I used “Scared Slim” as a chapter title in the book. At that point in the story, I was simply perturbed as I saw myself rise above two hundred pounds for the first time. (No big deal, really, considering I’ve spent the better part of the last eighteen years in that territory.) Today it’s a different story. This time I’m actually worried. Nothing immediately life-threatening, of course, but a growing uneasiness nonetheless.
This is the point in the blog entry where I make some sort of joke or tell the lighthearted side of a story, but I’m not really in the mood. I just feel … well, not right. A big part of my worry is that I’m positive I’m marching head first into diabetes. My dad had it. One sister has it. The other sister is probably knocking on the door as we speak. I’m doing everything I can to break my pancreas. It’s just a matter of time.
When it comes to making decisions (or, worse, indecisions), here’s a technique I like to use. I picture myself making the clear wrong decision and then I play it out five or ten years or more. I make up the worst worst-case scenario I can think of then mentally put myself square in that situation. Depressed in this feigned situation, I then picture myself thinking, “Oh, if I could only invent a time machine, run it backwards five or ten years or more, and make the right decision instead. If I could only do that, everything would be different.” Then I think, “Hey, stupid. You just got your wish. You really are back in time. The decision is right now. Right here. Right in front of you. Don’t make the same mistake twice. 😉
So today I decided to go to the store and buy a blood glucose monitor. It’s great to have one of those when you really need it. It’s even better to have one before you need it. I didn’t go all out on it. I bought the cheapest one: a starter kit for probably $8.99. I came home and took my first reading, just minutes after walking in the door. It was 130. Not horrible (especially for a random test like that) but certainly higher than I would have liked and most importantly it was enough. Enough to flip The Switch.
The Switch, as you’ll find out if you keep reading my ramblings, is either on or off. If it’s on, you’ll stick to your diet no matter what. If it’s off, you’re screwed. I talk about it a lot more in my book, but even if you’ve never heard of The Switch, I’m sure most of you know exactly what I’m talking about.
My new diet plan is simple: low glycemic. It’s a bit like low carb. It’s a bit like South Beach. It’s a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. It is, in many ways, the way I truly believe humans were designed to eat: a lot of real foods and none of them are bleach white.
So there you have it. My latest and greatest plan. I will definitely keep you posted.
And, just for the record, here is the year-to-date graph for 2007. Pretty sad…
