ENJOYING NEW FREEDOM IN THE SPRING!

Spring is finally here! I feel a new spring in my step too, literally. My shoes were starting to get loose so I bought a new pair that fit me better and laced up my old shoes tighter.

To underscore my foot changes, I have very little foot pain and no leg cramps as compared to almost constant pain a few months ago. Last fall, I couldn't walk across the uneven lawn because it hurt my feet too much. A walk around the block was too far and was so discouraging. I attribute the turn around to improved new eating habits with lots more exercise.

So here's the latest update on my quest to conquer diabetes

• lost 2 1/4 inches waist measurement
• lost 2 3/4 inches hip measurement
• gained 2 1/2 lbs lean body muscle
• lost 4% body fat
• lost 12 pounds

Yesterday I attended the grand opening of the beautiful Herriman Rec Center with my family. Here are three of my darling grand daughters who ran with me.

I pushed my year old granddaughter around the crazy indoor track, catching up with several family members in the fun run. When we saw them ahead, I started running. I think they were kinda shocked to see I could run and pass them up.


The rec center offered a number of special classes too. Kristin, Leslie and I enjoyed participating in the Zumba dance class. I was overwhelmed to see that I could move along with my girls in such a fun activity. Of course I didn't last as long as they could, but it was really a lively exercise option. We learned how to shake it to the fast paced music!


Robert and I started cleaning up the garden and yard this week. It felt so good to be able to weld around the wheel barrow with ease. I walked up and down our little hill in the backyard, something I had a lot of foot pain doing last fall.



During the week we rode the bikes provided by Kristin and Steve around the neighborhood several miles. We even rode to the nearby bike shop and bought new bike helmets. I made me feel more secure. So fun to breeze all around!



There are nice little things to notice as I make gradual improvements in my lifestyle. The blood sugar numbers are more consistent with only a rare high. I'm hoping the doctor will adjust my medication again, as I have several lows each week now.

Another important change I've noticed is the guilt of not taking care of my health is leaving. I can concentrate on other things because I'm not discouraged about what my body is doing. I promise to keep trying even when I fall short of my goals some days. I pray the Lord will continue to bless me to reach my best self.

It's time for a great new start, IT'S SPRING!

VACATION-Here I Come!

Now for the big test, can I stay on track when I'm off my routine? Even when you have big plans to stay under control, it is still a challenge. We went to St. George for a week to get out of the cold and see the warm sun. We found it!

Before we left, Robert and I stopped off at the Diabetes Expo to get a little more motivation. We met some good friends, Claudia and Gary Danielson,

and stood in lines together to get all the goodies (new monitors) and a free A1C test.

It was exciting to both get lower welcome numbers. So we started our trip with great encouragement to keep trying.

Arriving in Dixie to the spring-like weather with beautiful blue skys and light breezes, was additional encouragement to be active. Thank you so much to our hosts, my brother Kevin and his wife LaRee. They loaned us their bikes to ride as well as use of their beautiful home. (I rode first time in years.)

It felt like I was nine years old again!

I'm hoping to feel comfortable on one soon as I signed up to ride in the 25 mile Diabetes Tour de Cure ride in June. (More about it in a future blog)

We walked all around the subdivision, went hiking in the red rock mountains of Zion and just enjoyed the sunshine. I just felt like moving.

I visited my 86 year old Aunt Erva Miller who lives in a senior village there. She is my new inspiration.

She says she walks 3 miles a day, generally on her treadmill, because her neighbors can't keep up with her in the neighborhood.

She doesn't want to hurt their feelings!

We even found a local health club to work out in.
They also had a morning class for seniors, "Silver Sneakers", that we attended. It was so fun, I'll have to find one here at home too.

When some of my grandkids came on the final day, I ran with them a short way to the playground. I haven't done that for a long time, it was exciting to see that I could do it again, even for a short way.

I put on some of last summer's clothes that were tight when I last worn them, now they are comfortable. Whoo!

Well as a final note, I feel and look more fit than I have in a long time. The vacation was just what I needed to keep going strong!