100 Days of Diabetes!

In honor of my 100th day with diabetes I wanted to share the story of another man to whom the number 100 is quite important:

100 Things

Here's a short description of who he is and what he's doing taken from his website:

"Everyone has at least one thing they have to do before they die. Some even have a list. But how many goals and dreams on this list are actually achieved?

In 2009, at the ripe-old age of 27, Sebastian realized that like most people, he has not achieved anything on his long-forgotten list.?? The death of a close friend combined with a naturally abstract view on life sparks a moment of clarity. In the midst of overseas trip, Sebastian decides to put pen to paper and re-create a list of 100 Things. His goal, to tick off everything. It’s the start of a crazy, no holds barred adventure that sees Sebastian travel to the ends of the earth on a quest to prove that anything is possible, including true fulfillment.

Along the way, Sebastian strives to raise $100,000 for Camp Quality (Item # 4), a great organization creating happiness for children and families affected by cancer."

I am truly inspired by this man's commitment to really living fully. And he asks a great question: What's your 100 list consist of?

Dailies:

12:28 -> 107 Took 2 Prandin and 1 unit of Novolog (because my number was over 100) w/cereal 120c, pb and banana 47c, apple 20c, apple 25c. Ran 6.5 miles!!
5:52 -> 58 Low because of the run. Took 3 P w/pea soup 100c, salad 30c, grapefruit 24c, orange 18c, apple 18c, 2 cookies 35c, Larabar 31c.
11:42 -> 70 Had Larabar 31c, potato wedge 9c.
4:19 -> 99 Took 3 units Lantus and had apple 25c.

Day 100

Running and Smiling

Anybody who's read Born to Run may remember an interesting study done which demonstrated a link between the speed and cardiovascular capacity of a runner and his/her emotional state. In other words you can run faster and longer when you're happy. Surprised? I probably was a bit myself the first time I came across this info. But you shouldn't be. In fact, nothing makes better sense. Time flies (and so do you!) when you're having fun. Everything becomes better when you're in a positive state of mind. Happy children learn more in school. Happy people live longer. Happy athletes perform better.

So I woke up today and knew that part of the slump I had been in for a few days was caused in part by lack of physical activity. Here I am at the physical peak of my life and just sitting around for several consecutive days. What a waste. And even though lethargy is addictive, so is exercise. All it takes is that first plunge.

I donned a wool undershirt and some shorts, pulled a beanie over my ears and set out to loop the park. A short and rapid stride seemed to come naturally so I unleashed my legs and started off at a pretty quick pace. As I began to tire about two miles in I realized my mind was going through this endless cycle of dread. Dreading the pain of running, the hill coming up, a potential sugar high or low, the stiffness of cold hands, etc. How lame!!

Then I forced myself to smile. And just that simple act, a forced smile caused my gaze to rise from the ground in front of me to the nature around me. Instead of the cold on my hands I felt the warmth on my face. Instead of feeling the pain in my joints I felt the pleasure in my muscles. And as quickly as it took for those facial muscles to contract, life became good again.

Dailies:

12:01 -> 86 Love it! 80s! Took 2 Prandin w/cereal 120c. Went for a 4.5 mile run.
3:34 -> 93 Kinda sorta hoped to be lower, but the number's actually good. Took 3 Prandin w/black beans 67c, tortillas 33c, quinoa 60c, salsa 14c, kale 3c, seaweed 15c, apple sauce 15c. Later had a cookie 18c (good lord it was good!), apple 30c, another cookie (did I mention how good they were?). At 10:20 i felt LOW so had a Larabar 31c.
11:54 -> 103 Took 2 Prandin w/dinner: Mache salad 20c, chick pea/beet/carrot salad 45c, grapefruit 25c, 1 cup lentil soup 25c.
2:18 -> 199 A bit high, but I only just finished eating the grapefruit. I'll take 3 units of Lantus tonight because I ran today and have a busy day tomorrow and don't want to risk lows.

As a side note: I never felt any depression today. Thanks exercise!

Day 98

Black Eyed Peas (and bike ride!)

And there are many reasons why.

In anticipation of getting an early morning phone call to go shopping at the Park Slope Food Coop (best produce in the city) I went to bed early the previous night. I explored my neighborhood before 11:00 (when I usually wake up) and found the energy tangible. I also stopped to get a few more vegan flavor enhancers: miso, kombu, dried mushrooms (soon I'll add nutritional yeast to my arsenal as well!).

I got several errands done before noon, before settling down to watch a film. When 2:00 rolled around and I realized that I had been stood up by my workout partner I decided the day was too good to waste indoors and so I took my gorgeous 20 year old Trek 1000 "Sea Way" out for a spin. I started by coasting down the hill, then took a right when I hit a red. This eventually lead me to a bridge, which I crossed, and then was spit out at the hudson river, so I turned north and started pedaling stopping once to pee and drink some water but otherwise just chugging along in t-shirt and shorts with the full force of an abnormally radiant March sun carrying me along. Couples were making out on the green, old men were fishing, children were wobbling along on their scooters and everybody was happy and grateful to be outside in 70 degree weather for the first time all year. Even the cherry blossoms had begun to bloom, explosions of pink as if from a fairy that just vanished. I felt as if I was running from sun and chasing speed. It felt good to go fast, to sweat, my thighs simmering with every rotation. When I hit the 190s I called a friend who lived in the area and then stopped at his apartment. I'm converted.

