I went to my GP last week after my father’s diabetes progressed to insulin-dependence–decided I ought to check on my blood sugar. I had been two years ago, and the doctor was exceedingly alarmed by what he called a thirty-pound weight loss “with no good explanation”. Eating low-carb apparently doesn’t count as a good explanation in his mind. (I also think his records are a little off on the actual amount lost; my calculations are between twenty and twenty-five pounds.) So he asks me, “Are you in a high-risk category for HIV?” Even though I told him I didn’t think so, he still ordered an HIV test. And liver and kidney function tests, and a bunch of other tests, even though I don’t have any symptoms of any kind of tumor. He now wants to do an abdominal and pelvic CT scan.
I think I am going to have to find another doctor.
The good news is that my glucose level is normal (87). I was kind of disappointed that he didn’t order any other metabolic tests–I was curious to see if my cholesterol counts had changed at all. Two years ago (pre-weight-loss), total cholesterol was 149, HDL 59, triglycerides 76, and LDL 75.
Although it was hard to tell from his monosyllabic grunts, my sense was that my doctor was alarmed at the successful weight loss, too… and looking for what was wrong with me. I just don’t think that diet and exercise is an AMA approved explanation. Come to think of it, it’s really quite remarkable how little support there is for successful fat loss and fitness. You would think that your doctor would be passing out party hats when a patient makes it happen.
CJ:
I’m panting like a dog vicariously through your workout again today. My leg was just tender enough walking around the grocery store to make me have the good sense to take a second day off and let this thing heal.
<p>MOWC & Bunsen, I’ve been looking at different running techniques online. Do you think POSE is a good technique to use? Also, once someone starts running with minimalist shoes, do you ever switch back to regular shoes, or is it better to just stick with one type of shoe?</p>
<p>I, personally, think it is pretty hard to change your running technique, no matter what the POSE folks say. You can increase your awareness of certain things you do, like over-striding, sticking your butt out, not using your glutes enough etc, but the bottom line is that the joy of running is NOT having to think about every step. I read up on pose and had some discussions about it a number of years ago when WildChild was struggling so much with injuries, but I concluded that it wasn’t that great. </p>
<p>I do go back and forth with my shoes. I HAVE gotten completely away from the BHSs (Big Honking Shoes) that I used to think I needed for cusioning and protection. My most structured shoe now is Brooks Ravenna or Nike Vomero, and I really can only stand the Vomeros for shorter runs. My long run shoe is Brooks Flow, which really isn’t minimalist but is very light with no posting. That will be my marathon shoe. My “go to” show is Brooks Launch which is low profile and light but still a trainer. For minimalist days I use the Brooks Connect, Vivo Trail Barefoot or NB Minimus, but I don’t like to do much mileage in those (except Connect can go up to 10 or so). Oh- and Newtons. They pretty much force you onto your forefoot (which I do anyway) and are really good for keeping good form. They also cost a fortune.</p>
<p>Bottom line- I think it is hard to change form. Corrections can be made, but it gets frustrating and then as soon as you get tired you are right back where you were.</p>
<p>I have been thinking about who the right doctor would be. I think the odds of finding a GP or internist who is knowledgeable about diet and exercise are pretty low; what I would really like is a diabetes specialist or internist who focuses on prevention, or on lifestyle changes as a viable alternative to medications.</p>
<p>Even though 87 is a perfectly fine glucose level, so far as it goes, after reading the book Sugar Nation I am aware that 87 might not really mean that all is well. In particular, the book talks about the possibility that wild swings in blood sugar could result in a reading that looks fine but is not–a very high blood suagr level after eating followed by what the book calls “reactive hypoglycemia” could end up hours later at a blood sugar level that is itself okay, but does not reflect the harms of the peaks and valleys.</p>
^ My doctor has built his entire practice around this philosophy. He has a nutritionist on his staff, along with a chiropractor, massage therapists, and a slew of other “alternative” practitioners.
The buzzword is “functional medicine” or “integrative medicine”, look around for doctors that practice this. There are some functional medicine websites that list doctors, if you google around you should be able to find them.
