My goals

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1

You know, as supportive as everyone is - I feel as if I am really trying to obtain my goals on my own. I remember when I was younger and my mom forced me to eat well and exercise. I hated it and never got into it. Now, I wish I was around my mom more so that we could do all of this together. I know she would not only support me, but would force me to do what was necessary to achieve my goals. My husband? He is working an average of 70 + hours a week and is simply not interested in what I am doing. I don’t blame him, he pretends like he is listening, but is shocked when I purchase something or do something that I told him about…because he just doesn’t listen. What, you may be asking, are my goals? Well, they are lofty. My long-term goals are to lose 100 pounds, get my a1c into normal range, graduate with my Master’s, get into my Doctoral program, and last-but not least- participate in a triathlon sprint next year. Nothing too big! (pleasesense the sarcasm there). Let me tell you the obstacles I have had to and still have to overcome to reach these goals:
1- Losing 100 pounds…really? any explanation really needed?
2- My A1C has been as high as 13 - I now have it down to 10. Yes, still high - but I am really making progress
3- I am in my last semester of my Master’s. I now have a two-hour recital to play (I’m a music major), exams to complete, my orals and defense…that and I must continue to complete all of my other goals.
4- I must audition and prepare for Doctoral admissions - and decide if it is smarter to stay where we are, move, or split apart for a year for my doctoral program.
5- Triathlon - I love swimming and running. Don’t really do the biking thing. So, I bought a bike (that was actually my Christmas gift), joined a swimming program with coaches, have signed-up for two 5k’s, and hopefully will participate in one of the diabetes training camps this summer.

This is a lot for me, and for my husband. He is dealing with it by simply ignoring the fact that any of this is going on. His response to me telling him I want to go to a camp, need to get new shoes for my expanded training schedule, etc…? He either ignores me or tells me that I really don’t need that. It’s not a financial thing, either. My family has told me that they will pull together to help me pay for the camp or anything that is really costly. He’s ok with it as long as it doesn’t effect him in a negative way (meaning dinner isn’t ready when he gets home, the house gets messy, his routine is thrown off). Don’t get me wrong. I am not trying to boo-hoo against my hubby. He really is supportive and will do what I need to get and stay healthy and finish my education. However, he just doesn’t have the stamina to be concerned with his health and work and then all of my health issues and work issues as well. I know that this could be solved with getting a group of friends together and doing a team effort. However, most of my friends are in shape, not diabetic, and are musicians more concerned with getting more hours in the practice and not taking time away for exercise.

I just want to find a way to stay motivated and on-track for my goals. I have the short-term goals set, and am actually doing quite well. But school starts in a week, and I just don’t know how well I will stick to it when that stress begins.
I just have to!!!

2

I think that if you can swing going to a Diabetes Training Camp, you will not regret it. It was amazing to me last year how everyone, regardless of his or her level, was able to get so much out of the experience. In all sincerity, it was really life-changing for me.

One suggestion I would have is to find the sprint tri you’d like to do, and go ahead and sign up for it. Once it’s on your calendar, it will be more concrete.

Also, being a student and incorporating exercise can be difficult. In my experience, I have tried to treat it as required, as much as eating and showering are required activities. Also, if you feel like you don’t have a whole hour to exercise, for example, just go out for 10 minutes. Establishing the habit is important. Commit to a time that you can manage mentally, no matter how short; once you’re out there, you may find that you are enjoying it and will want to continue a bit longer.

And exercise can be a great de-stresser and a time for creativity. I am not a professional musician by any means, but took 11 years of piano lessons and did some teaching as well. I have found a strong connection between some of the principles of learning music and exercise, and feel that my background in music has made me a better athlete! I have thought a lot about this on my long runs!

Congrat’s on your goals and feed off the support of those who are encouraging you with them.

Best wishes in 2009,
Anne

3

You are AWESOME! Thanks for all of the suggestions and tips…they are helping a lot! Unfortunately, I cannot register for the triathlon that I want to do for a few more months (it’s not until next fall), but I will sign-up for it as soon as possible. Thank you, and I am for sure going to the diabetes camp in Oregon this summer - am registering for it next week - yay!!

4

i was going to do a degree in music (I play piano) but many people had told me it would be too stressful and hard on my diabetes so I did an art degree instead. I look at someone like you and regret not continuing with my music career; don’t let anyone hold you back from your goals or talk you into not being able to do something because you’re diabetic, apply the same principles you do to your passion to your diabetes thats what I’ve learned :slight_smile:

5

I know, it is hard for people to understand that there are times when I cannot practice or get sick and can’t go to rehearsal. Not often at all, but it does happen. There is A LOT of stress in my degree, but I agree with you…if I put half as much passion into my diabetes that I do my music I should outlive my hubby! Thanks for your kind words…I love you guys!

6

Good luck with your recital, your exams, and your oral defense. I can relate, at least to a point. I was a music minor in college and did a 1 hour senior recital, and had to do an oral defense of my thesis (research-based) for my master’s in psychology. I can’t imagine doing all that at once!

Kudos on your plans, particularly getting in to a doctoral program. My suggestion for doctoral studies? Plan to spend more time than you expect writing your dissertation and jumping through hoops – it seems it’s never ending and faculty seem to take perverse pleasure in pushing around new PhD students. Doctoral work is extremely stressful and seemingly unending! But wholly worth it, if it fits in with your long-term goals.