He pays less for an old three bedroom apartment that was gutted and renovated to be a huge 2 bedroom apartment then I did in queens for a medium two bedroom apt. He has a corner apartment with seven windows on the fifth floor overlooking the cloisters. It's amazing! And I caught him in a 30 minute window of when he was home in the afternoon, before heading off to his birthday dinner, and then I was off again. This time homeward bound.

The ride home seemed much faster despite riding against the wind, with quickly tiring legs and into the sun (I need some sunglasses). I got home right as the sun set, a 35 mile ride in total. If I get more comfortable with that type of mileage I can start going to some pretty exciting places.

Back at home, the black eyed peas I had been soaking all day were ready to be cooked.

Black Eyed Peas

1 onion chopped
4 stalks celery chopped
2 jalepenos chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
7 cloves garlic smashed
3-4 cups soaked and strrained black eyed peas
2 cups kale leaves

Cumin, Paprika, Chili Powder, Coriander, Cinnamon, Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt to taste.

 Brown the onions, celery, jalepenos, bell pepper and garlic and then added the BEPs with water enough to cover them. Next add the cumin, paprika, chili powder, coriander, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar and salt. An hour later I added kale leafs and served. It was divine. For a hungry man I couldn't have asked for a better meal.

I served it along an arugula salad with olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, onions, sprouts and sunflower seeds, and a seaweed (kombu) salad with sesame, rice vinegar and sesame oil.

Dailies:

10:48 -> 129 A tad high for the morning. Took 3 Prandin with cereal 110, grapefruit 25c, apple 15c, yellow pepper 7c, 2 kiwis 20c.
2:17 -> 138 Had indian food with spinach 60c then went for 35 mile bike ride during which ate an apple 15c and apple sauce 30c.
6:40 -> 79 Had 2 clementines 18c, then took 3 Prandin with salad 40c, seaweed 10c, black eyed peas w/kale 100c, then orange 18c and fake coffee 4c and raw bok choy 3c.
1:42 -> 145 Still a bit hungry, I probably should have eaten more right after dinner while the Prandin was still in my body. But supposedly it has a half life of an hour, so now would be too late to eat anything substantial despite being hungry.

Tomorrow I'll have to stuff myself a bit to make sure to make up for the calories burned on the ride.

Day 90

Kettlebells

                                              (this is the reason I've been in pain the past 4 days)

The other day was a good friend's birthday. This particular friend and I happen to be training for the eventual completion of a race in the future. We had long gone without training together and had pursued physical health on our own. He's primarily a gym rat, while I prefer jogs and stair running. Reuniting after several weeks prompted us to schedule a joint workout, one that involved both cardio and strength work. Featured prominently were kettlebells, or as wikipedia describes them:


"The kettlebell or girya (Russian: ги́ря) is a cast-iron weight (resembling a cannonball with a handle) used to perform ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training.[1] Russian kettlebells are traditionally measured in weight by pood, which (rounded to metric units) is defined as 16 kilograms (35 lb).[2][3]


Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell's center of mass is extended beyond the hand, similar to Indian clubs or ishi sashi. This facilitates ballistic and swinging movements.[4] By their nature, typical kettlebell exercises build strength and endurance, particularly in the lower back, legs, and shoulders, and increase grip strength"

We chose 15 different exercises: kettle swings, squat presses, standing back row, push-up rows, side squats, tricep dips... to name a few, and executed one after the other for 45 seconds with 15 second rest to prepare for the next exercise. We did the entire sequence twice, and then a third time modified to only 30 seconds of exercise and only the 8 hardest exercises. My body will be sore for days!

Dailies:

10:44 -> 108 Took 2 Prandin with cereal 110c and apple 25c. Worked out with Ian and Lori and kettlebells. It was epically hard.
1:58 -> 156 Took 2 Prandin with lunch at ANGELICA restaurant and ordered the Dragon Bowl approximately 140c. At 5:00 had 2 kiwis 20c.
6:07 -> 138 Took 1 Prandin with lentil soup with rice 100c (over 2 hours), peanuts 8c. At 9:30 had a grapefruit 23c.
12:52 -> 87 Took 2 Prandin with salad 25c, strawberries 30c, bell pepper 7c, carrots 28c w/pb 6c.
3:20 -> 172 That's still within 2 hours of eating. Not too bad, but a little high.

It's going to hurt to sit tomorrow.

Day 86

No Insulin Experiment

"This is my quest, to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far."
~ Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha

The results are in and I am pleased to say that I survived my first synthetic insulin free day since December 19, 2011. Does anybody else find this as insanely awesome as I do? What a freakin' journey. I went to the doctor with all the classic symptoms of diabetes. I had an A1C of 13, a blood sugar level of 569, a C Peptide level of .55. In common English that translates to "YOU HAVE DIABETES DUDE!" This to me was an unbeatable disease, that's what everybody said. But in those early days I forgot a very powerful truth.

Unbeatable is not the same as unfightable.