<p>I’m not a doctor and only have a little knowledge of type 2 diabetes, but as I understand it, it is a disease of insulin resistance. If your triglyercides are low (as yours are), you are not likely to be insulin resistant. I guess anything is possible, but I think it is highly, highly unlikely that someone limiting themselves to moderate carb intake (or lower) could progress to type 2 diabetes. It’s a disease of broken carbohydrate metabolism. It takes eating carbohydrates to break the metabolism, even if you are genetically predisposed.</p>
<p>Other than continuing to do what you are doing from a diet and exercise standpoint (which is obviously working), I wouldn’t be very concerned about developing type 2 diabetes or finding doc that is much more aggressive in theoretically preventing diabetes. You could easily end up with a doc that not only doesn’t appreciate your progress, but actively tries to get you to change to a completely different diet/exercise program. </p>
<p>I think this is an area where you pretty much have to take control yourself.</p>
Back in the saddle today. Calf is still not 100%, but it’s more just a little annoying now instead of being painful. It’s killing me that that it is SO nice here weather-wise and I’m out of commission for hilly walks or walk/jog intervals. Still, better to lay off and get the thing fully healed the first time. I have a sneaking suspicion this is the sort of thing that could be recurring.
So, down to the basement for my usual Wed strength core workout. I skipped the power section because box jumps up to the weight bench would be a really stupid thing to do with a calf strain. That is exactly the motion that hurt it in the first place. I also skipped the jumps and hops in the warm-up.
Otherwise, no problem. I thought rear-foot elevated split squats (2 x 30 lb DBs) might hurt it, but they were fine. I changed up the chin ups and did three sets of 3 - 2 - 1. Second superset was trap bar dead lifts and standing alternating overhead DB presses (2 x 30 lb).
Felt great to work up a little sweat. Leftover center cut boneless pork roast from the Weber with my homemade Bar-b-q sauce and fresh broccoli sauteed in butter and white wine. Yum!
<p>I have started to add more strength to daily running/cycling/swimming since I was diagnosed with weak hip flexors/abductors. Tried single leg squats today. Now I know why I have weak hips!</p>
<p>Wow, you have jumped into the deep end. At least for me, single leg squats are the hardest lower body exercise I’ve ever tried. It’s been a long-term project. </p>
<p>It requires a lot of hip stability, but is more of a quad exercise in terms of muscle use. The gold standard for hip exercises has to be the single leg straight leg deadl ift. It can be done with a kettlebell or a dumbbell:</p>
<p>It’s been a good exercise week for me–hot yoga on Monday, TRX and kettle bell workout on Tuesday along with working in the garden for three hours. Did a really hard spinning class today–despite fans, the room was really warm. I was a puddle of sweat when I finished. According to the HRM, I got my heart rate up to 98% of max. Don’t think I’ve ever seen it that high. Average heart rate was 86%.</p>
<p>Glad you’re injury is mending, Idad.
Amesie–I’d look for a new primary care physician.</p>
<p>Nothing yesterday except for 3-4 miles walking with a 20 pound pack. I went to bed early last night and got 8 hours (have been getting 5-6 this week) so I feel up for a run today and I have the schedule time for it. Looking forward to it.</p>
<p>I find that I need some clothes for walking around in warm (70-90 degrees) weather while carrying a bunch of things. I’m thinking about a scottevest.</p>
<p>BC, I had to google scottevest to see what it is. Lots of pockets, to be sure, but I don’t know that you need that extra layer of clothing. Why not just a backpack or messenger bag of some sort?</p>
<p>I carry a 20 pound backpack. I like to have three pockets on the front. Keys and change lower-left, wallet, lower right, phone upper left. It would be nice to have one more for parking stub and train pass. I wouldn’t mind an iPod pocket too - I’ve started listening to music on the subway. It drowns out the Occupy MBTA guys.</p>
<p>Speed Ladder with resistabands on ankles
two in two out
hopskotch with squat
icky shuffle</p>
<p>75 reps
50
25</p>
<p>All exercises with 10# plate
chest press
15 yard OH lunges
Russian twist
lunge
high pull lift with squat
lunge
sit up type exercise with straight legs
lunge</p>
<p>Beat my previous time by 3 minutes.</p>
<p>Also a “what not to say” moment courtesy of my male classmate:
Him: “are you okay?”
Me: “yes, thanks. Just catching my breath and waiting for the queasiness to pass”
Him: “What, are you pregnant?”
Me: Um, no… (Thinking to myself, what? do I look it?! :eek:)</p>
<p>I ran in my new shoes again, on the treadmill. My calves are sore again, but a whole lot better than the last few times. I think my legs are getting used to the forefoot thing. I ran 15 min, walked 4, ran 7. Once I can run on the treadmill without my calves getting sore, I’ll take the shoes for a spin outside. I tried really hard to follow your advice MOWC, and not think too much, but it’s like the idea is already in my head and won’t go away :).</p>