Yesterday I couldn’t upload a post because I had problems with the computer. I have a WP app on my iPhone, but there’s no way I can type that much on that phone. So it’s Saturday afternoon and I’m at the Spanish River Library in Boca Raton having a nice venti bold from Starbucks, with my beautiful girlfriend and doing a little bit of work. Why am I in the library on a Saturday afternoon when I am no longer at the university? Because football officially starts tonight, which means I won’t have time between now and January to do anything. Tonight my Virginia Tech Hokies start against the Alabama Crimson Tide. It also means that my diabetes becomes more difficult.
For those who have been following me for a while, you probably know that my Hokies and Philadephia Eagles screw up my blood sugars big time. This year I have a CGM and I promise to use it for every game so I can control how my sugar levels go up and down. On my last Endo visit, I was told that I also needed to check my blood pressure a little more often as it was 140/80 when I arrived and also when I left the visit. During Eagles games I can feel my heart beating fast on the big plays and late in the game as well. When they’re winning easily, it doesn’t really affect me. More on the Eagles in a separate post when their game gets closer. Right now, it’s about the Hokies.
I’m already getting a little nervous because our star running back is injured and won’t be playing. Not to mention we’re playing the #5 team in the country. Grant it, we’re No. 7 in the country, I hate having to play these top teams for the first game of the year every year. However, let’s get into the diabetes part. And the reasons why my sugar goes up. I’ve narrowed it down to 5 different reasons why they’re all over the place.
#1 – Passion and nerves
I am a passionate and die-hard sports fan. I’ve been a fan of the teams I’m a fan of almost all my life. I grew up an Eagles fan, I became a Hokies fan when I was about 7 or 8 years old, so I feel attached to these teams. I also haven’t had any luck with my sports teams winning championships, except for the Phillies last year, who I want to win every game. When they lose, I get angry and angry and I feel like I’m part of the real team. Obviously I don’t want to feel angry, but when it’s the 4th try or when there are 2 minutes left in the game and we’re down 6, my blood pressure goes through the roof. My goal this year is to take a deep breath, relax and tell myself that my life is not affected by this game.
#2 Food Options
During sports games, I can’t always watch them in my own home due to regional TV decisions. So sometimes I have to go to the local sports bar. While I’m there, I can also prepare a meal and eat as well. This leads to a long game appetizer of homemade buffalo fries from Bru’s Room in Delray Beach, FL. The second part of the meal is usually a Memphis pulled pork sandwich or some kind of unhealthy meal with mashed potatoes. You may have guessed why I named a specific food, because I am extremely superstitious and don’t like to walk away from something I ate when my teams won while eating that. I know, I know, I’m crazy!
#3- Beer
Beer and football, it makes sense. Do I really need to investigate why beer intake stacks up with my blood sugar? I don’t think it will, your educator can take care of that.
#4 Guessing, not testing
If I go to the sports bar, there’s a 5% chance I’ll take the meter. During that 5%, there is about a 1% chance that I will test my blood sugar. I am also guessing how many carbs are in the food. Usually what I do is just take a maximum bolus of 25 units and then eat to cover my insulin. If I “feel” like I’m running low, I’ll eat more fries or maybe even order dessert or something else. Not a big decision for a diabetic.
#5 Stress
This one comes during the game I started getting into during reason #1. Stress gets even worse after a loss. I will be stressed and depressed for a few hours or even the next day until I finally get over it and realize that next week we have another chance to win. The later in the season, the worse the stress becomes.
Now I know the reasons why sports affect my blood sugar levels, now is the time to do something about it and correct these 5 things. Well, I’m going to the sports bar tonight even though the game is nationally televised, but I’m going to eat healthy. No beer, no pulled pork. I’ll have an unsweetened iced tea, a cobb salad, and maybe a cup of French onion soup. Maybe, just maybe I can cheat and get some jalapenos because Amanda likes them too.