Are Taking Care of Your Health
It’s December 1st, and I just looked into my refrigerator and saw the multitude of Thanksgiving leftovers—and I. AM. OVER. IT.
My trash has already been taken to the street, overflowing with all the other over-it women in my neighborhood, I’m sure. So no, I didn’t clean out the mounds of mashed potatoes, dressing, turkey wings, and broccoli casserole. I’ll tackle those once the garbage man empties that mammoth bin.
Holiday Eating & Diabetes: A Real Talk Moment
I usually try to eat healthily… except for the holidays.
That’s when all my good intentions go straight out the window.
I scarf sweet potato pie.
I “sample” every cookie that comes out of the oven—quality control, right?
And none of this is ideal when you’re a Type 2 diabetic.
“One or two days won’t kill me… but what about next time?”
This time, it didn’t.
But what about the next?
Christmas: The Food, the Fun, the Tradition
Christmas Eve is our family feast. I scour the ads for the best price on prime rib, head-sized russet potatoes, and ingredients for my famous Black Forest cake. Christmas morning means a small Honey Baked Ham and potato salad.
Could these dishes fit into an ADA-friendly meal plan?
Sure.
Do I follow those guidelines exactly during Christmas?
Nope.
It’s two days a year I go hog wild, and I’m honest enough to admit it.
And Then… New Year’s
New Year’s is different. That’s when I slide right back into counting my macronutrients—carbs, proteins, added sugars, all of it. It’s a day of resolutions, reflection, and good intentions.
I make the same resolution every year:
Prioritize my health.
And honestly?
I think I do pretty well.
My Health Team (AKA: The “Keep Bethanne Alive” Crew)
I see:
Endocrinologist — twice a year for A1C
Rheumatologist — twice a year for joint health
Psychiatrist — to keep depression from sneaking in
Primary care physician — yearly checkup
It’s a lot.
But they work together to keep my health on track.
My Eight Daily Actions
I’ve created a list of eight simple actions I try to complete daily. (See my “Eight Daily Actions” post below.)
They aren’t earth-shattering. You probably do most of them already.
The goal isn’t perfection—just consistency.
And even then, I don’t always complete every task.
The Hardest Part?
Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
I like vegetables… but some days, it’s just hard. Frozen options help. Smoothies help. Soups help. But still—I get tired of broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and the occasional sad winter tomato.
Movement: My Favorite Daily Ritual
I don’t have an excuse not to get 30 minutes of movement in.
When it’s nice outside, I walk around my neighborhood.
When it’s not?
I hop on my recumbent bike, pop in my earbuds, and listen to Audible or motivational videos.
Afterward, I pull out my journal. My best thoughts—well, profound to me—usually show up when the endorphins do.
My Question for You…
What are you doing to prioritize your health?
Please don’t make:
a huge resolution to lose massive weight,
or to go to the gym every day,
or to quit a bad habit cold turkey.
“Grand resolutions often fail because they’re too big to carry.”
Start Small. Start Simple.
Start with… one more glass of water.
Just one.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Whoever said it was right.
Once you maintain that past the two-week resolution slump, add something else:
Five minutes of movement.
A walk around the living room.
A quick trip up and down the stairs.
Find an accountability partner.
My kids are ruthless.
“Did you drink water?” is a regular guilt-laden text.
Your Health Matters—to You and to Your Tribe
You are important.
You are vital.
You are loved.
Your health keeps you here—with us, with your people, with your beautiful life.
If you’d like to share your health journey, I’d love to hear it. We celebrate each other’s victories here.
Blessings,
Bethanne
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