Coaching

Through my new job I had to complete a health assessment for my health insurance provider.  I answered all kinds of personal questions about tobacco use, weight, eating habits, sleep, just about anything you could think of, including "does your back hurt sometimes?"

A week or so later I got a phone call from a nice woman telling me I was at risk for diabetes.  We finally decided the best course of action was to arrange for telephone coaching with a nutritionist.  I had my first appointment today and it was great!

My coach and I talked for about 20 minutes.  I told her about my journey thus far and how I've been stuck for almost two years now.

We talked about how it's always going to be an uphill journey.  I have a mountain in front of me, but the mountain doesn't get any smaller by standing at the bottom of it and complaining about how big it is.  The only thing I can do is start working my way up it.  I'm going to have to do better at fighting through cravings.

She gave me three pieces of homework.  First is a goal to exercise for half an hour five days this week.  The second is to use a smaller plate when I eat.  The third one is when I eat impulsively, to give myself permission to do it, but write it down first so I can determine what my triggers are.  I can see this is going to be useful.

I'm very optimistic.  I'm finally getting the help I need to move in the right direction.  I'm glad someone at Health Partners realized it's cheaper to pay someone to help me stay healthy than paying to treat me for Diabetes (or worse).