Fat, Diabetic and Almost Dead!

Yes indeed that is me.

My name is Douglas Buehrle.  I am a  registered nurse from NC USA.  I just turned 58 in Dec.   I am overweight, out of shape, and sick.  I have type 2 diabetes and am  not only taking pills but have become insulin dependent.   I weigh 269 pounds and I look and feel terrible.   In 2012 I almost died from a medication deemed dangerous by the FDA, I suffered from  depression, I experienced my first panic attack, and I lost my vision for a  while due to severe angular glaucoma requiring 2 surgeries.  I hit a  telephone pole while riding my bike and damaged a  shoulder requiring injections and 2 hours exercise nightly just to keep my range of motion.  I don't sleep well and use Ambien as a sleep aid most night.  I have had migraine headaches and hemorrhoids that drive me crazy.  I am ready for change!  I know fad diets are not the answer so I need some help and this blog is going to be my journey to health in 2013 starting with a  60 day juice fast.  I am inspired by 2 recent books i found on Netflix.  #1.  " Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"  #2.  "Hungry for Change"  If you have Netflix I recommend you watch these 2  movies.  If you do not have Netflix I would think you could get them most other places, and Netflix offers a 30 day free subscription.  If that is the only reason you would try Netflix it would be worth while.

Please join me as I post my progress, trials and numerous humorous  experiences.  I invite you to join me on this journey for a  couple reasons. First I believe if I post this I will stick with it. Second, I believe this really is my final window of opportunity to get healthy for the rest of my life. 

Getting Ready for Change

I knew I needed to check out my health before I start this journey so I decided to have a  colonoscopy, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonoscopy, a complete blood check, and vital sign checkup.    I have normal range on my blood counts, slightly elevated cholesterol and normal Blood pressure.  My diabetes is a little brittle, meaning all over the map from lows in the 70's to highs near 300 on any given day.  ( A: Normal blood sugar or blood glucose should range from 65 mg/dL to 109 mg/dL while fasting.)  My Colonoscopy was good and so I am clear to go on my Fasting juice diet.