Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis Community

Since my SCI I think about my body, my weight and my wellness, a lot. Before that time I didn’t give my much thought to my body. Well, there was that one time in high school when I was about 15 years old and the conversations with girls my age began to center around how much we did or didn’t weight. Ah, that deadly comparison monster rears its head and I so wanted to fit in. So some of the girls bragged about throwing up to lose weight. I tried to, but couldn’t make myself throw up which effectively ended my thinking about how much I weighted, until everything changed in 1975.

For the last 36 years I have thought about my body weight and I take actions, not throwing up, to keep it within a certain range. For one reason, if I gain too much weight I won’t fit in my wheelchair and getting a new wheelchair isn’t like going out and buying a new pair jeans, way more expensive. I also monitor my weight because too much weight means too much pressure on my keister, spelling double trouble flat on my face. Then there’s my age, I’ll turn 58 this year and I’ve gone through menopause “the change” which has altered my body, interestingly.

My body doesn’t really weight more but my waist has gained a couple inches and I’m feeling a bit softer, more doughboy like. Finally I have friends that are my age and have SCI’s that are now being diagnosed with both heart disease and diabetes. From what I’m reading the changes I’m experiencing can lead to both diseases. I’ve never been one to sit and wait so I’ve done my due diligence and come up with some numbers, ideas and answers to help me make decisions about the next phase of my health.

I looked at diabetes and was shocked that so many people, 79 million American are pre-diabetic and that 25.8 million of us have been diagnosed with diabetes. What’s really eye opening for me is that diabetes is the leading cause of heart disease, kidney failure, nontraumatic amputations and blindness. It’s also the 7th leading cause of death in America and gaining rapidly on the number 1 killer, heart disease. Now wait a minute this may sound dire but I am the bearer of good tidings, really, keep reading.

You and I are not helpless here; there is much we can do to eliminate the threat of diabetes in our lives. First things first I must look at what I’m eating. What I eat is important because it’s all about what goes in, is broken down and then used to fuel the machine, my body, my vehicle. Most of my life I’ve had a strong sweet tooth, remember my post race treat of M&M’s, well It’s time for me to make better choices when it comes to satisfying my sweet tooth. By reading food labels and avoiding refined sugars, like high fructose corn syrup (HFCS),

I will omit a large amount of processed

foods from my diet. What I’ve discovered is processed foods are traditionally higher in fat and carbohydrate calories. Which can lead to weight gain or inches around my waist. FYI, high fructose corn syrup slows down the secretion of leptin, a hormone in our bodies that sends signals that we are full and should stop eating. Sneaky.

Another sneaky devil is the unassuming, no calorie, artificial sweeteners that are in so many sugar-free foods and beverages. Studies are showing that these little devils be triggering my appetite. They don’t do anything for refueling and may even inhibit the brain cells that signal feelings of fullness, so I will feel hungry and eat more. The reason I’m pointing this out is that weight gain and obesity is a contributor to becoming diabetic.

Now some foods to eat and I do like to eat, that will help me dodge diabetes. Eating greens, greens and greens, like kale, spinach and romaine can cut my risk for diabetes by 10 percent, sweet! These greens are also full of fiber making me feel full. Another addition to my diet is walnuts, which are brimming with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that can lower my risk of diabetes by 20 percent if I eat a serving, a quarter cup, four times a week. There is a spice I like, cinnamon that is proving valuable in lowering blood sugar levels. Yummm.

With all this in mind I’ve decided to step up my exercise routine in the gym and lose 2 inches around my waist. I’m going to add even more greens to my diet and when my sweet tooth comes a calling I’ll have something sweet without HFCS.

Blessings to All! In Joy, Candace

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