TM affects everyone differently. I was diagnosed with diabetes, type II,
within a year of TM and it made me stop and realize that I had to take the
best care of myself as I could. I eat completely differently than I used to.
I had heart surgery last year, and my cholesterol was not high, nor did I
have high blood pressure. I smoked, plain and simple. My sugar is totally
under control, my total cholesterol is 119 and my hdl is higher than my ldl.
I do drink wine, my favorite vice, and that is about all I do that my docs
may frown upon. I was told that once you have a spinal cord injury, you must
take the best care of yourself that you can because you are more susceptible
to other diseases, that being said, it doesn't mean that we all can't live a
very long, productive life, we just have to work harder at it.
I go to a gym, and have a personal trainer. I cannot do what able bodied
people do, but I continue to try and find that if I don't go, I feel worse.
I fatigue much easier. I don't enjoy exercise, it is a necessary evil for
me. It not only helps with my muscles, it helps to control my stress and my
sugar. I say if you can move it, do it!
I also eat food that is nutritious and low on the glycemic index. I try and
eat nothing that is not healthy. I do eat chocolate and snacks, they are
controlled and good quality. I do realize that it is more expensive to eat
this way, I just eat less and find that I get as much as my body needs.
I don't get colds or sick often. I think I have only had 5 colds in the last
11+ years that I have had TM and that number may be high.
Lori
