[Denina]

Hello all....it's been a few weeks since I have been on here. I had to have another blood test to see if my surgar was high (last time) just on a whim, or if it's high in general. Last time it was 140. This time it was 170 with the A1C showing it's been high the last three months. This really scares me. I am not the type of person that exercise came easy too. Since my open-heart surgery three years ago, I have had absolutely no ambition to exercise because of depression. I don't think my "happy" pills are helping me anymore. All my shrink wants to do is up them and it's just not working. Therefore, I am depressed and don't want to do anything. It takes all my energy to come to work. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I don't even know where to begin. I know that I have to exercise and loose weight, but it's so hard for me to just get out there and do it. I don't know why. You think that having a heart attack and a six artery bypass at the age of 38 would scar me. But, no, obviously it hasn't. I am sorry to vent. I guess I need to talk to people that I don't know versus my family.

[notme]

Depression is a very real problem after bypass surgery. I am not sure it is completely understood, but it is quite real.

What was your exercise level before you heart attack? Did you suffer from depression prior to your surgery?

I know the hardest part of exercise is motivation. I think to start with, you should find an activity that you LIKE doing. Just exercising can be boring for some people. If you could bring yourself to go outside and shoot hoops or try playing tennis. You may chase balls more than you actually play, but it can be fun and the chasing balls and picking them up can be exercise. Walk your dog (if you have one) and meet your neighbors. Pick a time at night that is "walk" time and never waver. Pick a route and stick with it until you think you can extend it. Do you have a friend or a spouse that would want to walk with you? The extra nudging from them can be helpful. I have to nudge my husband all of the time.

I know you feel tired right now and some of that is due to your lack of exercise. It is all just a vicious cycle. I also think the lack of exercise is effecting your mood. Surround yourself with what makes you happy.

I sometimes lack the motivation that I need, so I find something that makes me happy and I go for it with gusto. I like gardening. I love walking my dogs and kayaking is a kick.

We are here for you. Check in often and..... Welcome to Diabetes Forums.

[Scrabblechick]

Hi Denina. I'm sorry your A1C results were not what you hoped.

Very often, heart patients suffer depression and other emotional issues. I don't know why that is the case, but it is.

There is a thread called "baby step exercisers" here on the forum. I think that would be a good place to start with you. Start very small. Just park farther away from the door and walk. Take the stairs if you can. Start out with one flight and increase it a flight every other week. Walk from your house to the end of your driveway five times, then increase it to 10. I have a feeing that, along with the depression, something as ambitious as starting an "official" exercise program is just overwhelming for you. So don't start a "program." Find one small thing to do per day that will get you moving for just a couple of minutes.

Here's an example. If I park on the other side of the parking lot, it is 1/10 of a mile to the front door of my office. If I walk that little extra distance 4 times a day (including lunch and back), that's 4/10ths per day. Doesn't sound like much, until you think 4/10ths of a mile five days a week is 2 miles a week! It really does add up.

Also, I would suggest you work on your diet to get your glucose levels under control. When they are, you will feel better and will have more energy. Your high BG is probably contributing to your depression. You know the drill: cut back on white bread, pasta, sweets, etc. Eat lots of green veggies and lean meat.

You can get through this and you can get better! Keep us updated on how you're doing. We do care!

[Denina]

Hello Nancy. I remember talking with you last time I was on the site. My exercise level before surgery was at a minimum. Years ago, I attended an exercise class and did loose weight. Then again, I was only 25 years old. I was more active, however pre-surgery. I did not have depression before my surgery either. I would get "down" but that's normal. What I am going through now is definitely not normal. I am sure being depresses and upset doesn't help the sugar levels. I would love to join weight watchers, but don't have the extra money. There are a lot of things I could do to get professional help, but money is always an issue.

[Denina]

Hi Scrabblechick....thanks for the information. I definitely need a meal plan. I know what to do, it's just doing it. My dad pretty much killed himself because he was diabetic and didn't take care of himself. He was only 53 when he died and he was missing both legs and finger because of gangrine.
With today's food prices, buy the less expensive food is what I have to do sometimes. Too many temptations out there as well. At work, they have a drawer full of candy. They bring in donuts and Panera bagels every Friday and so on. I have to just learn how to say no.

