The new year brought with it our annual health screenings.  Last year, DH had high blood sugar levels, which we were concerned about.  So, over the course of the past year, we've been consciously and conscienciously modifying our diet to be more healthful.  You know the kind of stuff: cutting out a lot of the junk, cooking in more healthy ways, etc.  It was a good start.

But, with this year's health screening, my husband's blood sugar levels confirmed our concerns, and he was diagnosed with diabetes.  OK.  The good news is that the doctor feels that it can be controlled through diet and exercise at this stage.  Our diet is fairly well on track.  Maybe a few more modifications to make, but we're doing pretty well on that front.

The big issue was exercise.  I tried last year, rather half-heartedly, to get more exercise into my routine.  (Notice I said "I", not "we" because dear hubby wasn't really into my efforts at all.  But with the unprecedented monsoon season we had from November right on through into most of this month, and with the lack of accountability, I had almost given up my efforts. 

The kids were doing fine with exercise, given their almost daily jaunts to the playground downstairs, with lots of running, cycling, skipping rope, and monkey bars, etc.  And even with the heavy rains, they've been playing tag in the open-air ground floor of our building with their neighborhood friends.  So the children's exercise wasn't really a problem.

This diagnosis was the deciding factor for not only me, but for hubby as well.  Since his diagnosis, we've been going for daily 1/2 hour to hour long walks at a very brisk pace, which he sets.  It's obviously been great for both of us.  Already, he can see so much weight loss that his pants are practically falling off, and he's going to need additional holes cut into his belts.  (He's always been able to lose weight pretty easily--grrr.)  But even for me, I clocked in a 2kg (that's 4 pounds!) weight loss in just the first week! 

Wow!  I must admit, I am absolutely flabbergasted!  Weight loss has always been such a struggle for me.  I've always had to work so hard for every ounce I lose, (obviously not that hard, or I wouldn't be seeing the loss I did this week!) and it tends to creep back on oh so easily.  I still have a long way to go in my quest for fitness, but as the ancient Chinese proverb goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." 

My doctor gave me some good advice too.  She said, "Aim high.  Make it your goal to exercise 6 or 7 times a week, and you'll probably get in at least 3-5 times."  Wise words.  When I was shooting for 3-5 times a week, I was actually only getting 1 or 2 times.  So, a word to the wise: aim high!

Another added benefit to our walking is some time alone to talk, although I don't really talk very well at the pace dear hubby sets for me!  I get out of breath trying to do both.  It has really blessed our relationship, and we're feeling closer than ever!

I'm thankful for this wakeup call, that it came early enough for us to take note and do something about it!

By the way, in case you were wondering, I've continued to give Roboboy more freedom in his studies, allowing him to control his own schedule after our morning devotions and memory work, and he has continued to work with a cheerful attitude--not one sign of temper or bad attitudes since his meltdown.  And, he's completing roughly what I expect of him each day, too!  Who would have guessed?

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