well, it looks to me like you are doing alright. Your A1c is fine. your bp is a little high. the only thing I see is that most of those things you do are quiet, and maybe they mean someting more active that needs includes some exercise.
I wish my A1c was 6 something.

I think whoever tells you that you need the hobbies are well meaning, but as long as you can lose yourself in reading or games, as opposed to your mind running through problems, they are fine.

The only thing I would add, is some physical activity, unless your work allows you to be walking a lot, or lifting and such. If not, a half-hour walk each evening, may help.

The other thing is, finding a group of people to do something with once a week or so, might be a good stress reducer.

I too, love alone time, but I can sometimes take it to an extreme, but I am retired. No co-workers. I also hate heat and it seems to raise my BS.

I take Lisinopril for blood pressure. It works fine with my Metformin. Just thought I'd add that. I didn't even know there could be a conflict.

PS-I forgot to add: CONGRATS on the weight loss!

first congratulations on the weight loss, and yes you need to get outside, see what the world has, your activities tend to be inside. Take a walk around the neighborhood, do you know your neighbors even? etc

Ok, I will add exercise. My nutritionist suggested it as did my PCP and wellness counselor. Plus I know I need it. I'll try walking..at work, perhaps (too many people here have pit bulls and they scare me even when locked in the gates). My jobsite has a lake and is bound on one side by the Mississippi River. Nice view..

MzizGayle, been here 16 years and know about 6 of my neighbors! I'll meet more! There's a rec center about 2 miles from the subdivision. I'll start there and will pick up the hobbies mentioned.

Thanks!! I love the honesty of the group. You all rock!!

Congrats on your weight loss! I hear that walking is one of the best exercises there is. I have joint pain that prevents me from doing a lot of walking, but I do get out and walk the dogs. My A1c was 11 but I am a new diabetic and that was my first one. I am hoping my next one will be much better, it should because lately my BS has been low a lot more than high. I am one 2 different pills and lantus, you are so lucky not to be on any meds. Keep up the good work and hopefully you will never have to be. I take liscinipril with hct and it so far is working with my other meds. Good Luck to you!

rec center would be a great place to begin,

my hubby and I lived in an apartment complex many years ago, we were there 20 years, each court yard had 36 apartments and I hate to say I only knew the names of 2 families in my building only, but we are much better at that, we are both loners but that was too alone so we moved and made it a point to get to know our neighbors, tho sometimes we know too much now ROFL

I can't stand the heat either. I dread August every year.

Congratulations on losing 60 pounds. Sounds like you have plenty of interests, but - if - you want to add an activity, the most amazing, relaxing class I ever tried was EFT tapping therapy as part of a yoga class with exercise. This particular instructor just incorporated the tapping into the exercise -- the immediate effect, after the class, was as relaxing as after a massage - nothing like it. Some people have put their own unique (weird) spin on it, but all we did was tap different areas while moving. I miss being near anything I might want to do - there's no tapping classes here in the middle of nowhere, but I'm sure you have it if you're near a city. Tapping definitely sounds gimmicky, but I took the class a few times, and I've tried tons of things over the years and just loved it.

THanks Pinterest Fan. EFT tapping sounds interesting. Not familiar with it until you wrote of it. I live in the capital city so someone should be offering it. Again, thanks for that recommendation. Feels good to relax and I look forward to it and a professional massage!

Do you ever play with one of those consoles that allows you to move around eg wii fit, ps move etc? Playing games like dancing, tennis etc could help you move around and does not require going outdoors.

Lizzie, a friend suggested trying that (prior to my diagnosis and when I wanted to lose weight) about a year or so ago but I did not recall it. I had not followed through on it b/c when I went to WM I was unprepared for all the kinds, pieces, functions etc...to select fom..so I bypassed it. I will revisit that option. Thanks!!

release2find: I hear you on that Louisiana heat!! I live in Alabama and it is pretty much the same here, but probably a bit more humid for you. I don't really have any hobbies, as such, but are plenty of things I like to do when it isn't too hot. And there is always housework...lol. But some of the things I do like to do it just go wishful shopping at a mall or Walmart etc. Walk the dogs, or if you don't have pets, just walk for 5 mins or so each day, when not too hot. Love to attend county music concerts when anywhere near where I live. These things keep me plenty busy. I would love to do needle work again if I could afford it and see better, but at age 67 and with diabetes my eye sight is not what it used to be.

I have never really ever had much problems with stress, but I live with family members who do, and I know what toll it can take on a person.

Take Care, and I hope you find something that can help relieve your stress!

Thanks Janice. I do housework. Have been transforming closets and packing away clothes. Now I am decluttering a room and seeting it up for my laptops and wifi printer. Went to a Cardiologist last Tuesday for BP management (to get it lower than 150/90 which I have been averaging lately with all types of med changes) . The Cardio has suggested that I get a full nights sleep vs. up and down sleep; he has order my laptops out of the bedroom, turn off tv in bedroom (I kept it on all night-never turned it off), watch tv from a chair vs in bed..he says the sleep will help the anxiety and the BP; He also has me to do a worry/problem/to do list before bed - with solutions..

I've been going to big stores without a real purpose, but browsing moreso,; I've been invited to a friend's family reunion, I visited and reconnected with friends I had not seen in a couple of years.

I may even take a needlepoint class at the rec center. Always wanted to know how that was done. I certainly can do a 5 minute walk; and we have a Live after 5 concert every Friday here in Baton Rouge, Don't know if this would be stress free, but a friend want me to go to the Riverboat Casino...I used to go and may visit for an hour. It'll take that long to walk around and see what kinds on slot machines they now have. Thanks for your suggestions..

Sounds like you are heading into the right direction dear...needlepoint can be relaxing, but my favorite craft is crochet, can sit and do that all day and even watch tv while doing it lol

MzizGayle, glad you made the distinction b/c I was thinking needlepoint WAS crocheting. That's the one I had in mind. I never learned bavk in the 70s when some of my friends did. Now I'd love to be able to at least make a throw or two for lying around in my den...Now that, I think I could easily get hooked on if I could find a place where they teach it..They may have a leisure or short-course at the local university or Council on Aging or one of the Parish (we don't have counties) Rec centers for a small fee. I'm excited!! I WILL follow up on that, And someone suggested a massage...Never had a therapeutic one.. I feel an anxiety-controlled future is not far away!! Thanks for all of these suggestions. I intend to incorporate as many as I can. Yaaay!!