Get back on track with your New Year's resolutions

Justina with quote

I don’t know about you, but I think my New Year’s goals lasted two weeks! But, the idea behind what I was trying to accomplish definitely still has me motivated. Luckily, we have some inspiration from a fellow T1D. Justina is a yoga instructor with an awesome attitude and she has some great tips to help us all get back on track with our resolutions! 

Well, January 1st has come and gone and so has that excited pep in our step. By the beginning of February, those dreams of what we wanted for our new year have crashed and burned. Everyone knows the typical resolutions—exercise more, eat and drink healthier—but how do you pick yourself up after you so quickly fumble? 

Have no fear my friends – Justina is here. I’ve given you 7 simple steps to R.E.S.O.L.V.E those tired resolutions.  I’ll have you up and running in no time!text block with R.E.S.O.L.V.E tips 

R- Rewrite the resolution after it breaks. YES write it down and consider that crashed January version your rough draft. Life doesn’t always go as planned, so never be afraid to have a plan B. 

E- Embrace exactly who you are. Shift the focus away from things you can’t change. Sorry, darling, there’s no cure for type 1 diabetes. Accept it, take accountability for it, but cut yourselves some slack when you have an off day. I have found that in my mentoring of hundreds of people with diabetes and even those without, over the years, that we (PWDs) are way too hard on ourselves. Our worlds revolve around food so the slightest change can be more difficult for us. Never let something you can’t change be your excuse not to try. 

S- Shrink down those mega-sized resolutions into more appropriate, bite-sized portions. Maybe signing up for a marathon before you even run is a pretty big bite that you may choke on later. Shrink it down! Instead, maybe you commit to running 3 times a week, gradually increasing duration and distance as your body gets stronger. Don’t buy your shoes too big and hope to grow into them later. Start from exactly where you are now, not where you want to be in the future. It doesn’t necessarily mean your goals should be small and easy, just realistic. 

O- Open your mind to new thoughts and ideas—new and exciting ways to train both physically and mentally. I constantly teach my students to flip their perspJessica doing headstandective. See yourself and the world in a new way. Get the blood flowing to that big, beautiful noggin. In yoga, sometimes this means literally inverting your body. And, if you’re not quite ready to stand on your head start by laying on your back and slide your legs up the wall. Focus on breathing deeply, slowly and steadily. Sometimes, slowing down is what our bodies and minds need. Meditation and relaxation, aren’t about controlling those negative thoughts in our head. It’s about not letting those voices control you. 

L- Love is the biggest motivator.  Everything you do in life should come from love and be for love. Hate, anger, regret, pity, and sadness are all very heavy emotions. When you see someone in these states, what do they look like? Hunched over, unfocused from thinking of the past or worrying about the unknown future, right?! Resolutions borne from negative emotions or self-judgments are likewise, weighed down and unfocused. 

Those emotions are like bricks in your backpack. They will slow you down. Let every resolution you make be fueled by everyone you love and everyone who loves you right back. Too often, resolutions come directly from a negative thought. Some see a slightly bigger waistline and they think to themselves, “I’m overweight (horrible negative thought). I have to go to the gym (now associated with punishment).”  Negative thoughts will never make positive changes. 

Jessica with her daughter and dog

V- Visualize who and what you want to be this year. See yourself moving in that positive direction. Close your eyes and picture the goal in your hand.  Get specific, what does it feel like, who are you celebrating with? Make sure you’re the star of your own mind. Don’t let your visualized hopes and dreams come from someone else’s magazine…those are always Photoshopped anyway. 

E- Evolve from month to month, year to year. Once you crush that goal, set a new one. Never fear failure. Don’t always set the same goals. Mix it up and keep it fresh. 

Our brains thrive on repetition, running in auto mode. Our bodies crave positive routines. Tie your resolutions to a repeatable, scheduled plan that includes celebrating your commitment and even the smallest victories. Remember resolutions will never stick if they are set up to punish you for the previous year’s actions, or habits. Now go out and make 2018 your best year yet. 

-Justina

Editors Note: In addition to teaching yoga, Justina is a MiniMed Ambassador, marathon runner, and mother of two. She was initially misdiagnosed with gestational diabetes and now has type 1 diabetes. If you’d like to connect with her to learn more about her experiences.

 

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I have had Type 1 for 58 years. I am aure everyone is aware there is no cure, we live with that fact everyday. But i will tell you this, after all these years of being told there is a cure around the corner, telling us there is no cure accept it, is a slap in the face. How about getting up and railing against this attitude and find out why they haven’t found one. I am on the down side of the hill, and I am tired, but I would fight for sll those babies who are at the first step of this life long journey, struggle, challange. At this point in my life, i would give my cure to a child, so they do not have to do this for their entire life. FIGHT TYPE 1’s do not go quietly into the night.

I'm at the polar opposite from this point of view. I feel that in everyone's life, you have to face a challenge. So get on with it: I've had Type 1 diabetes for 35 years now and just turned 75 years old. Years ago I accepted that a sudden cure in my lifetime was unlikely and just decided that dealing with this issue was totally on me. It's a matter of personal discipline and management and when I screw up, I have nobody to blame but myself. But I don't screw up that much. My A1C's are always around 6 1/2 and I still play golf and fly fish almost daily. I'd rather take that approach. Maybe I've been lucky but I've always felt that managing diabetes is up to nobody but me.

