One great thing. (D-blog week day two)

This week is Diabetes Blog Week (or D-blog week), and each day, I’ll be following a prompt from the lovely Karen over at Bitter-sweet Diabetes. Today’s prompt encouraged us to name one great thing we do in relation to our diabetes. For me, the answer is easy — it’s cycling.

Cycling is the greatest thing I’ve done for my diabetes because it made me pay attention to my body and how it works on so many levels. I’m not necessarily thinner, but I’m leaner and stronger than I have ever been. It also made me pay attention to what goes into my body. For years, I’ve struggled with food. Once I got into cycling, I began to look at food differently. It became fuel and it became a necessity.

As I slowly began to realize my thoughts on food were changing, it was easier to eat better. I’ve since changed my diet to follow a Paleo-ish plan. I eat lots of meat and vegetables. I treat lows mostly with fruit, and I’ve cut gluten almost entirely from my diet. I still have days where I struggle with food, but I never struggle on ride days. On those days, I eat to ride.

Since making these changes through diet and cycling, my blood sugars have dropped dramatically. I don’t have major spikes or massive lows. I feel better overall — healthier. The changes happened for several different reasons, but none of it would’ve happened had I not started cycling.

When I decided to sign up for the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes in Death Valley, Calif., this year, I thought I was crazy. As October draws closer, I feel less crazy. I feel empowered and in control. I can do this, and it feels good to realize that. So when you ask me what the one great thing about diabetes is, it’s cycling. One form of exercise changed my life completely.

And if you read yesterday’s post, you know I’m horrible at making decisions, so I’m adding a second “one great thing” to today’s post. The absolute best, most amazing, wonderful thing about having diabetes is YOU! You, my readers. You, my friends. You, my family. You, my fellow people with the dia-beet-us. I couldn’t do this without you, and I certainly wouldn’t want to either. (Actually, I did do without you for many years and it sucked. But now you’re here, and it sucks way less)!

The kids with diabetes are my inspiration, and the elders with diabetes (elders as in the number of years they’ve had it and not a direct correlation to age) are my mentors. Thank you for being there, and thank you for being open and honest. I love you like a diabetic loves unicorns. (And yes, our inside jokes are one of my very favorite things). #itmakessenseifyouhavediabetes