Friday, January 4, 2013

REFLECTIONS OF 2012

2012 was a year of highs and lows for me,

The highlight of the year was my daughter graduating from secondary school. Still, it was a slightly sad day to see your first born finishing school, when it seems like only yesterday she was starting pre-school. The school had a beautiful graduation chapel in the morning, follwed by the formal graduation at night. My daughter surprised us by receiving awards in home economics (dux) , visual art and citizenship. Her final year 12 results were so high that she has guaranteed admission into the uni course she has chosen, so we don't have to wait for uni offers to come out. What a relief that was. She has a very particular career goal, and that is to work for Japan Vogue! So she is studying a degree where she can major in Fashion and minor in journalism and Japanese. Who would have thought there was such a uni course? Going to all the open days at uni made me wish for a moment I could be a student again. The variety of courses available now are so interesting. Back in my day, the options were not quite as exciting. I think I would be a textile designer or handbag designer if I had my time over.

The low of the year, in fact my whole life, was my son being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It's a hugly devastating blow for a little kid to recieve, and painful for a parent to watch their child go through. If I could magically change fate, I would give anything for the victim to be me and not my son. But, that can't happen, so with faith and support from my family, we do the best we can to maintain his health. As a consequense, our whole family now eats a paleo diet. This means very little carbohydrate, no processed or artificial foods, so mainly basing the diet on protein, vegatables (not potatoes) a small amount of fruit, nuts and small amount of dairy products. It also involves a moderate amount of exercise daily, which helps to lower blood glucose. The health benefits are amazing; my son's blood glucose levels are so easy to manage when there is little consumption of carbs.  As for the rest of us, my weight has dropped significantly, by one dress size in 3 weeks and my blood pressure has lowered to a normal level.  My skin is completely clear, but if I eat any wheat products, the next day I have pimples.  My energy levels have increased because my blood sugar levels stay relatively even. I tried on a pair of my old shorts today, and they fell off me because they were way too big! I've had to buy a belt to hold all my pants up!

If you would like to know more about this diet/lifestyle, I get most of my information from:

     http://www.marksdailyapple.com/and  http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/

I'm not sure why all our healthcare team has told my son to keep eating lots of carbs, even the dietician said to keep eating McDonalds! Anyway, I will keep researching the best way to manage diabetes with diet and exercise.

So, here's praying our 2013 will be a bit better than last year.  I know I am so lucky to have as many blessings as I do, and I have to approach all challenges with positivity and faith.

Wishing all my readers a wonderful year, filled with love and happiness.
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4 comments:

  1. Congrats to your daughter.

    Good to hear that your son (and the whole family) is doing well managing his diabetes.

    Have a good 2013 Lisa! :)

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  2. Like mother, like daughter. Well done!

    The story about your son and the consequences of the new diet make me think of the Afrikaans saying "geluk by die ongeluk", i.e. even bad luck will be accompanied by a bit of good luck.

    So ... if you're so svelte and healthy now, are you going to come run the Nara Marathon in 2014 with Lina? :D

    All the best for 2013!

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  3. Hello Lisa! I enjoyed reading this post and congratulations to your daughter and kudos to her for having such a concrete dream! And yes! Universities are offering very interesting courses now, I like it because I really feel they are trying to cater and appreciated all the students.

    I'm very sorry to hear about your son's diagnose but am very happy to hear this new diet has changed you and your family's life in a good way. My mum has type 2 diabetes but it isn't sever so she only needs to watch her diet but it does linger in the back of my head and I stop my mom from eating things with lots of sugar, like chocolate. Hahaha she loves sweets =P

    I wish you and your loved ones a very joyful and safe 2013.

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