Hiking in warm weather

Posted April 30, 2009 22:38

Doris - I’ll have to see what happens to my BG next time I’m in a hot tub (which is very rare since I’m not a big lover of being a lobster in a pot of boiling water). With the insulin pump– I always disconnect before sliding in – so the insulin in the reservoir doesn’t “cook” – so maybe that helps me abit in not allowing my BG’s to go into hypo mode. I also can only take about 10 – 15 minutes before I have to take a plunge into cooler water.

I'm really lucky that I've had no complications with my feet after all the years of having diabetes. I take really good care of my feet (if I could be barefoot and wearing my Birks all the time - I would be in heaven). I hated wearing socks with my sandals as a child which was what my parents had been advised that I should do as a diabetic - upon leaving home - guess what I tossed in the bin!

Where we were at Cocoa Beach – I didn’t see any portable cabanas – just chairs and beach umbrellas (we had brought a beach umbrella from home). Where I burnt my feet was when getting off the board walk onto the sand (think of Dudley Moore in “10”). I realized within a nanosecond that my feet were sizzling (I swear I could hear them). I sprinted as fast as my body could take me – to the water – and not look like I was panicking (my sis-in-law had no idea until afterwards what had happened – remember – she’s the smart one – knowing how hot the sand is as she’s a local gal). I think after seeing what happened to me – she realizes now she should “warn” summer visitors in future to wear flip flops. Now, of course, walking on beaches barefoot around Maine / New Hampshire is no problem for me in the summer– which you probably can agree to! It’s also my version of the el cheapo pedicure – I love walking up and down the beach – good foot / leg workout.

My sis-in-laws pool is heated by solar power. Luckily, it was actually very comfortable – since it’s still Spring – when I was there last summer – the water was abit too warm for my Northern tastes. I prefer fresh water lakes or the ocean further north – that water makes you feel ALIVE!!! I also am not a big sun worshipper (beach combing is my fav thing) – as it buggers up my BG’s to where they go low. So, you’ll see me walking along with a big white long sleeved shirt and floppy hat to shield me from the suns rays! I probably would do this even if I wasn’t a diabetic – just makes sense to me.

Actually Anna, the "concern" over diabetics and our freaking feet claim to be because we can't feel them - love how they assume none of us can feel them or bother to look therefore, we automatically shouldn't do x. y, z, ....  Stupid!  Don't tell me to stay out of the hot tub because I might not feel me feet.  How 'bout telling me to avoid the hot tub because is drastically lowers blood sugar - you know, useful information!  I had to find out the hard way and then have it confirmed years later by an article I just happened to read.

Didn't Cocoa Beach have (portable) cabanas you could rent?  All the beaches we used to go to on Jensen Beach, West Palm and Sanibel had cabanas which were invaluable to this red head who gets dizzy and overheated in the sun (diabetes or no diabetes) unless I'm standing in a pool. 

Are you saying your sister in law's pool is heated???  You said it was likely to be too warm because your sister in law likes it that way; I'm surmising.  Why would one need the pool heater on in Florida in almost May??? Oh my!

Sounds like the sun and your blood sugar are in fine agreement!

Doris