August 30, 2018

The Type 2 Medical Device that makes the Biggest Difference for Me - a Bicycle.

Two wheels, pedals, and spandex.  I know that the last thought is not a pretty image. - Sorry.

Biking helps with blood sugars (unless I have a massive Reese Cup craving after a long ride.) Time on the bike helps transfer weight from my gut to my leg muscles and maybe also shed a few pounds off.  I find a calm, meditative state when I ride. Particularly in a group ride where I don't need to think about navigation. Some folks get that in yoga, for me it kicks in around mile three of a long spin.

But even though I love biking, at times, I just don't want to go out. Last week I had 100 miles in five days. This week - zero. It is too hot, I told myself. The sofa is too comfy, whatever. It is super easy to swap being active for the shadow of being active.

I need some help keep at it. Peer pressure can be that nudge. I find knowing that my friends are out running or biking makes me feel I should 'keep up.' Strava.com, an activity tracking site helps me stay motivated.

I was invited to Stava years ago by a friend (thanks Adam) who is much younger, more fit than I am, and thinks about motivation more than I do (follow that link.) I was afraid Strava would put me in competition with him. That is something that I couldn't win. So it took me a while to join.

Turns out, we didn't complete we just gave each other 'attaboys. Who doesn't like a pat on the back?

Being part of a real-world group helps too. I don't socialize a lot on rides (see meditative above), but there is a comradery to groups, an implicit I'll show up and ride with you if you show up to ride with me. I have had rides where my ability/will to keep going broke. I hit the wall. Friends slowed down and helped me back. I have paid that forward for others.

Today Strava and real-world are colliding. I passed on riding on Tuesday. It was crazy hot. But there, on Strava, I see my friends showed up to ride anyway. That is enough to guilt me into a ride in the crazy hot tonight.

Thankfully, I have friends that help pull me back when I feel an excuse to not exercise. My type 2 device doesn't make a difference if I don't use it.


August 2, 2018

Call Lilly for Help with Insulin

The market for medicine in the United States is nuts. It is not always easy for patients to find the options that may help.

Navigating the process for Lilly insulin users is now easier with a newly opened helpline. They say:
Starting August 1, a new dedicated helpline called the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center will assist people who need help paying for their insulin – such as those with lower incomes, the uninsured, and people in the deductible phase of their high deductible insurance plans, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today. A customized suite of solutions for all Lilly insulins, including for Humalog® (insulin lispro), will be used by helpline operators to find answers that best fit the personal circumstances of patients.*
Nothing in diabetes is perfect. Hopefully, this is one step towards better form many.  Better is Better.



*More at https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-lilly-diabetes-helpline-assist-people-seeking-solutions