2013 Youth Ambassador Alex Hogge

      

This edition will introduce us to our 2013 Youth Ambassador: Alex Hogge! Thanks Alex!

 

The American Diabetes Association of Michigan is proud to announce Alex Hogge of Brighton as a 2013 Youth Ambassador for the Annual Tour de Cure. The Tour de Cure is a bike ride that enables all skill levels of bikers to take part in a fun day of cycling throughout Brighton and celebrate their yearlong fundraising efforts for diabetes research. Alex will be riding ten miles in the 2013 Tour de Cure, which takes place on Saturday, June 15^th. This will be Alex’s second year in the ride.

Alex Hogge is an eleven year old sixth grader from Brighton, Michigan who has Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at the age of three, Alex’s parents were initially concerned that diabetes would limit what Alex would be capable of doing while growing up. Fortunately, they could not have been more wrong, as Alex plays tackle football, loves to read and write, takes part in his school’s pride cadet team, and is also on safety patrol. He wants to be an author when he grows up, and frequently reads Rick Riordan’s books.

While Alex is thriving as a straight ‘A’ student and busy with his many activities, diabetes certainly plays a role in his life. Alex says that he has to be aware of his carbohydrate in-take every day, take shots and monitor his blood sugar. Instead of dwelling on these tedious tasks for an eleven year old, Alex says that having diabetes makes him feel as if he is in a “special club.” Alex is able to be a part of the special club at the Annual Tour de Cure where he is highlighted as a Red Rider and the 2013 Tour de Cure Youth Ambassador.

When asked what advice he has for other children who have diabetes or have been recently diagnosed, Alex said to not be afraid of the disease. Alex has chosen to focus on the positive aspects of diabetes, such as going to The American Diabetes Association’s Camp Midicha and riding in the Tour de Cure. Alex’s parents are thrilled that Alex has such a positive outlook on his diabetes and his future. Their advice for parents with children who have diabetes is to research the disease and have a support group of individuals who also have children with diabetes. This group can serve as an outlet when times are hard as well as another informative resource. With the help of people like Alex, the American Diabetes Association hopes that there will be a cure to diabetes soon.

Tour de Cure

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Check-in begins at 6:30am (see website for all check-in and ride times)

Brighton High School

7878 Brighton Rd.

Brighton

For more information and to register please visit: www.diabetes.org/michigantourdecure, or contact Nicki Gabel at ngabel@diabetes.org or 248-433-3830, ext. 6694.

Keep in touch:  Twitter @Mitourdecure, Facebook and You Tube.

The Tour iPhone and Android applications are now available in the iTunes store for free. 

Media Contact:  Chris Morrisroe  cmorrisroe@comcast.net  248-666-3897

More Cycling Training

Continuing with some tip for those riders with diabetes:


Remember to talk to your doctor about your cycling and any increase of activity!!

Check your blood sugar often during training and be prepared to modify your diet. Exercise can improve circulation and we know improved circulation can be very important to diabetics.
Be sure to check your feet after cycling for blisters and make sure you have good fitting cycling shoes. Your favorite bike shop can help ensure you have the right shoes.

Weight training is a good piece of the puzzle to add to your training. Good core strength will help you during your long rides. A few times a week is all you need, be sure to hit a wide range of muscle groups.

A study from Duke University found that intensive exercise can improve carbohydrate metabolism. This is good news for diabetics. What was also interesting about this study was that the improved insulin sensitivity seemed to last for several months after the participants stopped exercising. But I'm betting that you will feel so good you won't want to stop exercising!!

Always keep in mind that there are training resources to help you here at Tour de Cure.
Check back at the blog for updates on Tour and other special features. Please comment or check in with us. Who knows--we may even feature a story on you!

See you at Tour (or before!)

Cycling Training for Beginners

Welcome to the Tour de Cure Blog for the Michigan Tour de Cure!
Join us for the Ride of your Life on June 15, 2013 in Brighton

Training for a cycling event is not impossible-- even if you have a job and a life! There's just a few things to consider.

First: Sign up for an event! This is more important than you think. