Phil Southerland

It’s been a quick changeover to fall here in the Northeast, rain, rain, rain, and I feel myself both speeding up and slowing down. Bizarre.

Over the last week I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to interview three diabetes leaders whose stories will show up in the next two months in my Huffington Post series on diabetes change agents: Phil Southerland, founder of Team Type 1 and author of his early memoir, Not Dead Yet, his indomitable mother Joanna Southerland, who made sure none of the dire predictions for Phil, diagnosed with type 1 at seven months would come true,  and Brandy Barnes, founder of the incredibly supportive space for women around the block and around the globe, DiabetesSisters.

This Friday I take off for the Left Coast where I’ll be doing an A1c Champion program in Portland, Oregon on the 14th and visiting with two other great diabetes advocates, Healther Clute and Jeff Horacek who co-host the program, ‘Transforming Diabetes.” In fact the plan is rather than my making a third appearance on their show, I’m turning the tables and interviewing them. Something to listen for on the show’s podcasts.

So between now and then the husband leaves once again for Holland where he does most of his work, that means cleaning the house after letting things pile up for two months, and I meet with my YMCA coach who’s leading me through a 12 week class of cardio and weight lifting. Oy! 

Maybe packing my suitcase tomorrow will count as weight lifting! Don’t you think?

Internist Jeff Horacek

I’ve had a hellish cold and cough these past few weeks and so little energy to post. So I thought this is a good opportunity to make you aware of something sitting quietly on my ‘Press page.’

I was invited back to the radio show,Transforming Diabetes to talk about some simple tools to help you flourish with diabetes. In other words, help you improve your management and create a life with diabetes that’s healthy, happy, productive and meaningful. 

Hosts M.D. Jeff Horacek and wellness counselor, Heather Clute, honored me as their first repeat guest – probably because we got so gabby on the first show there was still much to talk about. That included steps to living from a more flourishing place.

Dr. Horacek is an animal of a different stripe. He’s one of the most open, caring, active listening physicians I’ve had the pleasure to talk with. His deep concern for learning from, and helping, patients puts him in a class of his own.

Heather, who has had type 1 diabetes almost 15 years, and has an old soul to boot with a specialty in mindfulness, authentically understands the every day ups and downs of living with diabetes.

Check out the blog post and listen to the podcast. It’s a great way to rev up your energy and shift your outlook for the better in just 30 minutes. Then tool around the site and have a listen to any number of podcasts that may interest you. I’m in some very good company.

I just wrote on the Huffington Postabout the public service announcement NYC’s Health Department is running. It ends tomorrow. 

If you live in the city you’ve probably seen it on TV or in a subway poster. The city is trying to get New Yorkers to give up their sugary sodas and other sugar-laced drinks in an attempt to cut down on obesity and diabetes. 

You’ll see in my article, while I don’t fault their intent, I take issue with their tactics – fear. And fear unfortunately does not motivate behavior change.

As if eliminating sweetened drinks isn’t enough, a week ago we learned we’re not even safe drinking diet soda. Diet soda has now been linked to greater risk of stroke and other heart problems. 

People who drank diet soda daily were 48% more likely to have a vascular event during the nine years in which they were followed. Well maybe we have a short reprieve as the study lead, Hannah Gardener, said the findings are “too preliminary to suggest any dietary advice.”

Then, two days ago on the morning news I heard the caramel coloring in sodas (and other products) may cause cancer. Get the picture? We’re all drinking at our own risk, unless you’re guzzling water. 

Of course my credo is to stick to foods mostly recognizable in nature and, as Michael Pollan says, ones where you can pronounce the ingredients. 

Leave your vote on HuffPost as to what you think.

Gary Scheiner, CDE, exercise physiologist, author of 4 books and a type 1 himself for over 20 years, has accomplished one of his dreams – which may also be a dream for you: an online course to achieve optimal control of your diabetes if you use insulin. This is an education you won’t find anywhere else.

Gary asked me to share this with you and I do so with pleasure:

I am proud to announce the opening of Type-1 University: the online school of higher learning for people who use insulin.

Type-1 University (T1U) features a series of courses for those using intensive insulin therapy (pumps or multiple daily injections).  Each 40-60 minute course is available live (via webex).  Pre-recorded versions will be available soon after each live program.  The courses include a powerpoint-style presentation with accompanying audio and video of the presenter, along with an opportunity to post questions. 

Current course topics include:

·                     Mastering Pump Therapy

·                     Advanced Carb Counting

·                     Blood Glucose Control During Sports & Exercise

·                     Weight Loss for Insulin Users

·                     Getting the Most from Your Continous Glucose Monitor

·                     Strike The Spike:  After-Meal Glucose Control

·                     Hypoglycemia Prevention and Management

·                     Fine-Tuning Basal Insulin

Please visit www.type1university.com for more information or to enroll for an upcoming class.  

Thanks, and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

– Gary Scheiner MS, CDE

“Dean” of Type-1 University

Owner & Clinical Director

Integrated Diabetes Services

333 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 204

Wynnewood, PA  19096

Toll-free:  (877) 735-3648

Please tell anyone else you know whom you think might benefit. It’s a great way to begin the new year.

I’m piggybacking today off of Amy Tenderich’s blog post over at DiabetesMine, Inside TCOYD’s Extreme Diabetes Makeover ‘Reality Series.’ The reason being I found watching this trailer of Taking Control of Your Diabetes’ extreme makeover program, extremely moving. 

It highlights some of what 7 patients discover getting control over their diabetes. On Amy’s blog you’ll find more about what the patients had to say and some advice for your own makeover from professionals like psychologist, Dr. William Polonsky.

While I have sculpted my routine to support my diabetes management, watching people at the beginning of their journey – maybe not at the beginning of their diagnosis, but the beginning of getting on track –  finding the strength within to do what’s necessary with the support of a professional diabetes team, and their patient-teammates, it touched my heart to see their success. I trust it will touch yours too and inspire you if you need to get on track. 

The full series of makeover episodes is on the TCOYD Extreme diabetes Makeover site. Take time while you’re there to also see if a TCOYD health day is coming to your local area next year.

(Double clicking on the video will let you see it larger on YouTube.)