9 years of Doing Diabetes

Me, Lily, & Les at my first TdC in 2007

Nine years ago, I made a change. My doctor, also a colleague of mine, showed me the results of my checkup. I had met the criteria for a diagnosis of Type II diabetes. It was not a big surprise. I'd been creeping up on those numbers for several years. First, came elevated blood pressure and an anti-hypertensive. Then elevetated cardiac risk factors creeped in. All the while, my fasting glucose numbers were creeping up. So that first high HbA1c was not a surprise, but it was a signal that it was time to do something.

I knew that my family history was one of the risk factors I couldn't do much about. But everything else I could address: overweight, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and high blood lipids (fats). And the most important tool - my magic weapon - was a bike.

I participated in my first TdC in June 2007 after losing 60lbs. Since that time, I've maintained a normal A1c for the last 8 years, and have done it without medication for the last 7!

Doing it for myself, and for others

But I'm still doing the things that made me healthy. Riding, counting carbs... "doing diabetes" so I don't "have diabetes." And as you can guess, it has made a big difference in my life. But what has made me even more proud is just how many others I know - friends, family, colleagues - who have let me know that my efforts to do this and to do it "out loud" in public, have been helpful to them as well. It is that, more than any other thing, that inspires me to ride in the Tour de Cure ride each in support of the ADA. 

And I'm doing it again this year! My campaign is underway, and you can track it here. And of course, I appreciate any support you might give in monetary form to my fundraising efforts. But...what I'd really love is for you to come ride with me!

• Want to ride in Ann Arbor in June at the TdC with me? If so, get in touch and we can form a team. We need five riders, but we need not all do the same distance or speed. We'll cheer for one another and do more good together than any one us might do alone
• Can't make it to Michigan? Join a Tour de Cure near you! There are events all over the country. Find one and let me know so I can cheer and lend you support 

   

Nine years ago, I made a change. My doctor, also a colleague of mine, showed me the results of my checkup. I had met the criteria for a diagnosis of Type II diabetes. It was not a big surprise. I'd been creeping up on those numbers for several years. First, came elevated blood pressure and an anti-hypertensive. Then elevetated cardiac risk factors creeped in. All the while, my fasting glucose numbers were creeping up. So that first high HbA1c was not a surprise, but it was a signal that it was time to do something.

I knew that my family history was one of the risk factors I couldn't do much about. But everything else I could address: overweight, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and high blood lipids (fats). And the most important tool - my magic weapon - was a bike.

I participated in my first TdC in June 2007 after losing 60lbs. Since that time, I've maintained a normal A1c for the last 8 years, and have done it without medication for the last 7! 

But I'm still doing the things that made me healthy. Riding, counting carbs... "doing diabetes" so I don't "have diabetes" .

- See more at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?px=6398072&pg=personal&fr_id=11064#sthash.59KVRUim.dpuf

Nine years ago, I made a change. My doctor, also a colleague of mine, showed me the results of my checkup. I had met the criteria for a diagnosis of Type II diabetes. It was not a big surprise. I'd been creeping up on those numbers for several years. First, came elevated blood pressure and an anti-hypertensive. Then elevetated cardiac risk factors creeped in. All the while, my fasting glucose numbers were creeping up. So that first high HbA1c was not a surprise, but it was a signal that it was time to do something.

I knew that my family history was one of the risk factors I couldn't do much about. But everything else I could address: overweight, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and high blood lipids (fats). And the most important tool - my magic weapon - was a bike.

I participated in my first TdC in June 2007 after losing 60lbs. Since that time, I've maintained a normal A1c for the last 8 years, and have done it without medication for the last 7! 

But I'm still doing the things that made me healthy. Riding, counting carbs... "doing diabetes" so I don't "have diabetes" .

- See more at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?px=6398072&pg=personal&fr_id=11064#sthash.59KVRUim.dpuf

Nine years ago, I made a change. My doctor, also a colleague of mine, showed me the results of my checkup. I had met the criteria for a diagnosis of Type II diabetes. It was not a big surprise. I'd been creeping up on those numbers for several years. First, came elevated blood pressure and an anti-hypertensive. Then elevetated cardiac risk factors creeped in. All the while, my fasting glucose numbers were creeping up. So that first high HbA1c was not a surprise, but it was a signal that it was time to do something.

I knew that my family history was one of the risk factors I couldn't do much about. But everything else I could address: overweight, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and high blood lipids (fats). And the most important tool - my magic weapon - was a bike.

I participated in my first TdC in June 2007 after losing 60lbs. Since that time, I've maintained a normal A1c for the last 8 years, and have done it without medication for the last 7! 

But I'm still doing the things that made me healthy. Riding, counting carbs... "doing diabetes" so I don't "have diabetes" .

- See more at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?px=6398072&pg=personal&fr_id=11064#sthash.59KVRUim.dpuf

Nine years ago, I made a change. My doctor, also a colleague of mine, showed me the results of my checkup. I had met the criteria for a diagnosis of Type II diabetes. It was not a big surprise. I'd been creeping up on those numbers for several years. First, came elevated blood pressure and an anti-hypertensive. Then elevetated cardiac risk factors creeped in. All the while, my fasting glucose numbers were creeping up. So that first high HbA1c was not a surprise, but it was a signal that it was time to do something.

I knew that my family history was one of the risk factors I couldn't do much about. But everything else I could address: overweight, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and high blood lipids (fats). And the most important tool - my magic weapon - was a bike.

I participated in my first TdC in June 2007 after losing 60lbs. Since that time, I've maintained a normal A1c for the last 8 years, and have done it without medication for the last 7! 

But I'm still doing the things that made me healthy. Riding, counting carbs... "doing diabetes" so I don't "have diabetes" .

- See more at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?px=6398072&pg=personal&fr_id=11064#sthash.59KVRUim.dpuf

Nine years ago, I made a change. My doctor, also a colleague of mine, showed me the results of my checkup. I had met the criteria for a diagnosis of Type II diabetes. It was not a big surprise. I'd been creeping up on those numbers for several years. First, came elevated blood pressure and an anti-hypertensive. Then elevetated cardiac risk factors creeped in. All the while, my fasting glucose numbers were creeping up. So that first high HbA1c was not a surprise, but it was a signal that it was time to do something.

I knew that my family history was one of the risk factors I couldn't do much about. But everything else I could address: overweight, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and high blood lipids (fats). And the most important tool - my magic weapon - was a bike.

I participated in my first TdC in June 2007 after losing 60lbs. Since that time, I've maintained a normal A1c for the last 8 years, and have done it without medication for the last 7! 

But I'm still doing the things that made me healthy. Riding, counting carbs... "doing diabetes" so I don't "have diabetes" .

- See more at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?px=6398072&pg=personal&fr_id=11064#sthash.59KVRUim.dpuf