Begin Again

Eight and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I was healthy y’all...or so I thought. I was slightly overweight, but I was a couch potato on days I wasn’t working full time as a registered nurse. Those 14-16 hour days left me exhausted on my days off. I didn’t take the diagnosis lying down. I decided to start making better choices, and began by walking 5k (3.12 miles) a day. I cut back on my carbohydrate intake, and stopped drinking presweetened anything. Within the next six years, I had run 22 half marathons, countless 5k’s, and multiple 10, 15, and 8k’s. I also lost 30 pounds, and brought my resting heart rate down from 100 to 60 beats per minute. Two years ago, it came crashing to a halt. I was diagnosed with LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood). In a nutshell, I was now an insulin dependent, type 1 diabetic. Did you know that more than 50% of those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are adult at diagnosis? Neither did I. About the same time as that diagnosis, I was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma, which has progressed to adult onset asthma. Yippee. This year, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Enough already! I’m starting this blog to record my journey. As with any journey of this sort, I have talked to all my “ologosts” and my primary doctor. This is not medical advice. This is my story. Do not attempt to change your diet or activity without talking to your MD. Today, I walked 6 miles. I plan to start my running training in earnest tomorrow. I’ve signed up for 15 races so far this year. It’s time to get cracking. I’m not going to lie - all of these diagnosis hit me hard, and had me crying. I won’t stay there. I’m not using any of this for an excuse to be on disability. Instead, I’m going to get stronger, and healthier than before. I’ve done it before - gone from couch potato to race runner. I am also utilizing Herbalife shakes, aloe, and teas. I use them as meal replacements, and also to enhance my diet. This is my journey. Let’s go! LaraLynn