I am very very lucky right now. My doctor has said it before and I've realized it many times since. I'm lucky. I've reversed every number that I just listed. My A1C continues to drop, and if I continue on my current trajectory I hope to get back an A1C under 7 when I get blood work done next week. My blood glucose was 67 last I checked and my C Peptide is 1.65, back in the healthy range.

Now, just because I've stopped taking insulin doesn't mean my Diabetes is in remission or anything like that. I'm still on 6 pills a day. I suffer lows an highs on a daily basis. But remember this:

A diagnosis is not a death sentence.

There are two ways to deal with being diagnosed with any type of Diabetes. You can bend over and allow Western medicine and western doctors to make a statistic out of you, or you can do everything in your power to maintain as close to normal health as possible. Make changes. Be an outlier. And keep up the good fight!

Dailies:

10:43 -> 89 This is my first fasting sugar level after not taking basal insulin. Took 2 Prandin with cereal 110c. At 1:30 had strawberries 30c. At 2:00 had 2 mandarin oranges 17c. At 3:30 had blueberries and nuts 10c. At 4:30 had an apple 25c in anticipation of a workout. Ran with sprints, about 4 miles.
5:30 -> 75 Took 2 Prandin with dinner: lentil soup with rice 100c and salad 30c and 2 mandarin oranges 17c. At 8 had strawberries 30 and fake coffee 4c. At 9:30 had an apple 15c, a cookie 10c and my last orange 9c.
12:31 -> 67 Took 2 Prandin with supper: red cabbage and squash 100c (that's a LOT of cabbage) and beans 57c and quinoa 30c.
3:26 -> 182 I'm not unhappy with this number. A little high, sure, but not so high, and since it's three hours since my last pills I'd guess this number is heading down. Will be interesting to see my morning number on what will be Day 2 of the experiment!

Gratitudes:
1. I held my blood sugar under 200 on my first day off insulin.
2. I felt compelled to periodically sprint during my run today.
3. The sun was out and the sky was clear. Spring is almost here.

Doc told me last time I saw her that she wanted my body to "cool down" which was the reason for ditching the Gluten and for ramping up the vitamins. Well, I'd say my body's pretty cool right now.

Day 78

Habit Linking

Habit Linking - I googled this term and found nothing so I'm going to claim this as a GI Jon original. To best explain how I came up with this practice and this term I have to take you back to 2010.

In the summer of 2010 I had been touring the world for three years as a puppeteer in the show Walking with Dinosaurs. I had long since put aside my rigorous physical habits of the past in order to better absorb all aspects of the local cultures I was visiting. In other words, I hardly thought it a productive use of my time to be stretching and strengthening my body when I could spend the same time visiting an ancient temple or observing a tea ceremony.

I'm a pretty tough guy and pride myself on being able to power through most things, but after getting a particularly painful massage in Japan the masseuse told me that the root of most of my physical ailments was a lack of flexibility. I heard what she said, but it wasn't enough to get me to change my habits. It wasn't until a week later at a gym in Nagoya where I went to train with my co-workers that I realized I had the tightest hamstrings of all of them. Tell me I have tight hamstrings and I'll probably give you a chuckle. Tell me I have tighter hamstrings than somebody else and you've made it a competition. Now I felt motivated. But stretching is something that needs to be done daily, multiple times daily if you really want to improve. How would I ever remember to make this lifestyle adjustment especially when my life was so exciting and random all the time? I pondered this question for awhile and finally a light bulb went off.

Think of your typical week, for a moment, if such a thing even exists for you. Are there any things you do, every day? Well, you probably sleep every day, and eat every day, and more than likely use the restroom every day. But those are all things that your body tells you to do. There's no discipline in going to sleep or in deciding to eat, or relieving yourself, that's automatic. Okay, are there any things you do every day that you don't HAVE to do? There are dozens and they're different for different people - making your bed, brushing your teeth, journaling, reading the newspaper, who knows. The one I chose was brushing your teeth, and here's why.

I brush my teeth twice a day, every day, 365 days a year. It takes about 3 minutes when you include flossing. It only engages my hands and my mouth.

My goal was increased flexibility in my legs, specifically my hamstrings, adductors and my IT Band. That's three stretches on two legs - 6 stretches at 30 seconds each is 3 minutes. It was a perfect fit.

Now the first two weeks are crucial, you HAVE to remember to link the habits EVERY day. Every time I brushed my teeth I made sure to stretch, even if I was short on time and rushing a little, I made sure to go through the motions. The most important thing in the first two weeks is not to get more flexible but to train your body to associate the act of brushing your teeth with the act of stretching, linking a very new activity to a very well engrained habit. After two weeks the new habit is pretty well engrained and the pudding came a few months later. I had changed hotel rooms a half dozen times, switched countries thrice and was in a new timezone, and practically a new hemisphere, and I had just gotten back from an all night rave on the beach! I went into my room to brush my teeth before work, and it was all I could do not to pass out right there. But as I was brushing something felt weird. I felt anxious. Was it because this was my last week on tour? No.. that wasn't it. Maybe it was the day I had in front of me, two baby ts? Nah, that wasn't it either. While I tried to figure out why I felt so weird, I casually threw my leg up on the sink and leaned forward over it, I felt the burn of my muscle fibers stretching... and the anxiety went away.

