Climb Day 44: Still Sugar Free

I may dream of chocolate but I am still sugar free!  Yesterday was ok without sugar, today is not as easy but is half over and I am still sugar free! My mind is made up and I am fighting one battle at a time and this week is the battle for control over sugar in my life.  No More Sugar! No More Sugar... at least until I have it under control! 

This picture is of the groom's cake at the wedding of my son and daughter-in-law  Derek and Janice Mireles who were married in... well I can't remember but I think it was 2006. Help me out here kids!

Climb Day 43: Starting Over

I have been thinking a lot about this climb and have reached some conclusions. My approach has been wrong. Obviously, I will never be able to do this on my own. If I could do it by myself I would have made changes years ago. I went to the Bible for my source and I found the answer.
Luke 9: 23
²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. NKJV

I have been self indulgent for a long time but today I begin a new way of living. I know I cannot make big changes so this week there will be no more sugar for me. No treats, no cookies, gluten free or not, no candy, nada. I know it will take a few days to get the craving out of my system, but I start today.  One day at a time.

It feels good to make this decision and God is with me.

Climb Day 41: Me

Sometimes you wonder why you cannot get your act together. It is normal to be a little depressed at times and I know that. I do not have the answers to my dilemma.  God is my refuge and my portion.

Climb Day 35

 

You are looking at my nemesis. I cannot do without bread and it is not easy getting my hands on a slice of gluten free bread. I am still trying to climb out of this hole I dug for myself but it is not easy. I fell on my face today in a big way. Yes...there I admit it. 

Climb Day31: Water

I 

I know there are a lot of you who love your water! I am not one of you! My husband drinks what seems like gallons every day. I wish I was able to drink water like that. Unfortunately, I hate the stuff. But...since this is the week my diabetes has decided to grab my attention I am adding water to my agenda. I am trying to drink about 60 ounces a day. I know that is a bit less than I should be drinking, but, hey...you have to start somewhere! 

One important thing about writing about my climb is that it makes me accountable in ways I never thought I could be accountable. The public nature of my climb appears to be a real motivator and offers me a need for follow through that I have not enjoyed (or suffered through) in the past. lol So I beg you...my loyal followers to hold my feet to the fire. I am totally unable to maintain discipline without it!

Climb Day 29 Diabetes

This blue circle is the symbol for diabetes. It means unity because we need a unified effort to get this disease under control. Not an easy thing to do. My fasting blood sugar this morning wad 158... I know that some of you think that was not too bad...considering... but it is not good for me. I have been feeling bad and now I know why. I have not been measuring my levels and this is the result. I am positive that after eating my levels are in the high two hundreds to over three hundred. Change must happen today. I am working very hard on it but feel really terrible. Keep me in your prayers because I am quite, quite determined to change this situation.

Climb Day 27 Sandra's Crawl

Here I am friends, crawling but still in the game. It is hard to maintain discipline and sometimes completely overwhelming to organize all the dietary requirements in one meal. Low carb, gluten free, low calorie, low cholesterol, low salt!  I am stressed! Keep me in your prayers. I need it!

Climb Day 25 Resources for Diabetes Sufferers

It is hard to imagine that this first month of my climb is coming to an end. So far I have documented a four pound weight loss and am afraid to venture near the scales again! It is an uphill battle. Today I am thinking about my diabetes so I did a bit of research for an article I published on HubPages. I hope you find it helpful.

Resources for Diabetes Sufferers

Climb Day 23 Problem With the Bread

The gluten free bread is totally awesome, but I forgot that I found it in the store in the freezer. It began to mold within a couple of days. I had to throw away three slices this morning. Not pleased! I am recovering from Easter. Did not over eat, but there is always something that should have been avoided. Am getting slowly back on track.

Climb Day 21 Family at Easter

Chocolate cream pie has been a favorite with me since my mother made them on Christmas Eve when I was a child. Glenda made a wonderful homemade pie today from scratch and it was totally awesome! I had a small slice. I admit it. I forgot that there is flour in the filling, and of course the crust is made of wheat. I had difficulty breathing for a while but I am better now. My intolerance to gluten must be getting worse. I was able to leave the rest of the treats alone, though. There was a beautiful coconut cake and cherry cheese pie as well as lemon cream pie! So, I did very well but I need more discipline. It is a miracle that I didn't eat more.  I am getting up tomorrow and starting over!

Climb Day 20 Prayer

 This is me in a moment of reflection. Prayer is a part of my life. I pray every day and talk to God regularly throughout the day. It was during one of these intimate conversations with my God that I became aware of the need and consequences of self indulgence in the area of food. God wants me to have self control in all areas of my life. It is easy to believe that a little over indulgence is only human and not an issue. While this is true, over indulgence can become a mountain that is unconquerable if one allows that to happen. Real change happens when you raise your personal awareness of just how bad your personal self indulgence is viewed by God, others, and in the end yourself. When real understanding comes. Change follows if you truly want to do what is right. Understanding comes slowly but if you make your mind up to change you will find bits and pieces along the way.  Blessings to all at this Glorious celebration of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Lord! I pray for all of you and myself to receive enlightenment and understanding! Praise the Lord!

Climb Day 18 Gluten Free Foods

Today I thought I would share with you the bread I found that is Gluten Free. This is a dark brown bread that resembles dark pumpernickel bread. I must share with you that I have tried several GF breads and they are crumbly, dry and have no taste whatsoever.  This one was different. I toasted the two slices and used them to make the first hamburger I have enjoyed that I did not need to worry about suffering from severe respiratory and other issues that I do not want to talk about. I was impressed with this bread. My climb just got better!  The bread has 70 calories per slice so that is much better than any of the previous breads I tried.  Oh, yes...I thought you might like to see the price tag on this bundle of joy! $5.99 and the loaf is about half the size of a small loaf of wheat bread! I put the Amazon adds here so you could see the real cost of ordering these products. GF living is not cheap!