My Biggest Hang Up
Monday, July 22, 2013 at 8:22AM Last night I was watching a recorded episode of Extreme Weight Loss. If you have not seen the show I suggest you check it out. I like anything where the end result is positive and uplifting regardless of the struggles along the way.
Participants spend one year with trainer Chris Powell helping them to lose weight and get fit. It is Extreme and at times he can be in your face but he never feels mean, or gets nasty with people. It's why I enjoy it so much, that human touch of caring is what sets this apart from other weight loss shows.
You should also know that each episode is the entire year process so you don't have to tune in next week for results.
So I said to myself, "I need this. I need to get on this show." And the first thing that I think about is the image of me on a screen with no shirt on.
No way!
They always show the participants in either a bathing suit (women) or shirtless (men) at the beginning and refer back to it throughout the year to compare progress.
Why you ask would I not want to stand there on tv without a shirt? Not because of my fat believe it or not. As much as I hate to look at myself in the mirror the fat is second in what disgusts me.
It's acne.
A few weeks ago on DSMA Live out of no where I started talking about it and I have NEVER spoken to anyone by my wife about it before. For a long time I have been struggling with acne on my back and chest. I have tried over the counter stuff, showering several more times a day besides the daily shower I take each morning. Nothing has worked.
This sort of thing is easy to ignore because unless you see me without a shirt you really wouldn't know. So even though I have a swimming pool at my home I never get in it unless I am alone or with extremely close family.
The last time I was at Doctor Awesome's I mentioned my issue. He asked me if I had ever talked to a doctor about my acne before. I told him that I had but that the doctor told me that it was because of my diabetes and there is really nothing they can do unless I get my diabetes under total control.
"Georgie, Georgie, Georgie. How about this? George Bush is the reason you have acne. How does that sound?" He explained that just because I have diabetes doesn't mean I have to live with acne forever. It also is not the cause.
We all know diabetes can affect our lives in lots of different ways but it does not mean that every single thing wrong is because of diabetes and it ABSOLUTELY does not mean that you are just meant to DEAL WITH IT because you got dealt a crumby hand!
This Thursday I have an appointment with a dermintologist who is very versed on diabetes and knows my doctor well. He assured me that she would help.
"Don't worry Georgie, we will get you taken care of soon." My doctor never lets me leave without some comforting word. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that.
Soon my weight will be my biggest struggle and maybe then I will consider calling Chris Powell over to get me in gear.
One thing at a time right?
Reader Comments (32)
Congratulations, George. I hope you start to feel as wonderful as you seem to be :)
Hope your dermatologist can figure this out! Sometimes we (I include myself in this) grow so comfortable in our own skin (so to speak) with our own ailments, that we are intimidated by the thought of doing something about it. Then when the issue is resolved, we wonder why we didn't deal with it earlier...
I love that show too. I don't watch TV normally. Not enough time in my day, I discovered this show a couple months ago, and I actually plan for it each week. The girl last week was my favorite so far. Although the guy with 1 arm was pretty inspiring too.
Regarding your acne, I had a chiro tell me once that digestive enzymes would cure my psoriasis and it also helps with acne. I told myself "what does he know, he's a bone doctor". Years later, I started researching enzymes, and tried them. It worked! The problem is that you have take the enzymes with everything you eat or drink. Not easy, so I still deal with psoriasis. Acne and psoriasis are usually the body reacting to something you're eating. Usually dairy. I helped 2 friends make their acne go away by talking them into removing dairy completely from their diet for 2 weeks. Maybe ask your dermatologist about that when you see them? I hope that helps!
I still have scars on my cheeks from years and years of horrible acne - and I'm still humiliated by it. I don't even talk about it to Pete (so I can't believe I'm typing it here). I love you, and thank you for being brave enough to share.
I have to remind myself quite often that not everything wrong is because of diabetes. Sometimes it is just wrong all of it's own accord.
Thanks for sharing! I never thought when I was struggling with acne at 17 that I would still be dealing with it at 31, but I do too. Of course, mine is on my face. Lately it comes and goes. It doesn't seem to matter how I adjust my diet. I did the dermatologist thing for a while, and it was helpful, but eventually I've also discovered an over-the-counter routine that's working for me that probably costs about the same amount of money.
I've often wondered if it's diabetes-related, but I think it's more hormones and stress. I hope you can find a treatment that works for you to boost your confidence!
xo
Thanks for sharing! I never thought when I was struggling with acne at 17 that I would still be dealing with it at 31, but I do too. Of course, mine is on my face. Lately it comes and goes. It doesn't seem to matter how I adjust my diet. I did the dermatologist thing for a while, and it was helpful, but eventually I've also discovered an over-the-counter routine that's working for me that probably costs about the same amount of money.
I've often wondered if it's diabetes-related, but I think it's more hormones and stress. I hope you can find a treatment that works for you to boost your confidence!
xo
You are beautiful and brave and wonderful and thank you so much for sharing and helping so many others in the process!
I LOVE YOU AND I LOVE DR. AWESOME!!!!
Xoxo
#dblogcheck - I need to take my daughter's acne more seriously. Thank you for sharing!
I have the same problem with acne on my back. Hate it liike hell! Let me know what works! We 40 year olds have to stick together. Thanks for sharing.
I have found no correlation between my diabetes management and my experience with acne. That's just silly!
Checking in! #dblogcheck
I struggled with acne (still do) for years and it's always been a real source of self-consciousness for me. Thanks for sharing this, G. It seems like you've empowered a lot of people to raise their hands with a "Me, too!" xo
How brave is this post!? You are awesome and I know sharing private things can be so difficult.
Love you G!
I love you. That's all. Just I love you.
Hello, Dr. Awesome! HE IS AWESOME! Woohoo for clear skin!
True... it's just temporary. Personally, Noritate works well for me. Good for you and your doc for sorting things out.
You really do have a super star doctor and I have faith that the dermatologist will be able to help you. What a burden lifted from your life that will be!
#dblogcheck
I'm continually impressed by your endo. I wish we knew about more doctors that are just as encouraging.
Thanks for sharing this George. I agree, there's been a few things where I've thought, oh - it's just diabetes related and I can't fix it. Or, I need to tighten up my control again and that IS the fix. But, sometimes neither is the actual answer. Good luck at the dermatologist!
Hope it's a good appointment and he/she has a solution for you!
I hope you get some answers and a plan of action! Big hugs to you. #dblogcheck
One thing at a time indeed. Love you!
Hope you get some answers!
Ugh. Skin issues suck! I hope you're able to get answers ASAP!