Need a visual example? Watch this clip from The Office.

Workout today: 7x1000 meters at 1:48 with 6x500 meters at about 2:50 (rest).

1. I'm grateful for Thursday night bowling.
2. I'm grateful that I can afford to own a super awesome Concept 2 Model D ergometer.
3. I'm grateful that I live in an age where lots of information on health and nutrition is available for those with courage and a library card.

Dailies:

11:27 -> 88 Took 2 Prandin w/cereal 110c (walked to yoga, but it was cancelled) Did my rowing workout. At 2:30 had celery with tahini 15c.
4:00 -> 68 Nice! I love the slow downward creep post workout! Took 2 Prandin with a big yam 65c, broccoli w/homemade pesto 40c and a small cup of lentils & quinoa 40c.
7:45 -> 118 While this number is fine normally I want a higher Pre-Joey number. Had apple 20c and peanuts 5c. At intermission 9:30 I had 1/3 grapefruit 10c and peanuts 5c. After the show at 11:00 I had my pre-bowling beer. Took 5 units of Lantus at 1:00am.
2:23 -> 69 Happy with this number. Had a salad 30c with no medication and I'm going to bed now.

Day 72

Making Metaphorical Lemonade

I came across this video today:

And even though it's pretty clear to me that the guy is not actually in need of crutches it still reminded me of the potential for people to overcome handicaps in truly remarkable ways.

Here's a more real example, this dancer goes by the name BBoy Junior:

He has polio in one of his legs. But look what he's done with the rest of his body!

Dailies:

11:53 -> 128 Took 2 Prandin w/cereal 110c. Did a 5x10 minute (mild, medium, 5xsprints, medium, mild) piece on the erg, about 12K. Then had a protein shake 6c.
3:31 -> 76 Back in action! After a day of rest and needing lots of Prandin I'm excited that a little workout knocks me down a bit again. Took 2 more Prandin with Broccoli 40c, quinoa 40c, split peas 60c. At 6:00 had fake coffee 6c and at 8:30 I had an apple 20c.
10:42 -> 97 Took 2 Prandin and had Supper: Salad 35c, split peas 50, quinoa 40c. Also took 5 units Lantus.
2:50 -> 225 Dang, you're high. I guess either not enough working out (meh). And I didn't even finish my meal. I have to remember that the Lantus stops working after my evening dinner so my late night supper needs to have fewer carbs than usual.

Also, I'd like to say to everybody who reads this (so that I'm held accountable) that ever since I've switched from bolus insulin to the pill Prandin I've become much more irresponsible when it comes to remembering to take my basal insulin (Lantus). I haven't missed a dose yet, but I don't do it at a set time, and when I'm about to sleep I find myself remembering in a panic and then rushing to take it. This is not a good trend. Suggestions? Maybe I'll try taking it earlier, closer to the end of the show so that I can habit link... you know what habit linking is, right? Sounds like an idea for a future post!

1. Grateful to be strong enough to push myself.
2. Grateful for my amazing apartment.
3. Grateful for the little inspiring emails and messages I get periodically from people about my diabetes.

Day 70

Listen to Your Body

You're body's smarter than you think. My body's way smarter than I knew. I can remember back to the months before I was diagnosed. I had started doing several new things that with further research turned out to be good for diabetics. My body knew and was searching for homeopathic remedies without me even knowing it. This is not unique to my body. Everybody is born with this knowledge, with the ability to understand the language your body is speaking. It's a language we unlearn from lack of use. But stop and listen. What is your body saying to you? Are you high? Are you low? How's your energy level? How does your stomach feel? your legs? your eyes? Are you tired?

Today mine was telling me to work out. I heard it, but unfortunately I had already committed to getting body work done. I had a massage and acupuncture scheduled (poor me, right?). Normally I would be thrilled to spend a day luxuriating myself, but today was 55 and sunny, and my body is getting so used to working out that taking a day off has two affects on me. First, it makes me antsy and more easily unhappy. Second, it makes my metabolism of glucose less productive.

BUT

Rather than stick to my normal pill to carb ratio, I listened to my body and was able to manipulate the medication accordingly. In doing so I ended up with fairly normal sugar levels throughout the day, although I did take more medication than usual.

Dailies:
11:55 -> 82 Took 2 Prandin w/cereal (no yogurt!) 95c and pb bagel 32c. At 2:00 had fake coffee 5c. At 3:00 had 1/2 Larabar 13c.
5:01 -> 127 Big slice of gluten free pizza 40c. Took 1 Prandin and had other 1/2 Larabar 13c.
7:06 -> 145 I'm averaging higher today it seems. Took 2 Prandin w/ Chipotle bowl 110c.
11:26 -> 158 Well, this is obviously the affect of not working out all day. I guess I'll have to hit it hard tomorrow. Took 2 Prandin w/ salad 30c and broccoli 40c, deliberately overmedicating to bring myself down a little. Took 5 units Lantus.
2:53 -> 111 I'm very pleased with this number, and am happy with the way I managed a drop in blood glucose. But I'd rather not take 7 Prandin in a day if I can avoid it.

