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Progressing

Back in June I posted a little update about the improvement in my health situation. Since I'm now on a basically carb-free diet, walking around 3-4 miles a day, and taking twice the diabetes meds I took previously, I thought I'd write about how that's going so far in more detail. I should say upfront that I love many carbs, especially bread, and I do miss them at odd moments because they're always delicious, even if they're not good for me.

Positives: I have my blood sugar back under control, which was the most important goal. I've also lost 11 lbs. over the last couple of months, which helped me shed all the weight I gained during winter plus a few extra pounds. I think I've grown a bit stronger as well, and I'm not having as many arthritis flare-ups. Because my blood sugar numbers have dropped so much I can eat a little fruit now and then, which I love.

The main goal for me with the increased exercise, modified diet and extra meds is to stay off the needle, of course. My diabetes doctor suggested back in March that I try Ozempic, which I will always be totally against. I have mild thyroid issues, and this medication is known to cause thyroid cancer, so that worries me. There's also a diabetic gentleman who went blind while being treated with Ozempic, and is now suing the manufacturer, which I won't risk. The fact that so many celebrities are using this drug just to lose weight also makes it a no-thank-you option for me, like basically everything else celebrities do.

In the end, is it worth all the trouble and effort? For me, absolutely. If I lose enough weight and increase my fitness, I may even reverse my diabetes to the point where I can reduce my meds. That's the new goal.

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