Submitted by Brian Reilly (not verified) on

In reply to by Jeff Palmer (not verified)

I do know there is no cure for t1d I had it since I was 13 and an 57 now, I STILL HATE IT, but there is nothing I can do I had my license suspended for years at a time and living in Michigan is not a life without a drivers license I did want to DIE so many times. I am 57 so I had it for 44 years and do know I will never be cured but I am on the pump right now so I give myself a shot {injection of the pump every 3 days} and do have some kind of meter reader coming in the mail in the next week or 2 . My point is things are GETTING BETTER Brian Reilly.

I totally agree with all you have said Sara; I've been a T1D for 50 years and am now 64 years old. I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren so far and I would also give my cure to a grandchild or any child, so they do not have to do this for their entire life.
I truly believe that pharmaceutical companies are more interested in gouging diabetics for the life sustaining products they sell then interested in investing in a cure. I am grateful for the advances in treatment but we must PUSH FOR A CURE!

Submitted by Wm Marston (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Dear Sara Johanson - my T1D diagnosis was 1963, so I too am familiar with decades of managing this condition. I read the "no cure" remark in this set of comments by the yoga instructor to mean "there's no cure yet, so it's up to you to manage your T1D until there is". P.S. since you're here in the Medtronic 670G System "LOOP" blogsite, it is clear to any reader how positive & aggressive your approach has been, and is even now! BTW, this blog entry reminds us all to "give ourselves a little slack!" :–)

Submitted by Donna (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I seem to crave sweets after dinner, why???

Submitted by Karin Gray (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Thankful to Medtronic for all the devices that make my life easier. T1 since 1952, 66 years, thankful for every day Remembering the days with only test tape & Insulin.
I have wonderful support frim my Husband, family, & Washington Universary in St. Louis, Mo, Diabetes Team. Blessed. Tk You Medtronic

Hello. My name is tammy. I have been a juvenile diabetic now for 44 years. I have had an amazing life so far. Thanks to our Heavenly father.
When I was first diagnosed with diabetes I was 15 years old. I made the decision that I would control this disease or condition , it would not control me.
I have had doctors tell me that I should not do certain. Exercises my question eas always why? How do I know if I can't do it if I don't try it. But with a lot of work on my part I am doing good. No problems to speak of yet. That I am so thankful for.
It is the mind set. I walk 5 miles every day
I do yoga and aerobics too. Also ride my bike weather permitting. And of course i do my weights. With everything i do i do it in moderation. If i get super tired i slow it down. No one can do it for you.

Submitted by Ken (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I have lived with T1D for 56 years. My dream and goal was and is to have a true cure for this disease. But it is unlikely that this dream will ever come true for me. I often wonder if companies that make Insulin, Insulin pumps, syringes, infusion sets etc share the same dream and goal with me.

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Ken (not verified)

We certainly do, Ken. We agree that resources and research should be pursued for a cure for diabetes. At Medtronic, our mission is focused on improving and extending lives through the application of medical technology until a cure is found. In the interim, we want to improve the lives of people today, so they can live a longer, healthier life.

I am going on my 27th year of being T1D. I work hard every day like most people. I work hard at my job, taking care of my daughter
(sometimes she has to take care of me & my diabetes issues), I also work hard everyday at keeping my Blood sugars at a good level. I am proud to say my A1C is Fabulous for the most part! I started having issues w low BS. My pump started to malfunction so I had to get a new pump. Along with That, I was recommended to start using CGM to keep me from having blood sugars of 45- unregisterable. So I did. It was a learning curve for me a bit but my Med Rep was Great along with my Pump nurse. Unfortunately, I have a 1 person income & 2 people to care for. Since I have so much medical debt& owe too much because of my new pump & CGM, my medical act has been Froze and I cant receive any more pump or CGM supplies until I am caught up. I am a single mom that doesn't receive any form of financial help from anyone, including my daughters dad. It's scary when my 11year old has to take care of her mom because I am having a Low BS. I HATE having her see it even though it is part of my life. I am grateful to have her in my life. I just wish there was more help out there for the people who have this disease and DO WORK HARD every day & dont use this for an excuse! I feel as though the insurance companies just want us all to die! There won't be a cure, people make Too much money off of us! Prices to stay alive are Crazy expensive and I have to deal with it every day! It's sad! The CGM was Great for me & now I am back to testing 6-12 times a day because I cant afford it & I like to know I am at a good number. Its life, it's my life and I will deal with it because I am a strong person. I dont let diabetes rule my life. I make my life rule my diabetes!

Danielle, we never want cost to stand in the way of your access to diabetes therapies. We will try hard to work with you to obtain the products you need. Please contact our Financial Assistance Team at 800.646.4633 option #4 to learn about your options.

I have have been diabetic sense 1957 and I am sick of being sick.

Submitted by April Jones (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I have been a diabetic since 1959. There may not be a sure yet, but treatments has come a million miles since then.
I no longer test my urine and get an outdated reading. I don't have to inject myself five times a day. I don't have to worry about having a low sugar reaction and not realize it while sleeping or driving.
I am thankful for the glucose meter, the insulin pump and the continuous glucose monitor with a warning sound.
There may not be a cure but life is so much simplier.

Living as a type 1 diabetic for 47yrs. Is a challenge at times. I read & see on TV alot about type 2 diabetic? Really what about us?? It is disturbing to me that more research or other things are not being done for type 1 diabetics??

Find a cure for type 1 diabetes. This day & age it is more concerned about type 2 diabetes?? Really what about type 1 diabetes. Step it up. Been a type 1 diabetic for 47 years!

Agreed, all you here about on TV and non medical Magazines is TYPE 2. It is very irritating and I understand there are growing numbers of T2's, but I'm sure the number of T1 diabetics are NOT SHRINKING!


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