Gratitudes:
1. I'm grateful for the free ticket to see William Shatner today which also featured a guest appearance by Brad Paisley.
2. I'm grateful for the ability to sit for a half hour in Riverside park while the sun broke through the clouds and struck me with its warmth.
3. I'm grateful for the privilege of complimentary massage and acupuncture, and practitioners who are very talented and also wonderful people.

Day 70

Three Gratitudes

I'd like to share a video I came across on the internet. It's a lecture given at the 2012 Ted Talks by Shawn Achor about happiness. It's pretty remarkable, but there are a few things in particular that I took from it.

1. Only 10% of your happiness is determined externally, as in affected by your surroundings. The other 90% has to do with you and the way you look at the world.
2. You can improve your 90% with a few simple daily exercises. He includes: 3 daily gratitudes, journaling, exercise, meditation, random acts of kindness.

This means that even though I'm a super happy guy generally I can be happier still. I take on his challenge. For the next week I'll list three things I'm grateful for each day. So here goes nothing!

Gratitudes:
1. I'm grateful today that I was able to put together a great show for a sold-out audience.
2. I'm grateful for the opportunity to see Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark.
3. I'm grateful I have friends willing to join me for a Sunday night of jazz guitar.

That was easy. There are tons more, but three for now.

Watch the video, get inspired.


Dailies:

10:37 -> 99 Took 2 Prandin w/cereal 110c. Apple 20c at 12:30, and another 20c at 2:00
2:47 -> 120 Good Pre-Joey number. Had fake coffee 7c. At intermission (4:30) I had pb toast 14c.
6:21 -> 70 Had a salad 35c. At 11:00 had a glass of red wine.
12:54 -> 89 Took 2 Prandin with dinner: beans 67c, salsa 12c, avocado 15c, chips 18c, brussels sprouts 18c, 2 eggs = 130c. Because it's late I'll probably end up a little high, but that feels like a safer option than going to sleep low, especially because that one glass of wine got me a little tipsy.
2:58 -> 102 Hmm... Because of the wine, and the fact that I took 2 Prandin, and the fact that it's so late I'm going to say that I wanted this number to be a little bit higher before going to bed. The Prandin usually hits me slowly so I don't think it's done working. To play it safe I had 2 cookies 18c that I dunked in peanut butter 4c. I'm such a fatty sometimes.

This video and this message are pertinent to diabetics because they have a twofold risk of becoming depressed compared to the rest of the population based on the National Institute of Mental Health. I don't know the ins and outs of why, but it doesn't take a doctoral degree to realize that newly diagnosed diabetics are vulnerable to feelings of futility and hopelessness that can quickly escalate into depression. Rather than allowing these problems to grow empower yourself with the knowledge necessary to objectively deal with each and ultimately get your life back in under control.

Day 69

Hour of Power

I swear, sometimes I only workout because I know that at the end of the day I'll have something to write about. I dread a blank screen more than I dread a painful training session and so I give myself a minute to decide what sort of workout is best and then I just do it. I wonder if that's the best thing that comes of writing this blog. But if so, then this blog is successful indeed. They call that something, don't they? Doing something not of your own accord but for somebody or something else. They do - they call it accountability.

Who or what are you accountable to? We all have things we could do better. If you're a Type 1.5 diabetic like me, maybe your A1C lives near the 8% mark and you want to get it lower. Maybe you're a type 2 and your goal is weight loss. Or you've taken on the Gluten Free Challenge and find yourself faltering, standing in the aisles at the grocery store with a hand on a box of mac and cheese, or in line at a sandwich shop. Maybe you're training for a competition, or just working towards your own personal goal. Are you a creative type who keeps resolving to start that novel, or finish that screenplay?

Everywhere I look I see people with wonderful wonderful goals. One friend wants to learn Portuguese so he can go to Brazil for the world cup. Another wants to save enough money to buy a house. One has aspirations to be a great banjo player. But goals are cheap. They are. It's a beautiful word that belongs somewhere near maybe or could in the dictionary.

I wrote a bit about willpower yesterday. But today I want you to think about what role accountability can play in fortifying your willpower. And when you're done thinking about it, choose one of your goals (preferably one that is attainable in the near-term, say a month or two) and find a way to hold yourself accountable. Make a pledge to someone who will check in on you and monitor your progress.

So what's an hour of power anyway?

Well, it's a very unoriginal name for sitting on an ergometer...

...and pulling you're butt off...

...for an hour.

It hurts. It's long. It's boring. BUT...




When you finish you realize you've just rowed 9.5 miles, a solid hour, burned over 1000 calories and you know that you are stronger and healthier than you were before. And what's more, you've built your self-confidence and strengthened your resolve. Next time will be easier and easier still until you'll have to make the workout harder to keep up with your progress.

But for those of you who read this only for the fitness aspect, yes, I realize that I've done two epic cardio workouts in one week. I had to do it to prove to myself that I could. It was mental training. Did I have what it would take to push through a distance. I answered that question. My question for next week is, how much intense pain can I suffer in the short term. In other words, sprints, and things like sprints, and lots of them.

