Improve

Healthy eating isn't always the most desirable and once you fall off the healthy food wagon it's really hard to get back on. For me, at first I was very strict with what I ate and made sure that I never went over the number of carbs that was recommended for me from my dietitian. But as I got more 'comfortable' with diabetes I began to fall off the wagon and allow myself more carbs.

At times I come back around telling myself to smarten up but I think that I have finally began to understand just how important it is for me to watch what I eat and how much of something I eat. I find this a lot easier to do at school actually, because I am not necessarily having to make anything healthy because I can find things in the cafeteria that are healthy such that as a spinach salad or vegetable cups.

Of course I will at times want something sweet or full of carbs and to me that will be okay as long as it doesn't become a habit. I don't want to pump myself full of insulin just because I want to indulge every single day. It's not healthy for me and it's not healthy for anyone. Just because I have diabetes doesn't necessarily mean that I can't easily indulge I just have to take a needle for a chocolate bar and sometimes it feels worth it.

So as I finally begin again back on my healthy journey I will let you know just how I am doing, and most of all let you know the improvements I have noticed. Thus far I have noticed how clear my skin as become, and this also could be because I have made it a routine to take my iron pills rather than just taking them when I occasionally remember.

Health is so important but so easy to neglect and I don't know why. Everyone can work together to improve each other.

Kayla

Chase Your Dreams

Is there something in your life you wish you had done? Something you regret?

There are so many things in my life that I wish I had done and there are plenty of things that I regret but when it comes down to it, I wouldn't change a thing. It's hard to imagine what life would be like if I hadn't done some of the things I did.

I know that there are so many opportunities I missed out on but I like to think that I have made up for lost time these past 10 months. Can you believe 10 months has past? I am so proud of myself for finally believing in myself because for the longest time I honestly had no self respect nor did I care where I ended up and here I am with dreams and goals that are even causing myself to go in shock.

I just want people to know how much chasing your dream is important. I know that it took a disease for me to figure this out but I'd love if I can at least convince one person out there to live life to it's fullest and to never doubt yourself.

I have no doubt in my mind, I know that I can do whatever I put my mind too.

Kayla

Curious

It's come to a point now that the majority of people I am around know that I am diabetic. It's a lot easier now because less people are staring and it has become rather normal to prick my finger or give myself a needle around them.

I never seem to mind when people stare at me, rather than getting upset or embarrassed by it, I just let them stare and learn from it. I notice in restaurants that there is always a person looking at me, as if I am doing drugs in the middle of dinner. I find that more people stare at the restaurants here in college than anywhere else and I figure that is because they are usually all young.

Hopefully there will always be curious people out there because that shows that people are interested and willing to make change or help out!

Kayla

Obstacles

Working out as a diabetic can be super tricky. Since the slightest things can drop blood sugar or raise blood sugar it can be hard to work around an fitness plan. For me, I get frustrated when I work out and then have to eat something in order to bring up a low.

I have realized that if I know that I will be working out than I can lower the amount of insulin that I take for a meal but if the work out is unplanned I can closely monitor my blood sugar and if my blood sugar is low I can have something healthy like an apple rather than thinking I have to eat something packed with calories.

There are so many things in life that would be so much easier if I didn't have diabetes but there is nothing at this point that I can do to cure my diabetes; therefore, I have to think of ways to handle the obstacles.

Kayla

100x

I am such a lucky person to be given so many different opportunities. The latest being Brant News being interested in interviewing me about my blogs. To me, this is an opportunity of a lifetime because this is my chance to let so many other diabetics know that they are not alone.

This disease has given me so much more than I will ever be able to express in a blog and no matter how much diabetes tries to take from me, I will always be pushing and fighting as hard as I can. If diabetes isn't cured in my lifetime I hope that my blogs will live until the end, giving diabetics hope and inspiration. But I do believe diabetes will be cured.

My heart has grown 100x bigger and so has my ambition. Unlike before I dream big and think about what is too come. I realized that for a really long time I didn't think I could achieve anything but here I am today with so many different accomplishments and stories to tell. I would have never thought!

Kayla

Curious

It's really interesting how interested children can be with diabetes. I think that it is really important to give children the chance to learn from you and that is what I always try to do whether I am working at the daycare or babysitting.

Today I babysat three young boys and it was an awesome experience. They were a lot of fun. When it came to supper I went through my daily routine and it was so interesting listening to them and watching their reactions. The youngest said, after I pricked myself, "Can I have a booboo too!" but of course I wasn't going to check his sugar! I think that their curiosity towards my diabetes is amazing and I can't wait to let them know more about it.

A lot of people don't know about diabetes and I try my hardest to teach the people around me no matter how old or how young. I will never ever stop educating people about the disease that effects so many people.

Kayla

A Note of Thanks

People are working so hard on finding a cure. It's up to use to raise the money to help these amazing people who take their time to ending not only diabetes but many other diseases. Many of us are aware about the study about the contacts that help diabetics determine their glucose levels and just the idea of an end to finger poking is a delight in itself but beyond the idea of no more pricking, there are people working so hard trying to make it easy for you, me and everyone else.

It was a little spontaneous that I decided to email a thank you to Jin Zhang whom is an assistant prof. at Western University, London, Ontario. Prof. Zhang created these contacts and I couldn't help but thank her and appreciate what she is doing.

I think that it is important to let people know your appreciation. We can admire from afar but I think that it makes a difference when you let the person know just how much you appreciate what they said or did.

I know that when I receive letters from people about my blogs it makes me feel a lot better about what I am doing and helps me stay motivated and positive.

A simple note of thanks can go a long way.

For more information on the contacts go to: http://communications.uwo.ca/com/media_newsroom/media_newsroom_stories/20091216445480/

Kayla