Body Image and other Random Thoughts

[Melody]

Hi, all, I hadn't been back to this thread for awhile, nice to see all the "new" posts (new to me!).

Mel--You live in the same town as Jayne Williams?!? Cool! I emailed her last summer, I was so blown away by reading her book. She emailed me back, and we've written several times. If you wanted to, I'm sure she'd be happy to hear from you. She's currently training to do a marathon on 3/19.

Lise, yeah. I thought it was pretty darn cool. Just seeing the work that she has done to get where she is amazed me. She's one of my heroes.

Bent--how great that you're training to become a diabetic educator. I would listen to someone like you, who really knows from the inside out what she's talking about.

Bent, I think it's awesome you're becoming a diabetic educator. I'm also diabetic (I know I've mentioned it a few times. ). There are times, especially these days, that I wish I really listened earlier. Now, after the last nephrologist appointment, they're estimating that I'm down to about 50% renal functionality left. So, we're really cracking down on my sugar and bp levels since I personally don't want to have 0% function at 40. :/

You could always use me as an example of what _not_ to do

Mel

[bentforlife]

Are you T1 or T2? Are you on insulin? I was on oral medications until about 2 years ago when my pancreas decided to poop out. I went on Lantus(24 hour acting insulin) and Humalog but could never get good results. I was put on an insulin pump in November and what a difference. I had an A1C this last checkup of 6.1. That's the best I've ever had!! A pump might really help you if you're on insulin.

I have been very fortunate in not having any complications. Kidneys are good, vision, feet, skin. I feel very blessed.

Keep working on that bs level and bp level. Exercise will help a lot with both things. Keep a positive attitude too. You've got a lot of good years ahead of you.

Donna

[lawyergirl]

I just want to say thanks to all of you for your posts. I had an incredibly crappy day today food wise and was sitting here wallowing in my self pity and I stumbled upon this thread. It makes me realize that I am not alone! I am at about 148 right now at 5'5 and while I was at 170 about 4 years ago, I have bounced between 138-150 for the last 3 years of law school. Currently being at the upper end of that, I just feel plain crappy about my weight, and especially this week since the scale is not moving. But then I remember all the things I can do, like go to a hard spin class or ride 40 miles on some hard hills and I realize that it's not all about the number on the scale or the number on the tag inside my pants. It's about being healthy and fit and strong, with or without a few extra pounds. You are all an inspiration!

[maillotpois]

Hey Lawyergirl - I'm one too and struggle with stress (and boredom!) related weight issues. 2 years ago in one trial I put on about 20 pounds in 8 weeks! Blah! What sort of law do you practice?

[enzed]

Here's my thoughts. When I hit my teens, I started getting curves. Around my late teens, I went on the occasional diet regieme. I did this by being strict with my diet & powerwalking. Yes, I did lose weight, but I soon gained it back.
So now I'm 27years old, size 14(australian) bottoms & size 12 on top. I've got "child bearing hips" with a curvy butt & thighs. I'll never be a model, but who cares.
I ride my bike most days of the week. I ride 150-200Km a week. I get up at 7am on Sunday mornings to spend the morning on my bike. Last year I cycled my first supported week-long bike ride (560Km) & had a awesome time.
And just last week I was a full-time catering volunteer on the NSW Big Ride (supported bike ride). It's a nine day cycling holiday with a "tent city" at the end of each of day. Being a full-time volunteer means that my bike stayed at home all week. But, I managed to borrow a flat-bar road bike for a 65Km section of the ride.
Having just finished breakfast duty, I jumped on the bike & 3 hours later I was at the next campsite (at a 23km average). People whom I had been serving food all week were surprised to see me. I was passing other riders & hitting 30km on the flats. Maybe it was because my legs were fresh, or maybe it was the tail-wind, or maybe the lighter bike, but I've never felt so good on a bike. Oh, and other people were surprised to find out that yes, I can ride & I'm not that bad at it either.
Cycling is the one sport in which I have some abililty. And I have a greater appreciation for my body (somewhere in those curves, there's muscle).
I can put on lycra, over those curves, and not feel too self-consious. How cool is that!

[gromit68]

I feel like I'm not the only one now. This is a wonderful thread. I've had self esteem problems since I was 16 or 17 and had to switch to a different epilepsy medicine that caused me to gain weight. I have gone back and forth ever since. I'm currently trying to lose weight again but for health reasons since I have high cholesterol and teetering on high sugar. I have a twin sister(identical) who I have always thought was better looking because she is smaller. I know that is ridiculous but I guess it is just the s/e issue.

Thanks to all of you for sharing in this thread because it really gives me a boost that I'm not the only one with these thoughts and that I'm fine the way I am.

[lawyergirl]

Hey Lawyergirl - I'm one too and struggle with stress (and boredom!) related weight issues. 2 years ago in one trial I put on about 20 pounds in 8 weeks! Blah! What sort of law do you practice?

Hello, Sarah. I am not yet in practice yet - finishing my last year of law school right now. About 2 more months and I'm outta there!! How about you?

[maillotpois]

Hello, Sarah. I am not yet in practice yet - finishing my last year of law school right now. About 2 more months and I'm outta there!! How about you?

Well, good luck finishing up. I know when I was in my last year I was SO ready to be done with school! I have been practicing for 14 years. Yikes! Ready for my next career now...