Dailies:

12:17 -> 120 Seems a peculiar number. had 2 Prandin w/cereal 110c. Rowed a POWER HOUR! Had an orange 16c and salad w/quinoa 45c and chicken.
5:37 -> 77 Took a Prandin with chicken, quinoa 40c, indian eggplant 26c, orange 16c. Did Joey. At 9:30 had pb toast 15c, protein shake 5c and fake coffee 8c. At 10:45 had a shot of tequila, beer and Larabar 26c. Took 5 units Lantus at 1:50
2:40 -> 74 Don't feel like taking meds and waiting, so I just had baby zucchini 12c w/ tahini 5c.

Day 65

How to Run 8 Miles

Leave your apartment. Start running. Ignore the pain. Don't stop for 8 miles.

That's all it took. Crazy how easy something like that is. The longest I had ever run previously was 6 miles and that was only once and over a year and a half ago. The next longest would have been 5 miles and that was only once and over three years ago. I just decided it was time to run really far, and the park happens to be .6 miles from my house and the park happens to be 3.45 miles around. One lap wasn't enough.

So... I guess I can run 8 miles. Sweet!

Wanna know what else the 8 mile run did for me? It made me need a lot of carbs today. You'll see, but today was a glorious day of eating.

In fact, here's a recipe I've started enjoying pretty regularly as an alternative to my all time favorite dish of brussels sprouts.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

2 Heads of Broccoli
1/2 a Cauliflower
5 cloves of garlic
tin of anchovies
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

Cut the Broccoli and Cauliflower into florets, place with the garlic in a greased cast iron skillet and throw in the oven at about 375 for about 30 minutes, maybe longer. With a mortar and pestle crush the anchovies into a paste, add the olive oil to thin it out. When the broccoli is soft enough to cut with a spatula, pour into a mixing bowl with the anchovy mixture, parmesan and red pepper flakes. Mix until everything is evenly distributed. Enjoy.

Dailies

11:22 -> 103 Took 2 Prandin with Breakfast: Cereal 110c, banana 25c, went for an 8 mile run and had gu 25c after the first lap. When I finished running I had an orange 20c, apple 20c, protein shake 18c and blueberries 10c.
3:47 -> 79 Had a pack of snow peas 24c.
7:01 -> 77 Nice! Broccoli and Cauliflower 50c, beans 35c, salsa 12c, avocado 15c, chips 36c, 2 eggs, sorghum beer*, 2 cups teeccino* with soy milk.
3:06 -> 76 Blueberries 20c and Bed.

Day 61


*more on these products later.

I'm in Love with my Bike

I can't really remember the last time I bought a bike. I used my dad's 20 year old mountain bike the summer of 2009, and before that I hopped around on different used and busted hoopdies. But this bike called out to me. A good metaphor for love. I wasn't even looking when I found it at last. It's perfect - my size, my style, fast, sturdy, classic.

Even though it's mid winter I was desperate to take her out for a spin. So today I threw on my new biking shoes, a down vest, and some wool leggings and clipped in. The virgin ride was a mere 8 miles, two laps of Prospect Park which was all my ungloved hands could take. Forty degrees may not be cold when your walking, but when your barreling down a hill at 30 mph it makes what started as dry skin into chapped and bleeding skin. But the speed was thrilling, and over the course of the ride I became familiar with the mounting and dismounting of clip pedals.

I guess I'm in the market for some riding gloves, and maybe a few better suited pairs of leggings to match.

Numbers:

11:27 -> 102 Breakfast: Salad 30c, snow peas 8c, grapefruit 26c = 64c = 1 unit. Went on an 8 mile bike ride. Had 6c beverage.
3:34 -> 80 Lunch: Brussels sprouts and broccoli 20c, salmon, rice 70c, beans 44c, protein shake 50c, apple 20c, chips 20c, orange 15c and my vitamins = 243c = 4 units.
6:11 -> 85 Checked because I was feeling a little bit lightheaded. To prepare for Joey I had an apple 20c, macadamia nuts 4c, coffee 4c. During Act 2 I had 12c of a Larabar.
12:54 -> 76 Dinner: Salad 30c, sweet potatoes 50c, shrimp 5c, beans 44c, chips 20c, grapefruit 26c, 2 cookies 18c = 194 = 3 units Novolog and 5 units Lantus.
3:33 -> 171 Bummer, that's the highest I've been in almost a week. I wonder why. I guess I did have 14c too many at dinner, but I didn't want to be low before bed. I did start to go low during dinner, as if the insulin was working faster than the sugar. Hypothesis: The insulin reacted faster than my food causing hypoglycemia mid meal, but post meal the insulin started wearing off whereas the fat from the meal finally allowed the carbs to be broken down causing late hyperglycemia.

I hope I wake tomorrow between 80-125.

Day 53

Running Mileage - 4

By the time my alarm let fly its second beep I was standing up, curtains drawn, hands to the ceiling in a glorious morning stretch. There was no third beep. I was full from the previous night's massive dinner so I forwent breakfast, bundled up in wool underwear and a down vest and put the rubber to the pavement for a 4 mile run. The weather was perfect and the run went well. Seth and I each carried his pack (7 pounds maybe?) half the distance. We did about 8 minute miles. Afterward we did some basic parcour drills around a kiddie park until our bodies ached all over.

