Thursday, March 15, 2007

Weight-Loss Websites!

The OC New Me website is basically here just to provide support and also report on how everyone is doing. But there are a TON of websites on the 'net that are dedicated to weight loss and showing you how to do it well. There are also some websites especially for people with diabetes who want to lose weight and stay fit. Here's a run-down:

dLife's Diabetes Diet: There customized meal and fitness plans; diabetes-friendly recipes; and tracking not only exercise and weight, but also your blood sugar. Helps with goals in meal planning, blood sugar management, and weight loss. There are free receipes on the website. Edit: The program is not free, it's $19.95/month. However, you have to be a member of dLife first, and that sign-up is free. I got confused.

Fitness4diabetics: A coaching team comprised of diabetes educators, exercise physiologists, nurses and nutritionists. Customized coaching for your particular goals, includes four months of online consultations. They also provide online seminars for participants. Membership is $300-$425 plus a $125 set-up fee depending on the type of plan you choose. Read an interview on Six Until Me with the founder.

OneTouch Gold: Lifescan's diabetes lifestyle website. Includes personalized fitness and meal plans; articles, tips and columns; recipes and coupons; tips on beating burnout and depression; and other health guides. Membership is free.

If you find any other websites for people with diabetes, just let me know! Hope you find these resources helpful in meeting your Challenge goal.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

March Monthly Drawing and April Goals

Congratulations!

Anne has won a copy of Diabetes Burnout by Dr. William Polonsky

Kathleen has won a copy of Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes by Amy Tenderich

April Goals

We are doing a repeat of last month.

Weight Loss Group: 10% of your total weight loss goal (i.e. if you want to lose 10 lbs, lose 1 lbs. If you want to lose 20 lbs., lose 2 lbs.)

A1C Group: 14-day average of 170 mg/dl or below with no more than 7 blood sugars over 300 mg/dl

Edit: Forgot to mention the prizes!

Weight Loss Group: When You’re a Parent with Diabetes by Kassie Gregario
A1C Group: autographed copy of Cheating Destiny by Jim Hirsch

Mid-month Check-in: Sunday, March 18
April Check-in: Saturday, March 31-Sunday, April 1

I have extended the April check-in to be the entire weekend. Cut off is 11:59p.m. PST on April 1.

You MUST send me your check-in whether or not you qualify for a drawing. I CANNOT stress this enough. I cannot verify your progress if I don't know where you are starting and ending at.

Monday, March 5, 2007

Help Me Help You...

I have only received 11 monthly check-ins this weekend. Out of that, 5 people qualify for the Weight Loss Group drawing and 3 people qualify for the A1c Group drawing.

Now, we had this problem last month where I received check-ins everywhere from the Thursday before to the Wednesday after. So obviously I have my expectations set way too high for people's ability to all send me their data on the same day. I'd like some input before Wednesday. Do you want to have your own special day to send in your logs? Is a Thursday afternoon just way easier for you than a Sunday? First thing Monday morning? The entire weekend as an option? I'm just trying to figure out how I can coordinate this because right now I feel like I'm disqualifying a lot of people because no one sent in their logs. Ya'll did a great job with the mid-month check-in so I'm just wondering why so many people are a no show this time around.

March Results:

Congrats to...
Scott for an average of 150 mg/dl
Kathleen for an average of 154 mg/dl
Manny for an average of 153 md/dl

Congrats to...
Scott for losing 6 pounds
Sarah and Anne for both losing 4.5 pounds
Sara for losing 4 pounds
Lori for losing 3.8 pounds

Keep up the great work everyone!

Drawing winner will be announced this Wednesday along with the April goals

If you have not sent me your check-in, do that ASAP!! I need it for your records. Thanks!

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Thursday Tip of Week...

Gary Scheiner, CDE, is back with this tip:

For better blood sugar control, short workouts (30 minutes, for example) on a daily basis are better than long workouts a few days a week.


Remember, check-in is on Sunday!