Perhaps what I am writing today seems so simple and elemental, but for me is a revelation. If you already know this… good for you! My priorities in terms of health used to look like this: 1) exercise, 2) diet, and 3) sleep. In my mind, if I exercise, I automatically eat and sleep better, and, to an extent, this was true. However, I am learning that the proper order of priorities is: 1) sleep, 2) diet, and 3) exercise. 

To address my severe sleep apnea, I am applying some of the things I am learning. I can’t explain the science behind it; I am not going to even try. I am just looking at the personal results. So, 1) I am taking my hat off and taking time to let the morning sun hit my face directly and do so throughout the day. 2) I am practicing some very simple breathing exercises right before I go to bed. I inhale for 5 seconds, hold my breath for 7 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds. I repeat this about 3 times, and it does relax me. Lastly, I am making sure I don’t eat anything for at least 3 hours before I go to bed. I find myself, most nights, sleeping much better.

To address my diabetes, I am focusing on a carnivore diet. This morning, for example, I had two eggs, a couple of sausages, and a couple of slices of bacon.  This is an elimination diet. I have been doing this since 12/28/2022. I ate broccoli on an occasion, and a salad on a couple of occasions, but I have been very aggressive in eliminating the obvious carbs found in rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, fruit, and junk food in general. It is the first time I am on a diet where I don’t find myself hungry all the time. This carnivore diet seems to take away my obsession with food.  

I was so encouraged this morning because, for the first time since the summer of last year, my sugar was normal in the morning (118). The normal is anything between 100 and 126. I have been waking up with my sugar way into the 200s and even 300s. 

In terms of exercising, I like to walk and do so throughout the day during work hours. Exercise has not been a problem for me. Even if I walk five minutes here and there, I tried to keep moving through the day. I learned by watching the Blue Zones communities’ documentaries, not to seat around too long. That is better to move throughout the day than to seat all day and then go to the gym for an hour. I still ride my Peloton Bicycle and enjoy taking long walks with my dog Luna; I also lift some weights, do some squats, do some push-ups, stretch, and so on; but nothing crazy. Since December 28, 2021, I have lost 20 pounds. 

Last week I called my doctor to let her know that I will not do blood work until March. I did not tell her what I was doing; but that I was trying something new. In March I will see what the blood work tells me… that is the real test. See, when I met my doctor last year, she told me that at 54 I look 35… she stated that I look good, but inside I was 65. She also told me that she has seen folks like me, looking good and then they just drop dead! Wow! 

I like my doctor, but all she is trained to do is to give me medications. Traditional medicine does not look for healing; healing is bad business. But I do believe in doing blood work and seeing the face of my doctor telling me that I am doing exceptionally well. I want to see her shocked by the results of my health for a long period. Hopefully, she engages in the same journey my wife is in with Integrated Medicine.

To be continued…