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Permalink Reply by Mikeonline2821 on April 11, 2012 at 8:17pm

Todd,

The day I was diagnosed I started to think "how can I help others" I am probably the most "chilled out" dude you would ever meet and I do well working with people in all kinds of stressful and non-stressful situations. I work in a very high energy and high stress job and I deal with it day by day.

For the lunch items what do you have access to? Like when you travel do you have an office that you go to each day or is it more like what I do and you are all over the place running from place to place? If you are in an office environment you could bring pre-made microwave meals that are made healthy. I like using the Healthy Choice for a quick and easy to eat meal. For self made meals I do a lot of sandwiches with healthy meats. Lunch meats are tricky you have to be pretty picky. I use a lot of cut up veggies, granola bars, healthy yogurt, and stuff like that for the side dish. Also there are pre-assembled chef salads also that you could grab from most grocery stores and go with. Or you can make them yourself and use some Tupperware to carry them. It sounds like you need to maybe go see a dietitian and get some personal help with your specific situation.

Personally I do an enormous amount of reading (internet and books) and my wife and mother-in-law are amazing with food and nutrition stuff so I am lucky it is like having dietitians around all the time. But seriously I believe I now know why I am on this earth and that is to help others so please don't hesitate to ask. Especially here on TuD because one way or another you will find what you are looking for hopefully. Even if that help is just seeing others are willing to help.

So if you are stuck on food you can possibly try to get with a dietitian. I have not read it totally yet but I did get a book for diabetic food stuff called "Complete Guide to Carb Counting: How to Take the Mystery Out of Carb Counting and Improve Your Blood Glucose Control" my brief overview read of it was good. I thumb through most of the chapters and looked at some of the reading. It talks a lot about the foods. There are also some really good diabetes cook books that could help with food ideas. It all depends on what access you have in the hotel to normal cooking options and what you have when you are "at work" each day. Just like any problem it is good to even just start asking for help. Keep up the good work you sound like you are willing to try new techniques you just need to understand what they are.

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Permalink Reply by Todd Carey on April 12, 2012 at 7:23am

I just reread this with a somewhat clearer head today (although yet another pod crashed in the night so my sugars are wacked this morning) and I appreciate the specifics. I am going to look at getting into a Suite style room instead of this cushy Marriott and start shopping for the week Monday nights when I get in. The Healthy Choice is a great idea and something I forgot that I used to do. You're a good man, thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by Mikeonline2821 on April 12, 2012 at 7:26am

I do what I can when I can. Have a great day and a better weekend.

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Permalink Reply by Todd Carey on April 12, 2012 at 7:28am

Fly home tomorrow, home and Son= better! Cheers!

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Permalink Reply by smileandnod on April 12, 2012 at 11:47am

That's the way I eat also. I use the Healthy Choice frozen dinners for lunch at work frequently. It's fast, easy, and mindless because it has the carb count on the box. Sandwiches are an easy carb count meal too.

When you're trying to get better control and checking your I:C ratios, it really helps me to use carb counts that I'm fairly certain of.

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Permalink Reply by juliannaergrl on April 11, 2012 at 1:49pm

I use a completely different approach when I feel like I am out of control with my diabetes... I take it literally ONE day at a time, or one meal at a time sometimes... I.e. I will plan what I am going to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, write it down the night before along with insulin doses... Then I make sure I have everything I need to be successful, I e, all the food I need available insulin, glucometer etc. Then I work on just that one day and getting things right. I find that if I work on just one day a week at a time things get better. So, I might try just Mondays for a while, but very qckly I realize how much better I feel and then I add Tuesday. Just as I spiraled out of control, I spiral right back in cause I feel better and want to be successful.

As for foods, planning is key, and I don't mean packing your food ahead of time. I am a paramedic and I work 24 hour shifts, that means I plan ahead for that 24 hours, hit the local grocery store where you are after you check into your hotel, get some precut fruits and veggies, maybe some cheese and meat with crackers whatever you want... Just make sure it's simple, premise works best for me even though it costs more. And then I try to make healthy choices when I eat out, subway instead of McDonald's, chicken instead of beef all that jazz. But there will be neat little local restaurants with sandwiches and healthy things you can try, just ask at the front desk.

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Permalink Reply by Todd Carey on April 11, 2012 at 1:56pm

Looks like I have some good reading for tonight. Thanks everyone for giving a crud enough to comment for me!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Chris Miller on April 11, 2012 at 2:50pm

If your life is structured enough and/or you are good at planning, I'd suggest detailing each week in advance. For example, know what you're going to eat for breakfast for the next 5 or 7 days. Write it down. Do the same for snacks, lunch, supper, etc. If you get into an exercise routine, write down when you will schedule in some exercise time. Nothing catches you by surprise then.

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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on April 11, 2012 at 5:30pm

Let me give you a suggestion. How about a coach? If money is really not that much of a concern, how about seeing if you can get someone who can help you figure out your goals, restructure your priorities, figure out a plan and then give you the continued oversight so that you stay on track.

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Permalink Reply by Todd Carey on April 11, 2012 at 7:00pm

Funny part about this really good idea you have.......On a good day in a good mood, I have been told I would be a great coach and mentor. It's the bad days and applying my own knowledge that lacks, but I'll definitely look into that more. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on April 12, 2012 at 5:15am

Well, I can tell you from experience, just because you are a good coach and give good advice, it doesn't mean you can follow it yourself. The good days are never a problem. It is the hard days, when everything is dark and depressing and out of control. That is when having someone who can reach into your world and shake you up makes a difference.

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Permalink Reply by drsoosie on April 11, 2012 at 6:30pm

Hi Todd,

Your frustration and angst really do speak loudly. I think all the other posters gave great ideas as to managing the mechanics of this disease. I was wondering this. Do you have something else you have done in your life that you really wanted and would let nothing stop you from getting? I would try to touch in to the feelings and motivations from that experience and remember the feeling you had once you finally accomplished what you set out to do. You sound quite educated about diabetes and what's what in regard to that.It seems you have more of a lack of the emotional motivation that's needed to stay "on track" so to speak. I believe the only place you will find that is within yourself. I do think posting here shows you are digging deep trying to find that. I believe in the phrase "where there is a will there is a way." Don't base your future on the past. Tomorrow really is another day and can be a new beginning. I wish you the best of luck.

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