It feels so good to be able to push my body again, to see the wall approaching and then accelerate through it. And the quality of my soreness has changed. My muscles feel the aftermath of a brutal workout but almost instantly I feel them rebuilding. It's a bit like this scene in Family Guy. Peter represents me, and the various weapons he uses are the various exercises I do. The barn is my muscular system, and the Amish represent cell repair. A better example would show the barn growing each time.

Also I saw my other training partner Peter today. He gave me a high five with the careless force of demolition ball - proof that he's been hitting the gym. Accountability, an oft overlooked but so crucial element in any training program. If you lack the mental strength to hold yourself accountable then bypass that weakness and find yourself a workout partner, or better yet two, or three. The more the better. If you're in NYC contact me. I'll workout with you.

Today also marked the first day of Broadway Bowling League. I bowled a 113 (pretty bad), but I also clocked the fastest single bowl of 21.4 mph. So I guess I half won...?


Numbers:

10:43 -> 130 Even though I'm probably high because of fat last night I'm going to take this as a sign and replace my Lantus.
1:02 -> 84 Just finished 4 mile run with exercises in the park which caused a 46 point drop. Must remember this for TM time. Cereal 110c, protein shake 5c = 115 = 2 units. At 2:24 I had vitamins and an apple 20c and at 5:20 I had peanuts 5c.
6:59 -> 72 Knew I'd be a little low because it had been a long time since my last proper meal. Dinner: Chicken, broccoli rabe 11c, spinach 12c, pb cookie 25c, coffeecake 20c, coffee 5c = 73c = 1 unit.
11:22 -> 100 Pb&j 50c, 1/2 grapefruit 13c = 63c = 1 unit. At 1:41 I took 5 units of my new Lantus.
2:47 -> 81 Because of my big workout this morning I'm going to protect nocturnal hypoglycemia with a shake: peanut butter 6c, almond milk 2c, protein powder 4c, ice = 12c.


With rehearsal tomorrow cancelled I have big plans for tomorrow. Taking my bike out for a spin, and maybe some writing, and errands. The future looks bright indeed!

Day 52

Diabetic Purchase - Bike

Days like today make me wonder if, even hypothetically, a diabetic (me) can workout so much that they don't need insulin anymore. When I don't workout I seem to live around a 40:1 ratio, but after I workout I often need more than 60 grams of carbs per unit insulin. That was a two hour workout. What if I literally worked out 10 hours a day by say... hiking across Spain, or cycling across America?

Did somebody mention cycling? What a coincidence. Because today i bought my first bike since... since, well I dunno, since a long time ago. This is what I got.

As listed on Craigslist:


"Classic 1992 Trek 1000, original owner, 58cm Alloy frame made in the USA, Mavic Open Pro wheels, Ultegra Hubs,San Marco Rolls saddle, Shimano 105 brakes, Chain is not stretched nor damaged, Shimano 7 speed RSX group set. New back tire. Bike is in a great condition."

Well, whaddya think? Tomorrow I'm going to head over to Ride Brooklyn and see if they can get me set up with either pedals or clip in shoes (probably pedals) and maybe a second bike lock.

Just another cross-training tool on my road to being the fittest diabetic.


Here are my numbers:
11:53 -> 119 Not bad. Had Cereal 110 with 2 units. Then did a BIG workout with Seth including at least 3 miles running and lots of circuit training including stairs. Had a Lara bar 31c during the workout.
3:22 -> 122 Lunch: Salad 30c, 2 blood oranges 30c, apple 22c, peanut butter on toast 18c = 100c = 2 units with vitamins.
5:43 -> 46 Dang it!! I should have known after such a big workout 50:1 wouldn't work. I had 13c of oj and 14c of a brownie.
8:40 -> 94 Dinnertime: Chips 31c, oysters 8c, brussels sprouts 18c, cheese 1c, pumpkin 32c, beans 67c, salsa 12c, sugar 4c = 173 = 3 units.
11:24 -> 97 Good.
12:45 -> Hungry again: chorizo 13c, tortillas 46c, beans 39c, eggs 3c, cheese 1c, apple 22c = 124c = 2 units.
3:15 -> 105 Good, I'm going to sleep on that number.

Tomorrow - yoga!

Day 49

Life is Good

"Today is a good day to die."
~ author of my favorite autobiography

I love this quote. I'm not exactly sure why. There's something so succinct and terminal, specific and honest. I'm not sure if the quote elevates the importance of death or elevates the value of a single day. One might be quick to read this quote as macabre, but let us not jump to that conclusion too quickly.

Think for a moment, what would be a good day to die? None, you may be thinking, but that's counter productive. As an exercise let's take a step back and think first what would be a bad day to die? Would you want to die young? No, that would be bad. Why? Well, because dying young assumes you die before your time, before you've experienced a lifetime worth of experiences. It assumes you have unfinished business, unresolved conflicts, unprofessed loves. What other circumstances would make a bad day to die? Rain, poverty, loneliness, weakness? Yes, because you wouldn't want your final moments to be surrounded by these lessened states.

Ah ha!!

There it is! Don't you see? That, precisely that, is the beauty of the quote! "Today is a good day to die" because today is a good day! My life has been full, the day is sunny, I am healthy and of positive disposition. So there it is, "today is a good day to die." But...

