, rides) in.

- use good face wash and skin cream. Your skin will thank you. Don't wait until your skin itches and cracks before digging out the cream. Put it on after you shower, from head to toe. You'll feel so much better.

- say yes to things that scare you. Sign up for races that are a little too far for comfort. Raise your hand when they ask for volunteers. Offer to speak in front of people. Soon enough, these things won't be scary anymore and you'll be looking for other things that scare you.

- never ever ever stop fighting. For yourself. For your health. For love. For friendships. For your sanity. For your family. For the people who can't fight for themselves.

- take care of your body. Have fun and enjoy life but take care of your body. I'm not even 40 yet and I can see the difference it makes in people my age who take care. It's an uphill battle as the years go by. Never stop trying to be as healthy as you can.

- invest in your future. Life can change on a dime. You need to be responsible for yourself and make sure that you're ok.

- try new recipes. It's easy to get stuck in a rut and get bored with the menu. Try some of those funny-looking vegetables you see at the grocery store. They're actually quite tasty.

- don't avoid any food groups because you read that they might be bad for you. Carbs are ok. Fats are too. So is protein. Do a bit of research so you know the difference between healthy and unhealthy options and then enjoy.

- tell the people you love that you love them. Over and over and over.

- open your mind. You might be surprised at how much you like things you thought you didn't. Heck, I spent last weekend watching the Masters for goodness sakes. And I loved it! I also discovered curling that way. And running.

- don't judge. Just don't. Period. You can't possibly know why people do what they do, why they end up where they are, why they look the way they look and why they believe what they do. Ask if you really want to know but don't judge.

- buy the good stuff. Olive oil. Apple products. Skin cream. Running shoes. There are lots of things you can buy the lesser versions of. Some things you can't. Decide what those are for you and then buy the good stuff.

- if you have diabetes it sucks. I'm sorry but it does. That being said I want you to use it to make your life better. To make others' lives better. Take the time to teach people what diabetes really is. Dispel the myths. Stop the stereotypes.

- if you have something you love (a special perfume, an expensive jacket, a treasured watch) wear it. Don't save it for the perfect day. It might never come. Don't save the things you love. Love them. Wear them out. Show them that you love them.