[Ronin]

Hi Denina!

Depression is real and, from your description of your current condition, it is logical that you would be depressed. Why do I put it that bluntly? Because you can stop feeling miserable about feeling depressed. That is the vicious cycle that can lead to really bad results.

Nancy (a.k.a., Notme) has the same advice about exercise that I give and promote to people -- do something that you enjoy that makes you move your body. Add to that advice to be realistic with yourself. Don't set unrealistic goals but set goals that are a bit challenging. When you pick the right form of activity (don't call it exercise because that word has all kinds of negative connotations) you will want to do it more-and-more. Eventually you will realize that it is exercise and you actually enjoy it.

Diet modification is another area where we have troubles. Most of us look at diet modification as a short term period of intense denial, something to be endured and then left behind. Sorry, that doesn't work. What I have discovered is portion control is what it is all about. The problem is that most of us eat like there is no tomorrow, even our favorite foods spend just a few short second in our mouths before the next helping is on the way. Try making those favorites last a long-long-long time. I've done that with some of my favorites and fine that often a single fork-full of my favorite foods can be sufficient to satisfy the craving and I don't need to eat a huge portion. That is to say, you can have your cake and eat it too, but not the whole cake, not even a whole slice -- just enough savored ever so slowly that it satisfies the craving.

Which brings me back to exercise. The more you use your muscles the more energy your body will need. At first you will use up your stored energy (a.k.a., fat) and eventually you will actually need more food.

Is it easy to overcome a lifetime of bad dietary habits and lack of exercise/ No, it is darn hard, and will be a struggle for a while. What I can tell you is that the struggle is worth the investment in making it happen.

I took a lesson from my father, who also died at 53 (I'm now 61), and worked hard to get my life in order. I can attest to the fact that, given the choice, taking control of your life is worth the effort.

You can do it, and all of us here on DF are here to help. We all have struggled.

[Evermont]

I noticed that your profile says that you like gardening. You also mentioned that the inexpensive foods are usually the less healthy foods. Gardening can be great exercise. Think about putting in a vegetable garden. You'll get some (shhhh) e-x-e-r-c-i-s-e while growing some delicious and healthy inexpensive foods.

I also noticed that your profile says that you like disco and pop music. So put some on and boogie-oogie-oogie 'till you just can't boogie no more!

These are ideas that you could have come up with yourself. Learn how to make yourself think this way and never look back.

Ditch the candy at work. Replace it with something that works for you rather than against you.

Good luck Denina and

[Denina]

Thank you all for you input. I made an appointment with my PCP for this Thursday. I am going to take my husband with me so that we can learn together. I will keep you all posted.

[princesslinda]

I know how hard it can be at work. I work in a doctors office, and we're always getting the Panera bagels, Smoothies and Krispy Kreme donuts. I find if i'm not hungry, its less of a temptation. Also, there is a certain area at work where they put all the goodies...I just don't go in that area until lunchtime...then I sit away from the temptation.

I can really say that eating lower carbs minimizes the sweet cravings....they don't disappear, but are manageable.

Also, you might consider bringing some of jello s/f pudding from home...when the donuts or bagels call, have the pudding. It will take care of the sweet craving and you'll be eating something while everyone else is. They have a new dark chocolate w/raspberry that is wonderful...you could even sprinkle some nuts and strawberries or blueberries on top if you like.

[Handybear]

Exercise is anything that gets your body moving. Also, make it something fun. Sometimes I just crank up the stereo and dance and sing my brains out(which doesn't take to long, LOL). You can exercise even when you are sitting. Move your arms, tap your feet, even fidgit. Any movement is good movement. Try and stay away from the television. It has been shown that you actually burn more calories while sleeping than when you watch television! For the depression, get some SUN. The vitamin D is what we diabetics are usually short of and the sunshine is what we need.

Good Luck