Today is also a great day to live!

I woke up to a sunny day in the 50s, played some music while I ate breakfast and then took my time getting ready for my first appointment, a trip to the acupuncturist. I felt as healthy as an ox and so asked him simply to boost me up more. He did.

Next I met Joe and Lili for some tasty delights at Baby Cakes. The cinnamon roll was good, the donut was waaaay better, and the cookie sandwich... (I'm gonna need a moment) Coconut butter, vanilla and sugar... thank you lord! I will be coming back to this place, and bringing all my friends and out-of-state relatives.

I was on the rest track tonight and despite doing 100+ pushups and about 40 pullups felt inadequately exercised so when I got home I rowed for 30 minutes. Dinner followed and so too shall bed.

#s
11:19 -> 118 Breakfast: Cereal 100c, bp&j bagel 45c, apple 15c = 160c = 4 units of insulin.
4:51 -> 122 Lunch: Chicken, mashed potatoes 43c, cooked broccoli rabe 7c, cinnamon roll 70c, donut 25c, cookie sandwich 10c = 155c = 4 units.
6:56 -> 92 A bit low to start a show, even a rest track. Had an apple 20c, then at 8:30 had a 5c protein shake.
12:23 -> 70 This is low, but I had just finished a 30 minute rowing piece. Dinner: beans 67, rice 63, salad 14c, apple 25c, red pepper & artichoke tapenade 9c, yam 30c = 208c = 5 units of Novolog (new pen) and only 5 units of Lantus (because the cardio workouts seem to be keeping me low enough).
2:47 -> 164 A bit high, but... I took a very long time eating and felt "low" in the middle. I need not to get distracted once I take insulin to avoid both mid-meal lows and post meal highs. (Although 164 really isn't that bad after a meal)

Saw a documentary film called Waste Land. It succeeded in keeping my focus off the pain of rowing and had the same tear jerking power as a good episode of Extreme Home Makeover. It's amazing what art can do.

Rowed 30 minutes and just over 7,500 meters. Didn't hurt too bad, but my back is getting pretty sore. I'm going to take it easy on my back for a few days. Maybe Thursday I'll do some yoga, or else go for a run or something.


Day 43

Check Your Pie

A good friend of mine and a very talented musical theatre performer from the UK once explained her life philosophy as follows:

"You have to think of your life as a pie. And there are three pieces of this pie. One piece is your body - your physical health. This has to do with sleep, fitness, diet, habits, etc. The next slice is your career, your job, your passions, what you work for, what you create, the reason to wake up in the morning. The final slice is love - the love between a father and son, two lovers, you and your friends and you and the people you smile at in the subway.

Make sure that you keep your three slices in balance and you're set. Remember to always check your pie!"

Today was very much that sort of day.

I woke up this morning and despite being sore from my late night row the previous evening I decided to strap on my running shoes, throw on a t-shirt (yes, I know it's January) and jog the circumference of Prospect Park. My knees were frozen, my hands two flesh blocks of ice and the tip of my nose redder than Rudolph, but I forced my way around the park sprinting when I could, walking when I had to and doing my best to will myself through the 4 mile loop. It felt good to get home.

A delicious breakfast later and I went to the Russian baths for a 3 hour lounge in the sweat rooms. Hot and cold, hot and cold, I daren't check my blood sugar for fear that a combination of the temperature extremes and the two back to back workouts were wreaking havoc on them. When I had sweat out any remaining impurities form my pre-diabetic life I showered, shaved, baptized myself in lotion and faced the world anew.

The final part of the evening was spent eating at an organic and gluten-free restaurant (review to follow) with a dear old friend and one of the loveliest souls around. Catching up was as easy and nostalgic as arriving back at your house and setting your bags down after a too-long vacation.

A second dinner at home and a very peculiar though nonetheless impeccably well manicured film later and the day had come to an end. Some days feel altogether improbably perfect.

Oh, and I found $20 on the street.

Numbers:

11:35 -> 113 Awesome fasting number. Had a bite of Larabar 10c and then went for a 4 mile jog (with some walking) in the cold.
1:00 -> Breakfast: cereal 110c, pb@j bagel 45c, 6 oz steak, apple 15c = 170 = 4 units (with a few extra carbs to account for the run). Then 3 hours at the Russian bath.
7:29 -> 66 A bit low, a sign that I probably did a good ratio earlier, and the hot saunas kept me high, but actually I was a bit low. I ate my whole dinner and only injected before the dessert to give my bg a chance to raise a bit before the insulin took affect. Dinner: 6 oz filet mignon, 8 0z squash and pear soup 25c, vitamins, broccoli, chicken in lettuce wrap 8c, tiramisu 30c, brownie 12c, ice cream 12c = 88c = 2 units.
11:10 -> 91 Second dinner: Baked beans 87c, toast 28c, 9 oz steak, brussels sprouts and kale 18c, grapefruit 26c, chocolate 6c = 165c = 4 units.
1:29 -> 134 Good number: Took 6 units of Lantus.

I also finished my second book of the year today. Sex at Dawn - a provocative and dangerous account of the sexual evolution of our species.

Day 42