1. For me, personally, the best time to exercise is in the morning. My bg will be lower throughout the day.
1a. Definitely after a meal. I once tried exercising before eating breakfast, on an empty stomach, and boy was that a mistake. I felt sluggish and lightheaded the whole time.
1b. I usually give myself an hour or two after breakfast before exercising. If it's two hours, then I will eat my mid-morning snack (protein bar) just before going to the gym. Also, if my exercise routine lasts for more than an hour, I will drink a Muscle Milk Light shake after the first hour of exercise.
2. Eating healthy for diabetes has improved my cholesterol and high blood pressure by default. My typical day is as follows.
Breakfast
Shake - 2 protein packets (pineapple-orange & strawberry creme flavors combined), 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt, 3 frozen strawberries, 1 cup of ice, 3 cups of water, cinnamon and vanilla extract for taste.
Mid-Morning Snack
Protein bar
Lunch
Low carb bread, English muffin, tortilla, or bagel.
Lean sandwich meat or 2 eggs.
Reduced fat Sargento cheese slice.
Lettuce, tomato, and onion cut for sandwich or wrap.
1 whole dill kosher pickle.
Mid-Afternoon Snack
Roasted and salted pumpkin seeds with the shell (1/4 cup).
Dinner
Fresh garden salad.
Lean meat (usually tuna).
Reduced fat Sargento shredded cheese (1/4 cup).
2 sugar-free Jello snacks.
When I go off diet or feel rather carnivorous, I will modify my lunch or dinner. My breakfast and snacks are almost always the same.
2a. Yes. For me, the happy median is eating what is tasty and not feeling deprived or starved.
2b. A dietitian is very helpful. I see a dietitian on a regular basis and she is invaluable in my journey for better health and weight loss.
3. When I was prescribed Lipitor many years ago, I did have muscle pains in my legs shortly after taking the drug.
3a. My doctor took me off Lipitor due to the adverse side effects.
4. I found this link to have some useful info on cinnamon.
The World's 7 Most Potent Disease-Fighting Spices
4a. When I first started my diet, I added cinnamon to my oatmeal and pancakes. Now that I limit my soy intake, I no longer eat the oatmeal and pancake protein packets I once did. As a result, my cinnamon intake has dropped. I now just add a couple of dashes of cinnamon to my morning shake for taste.
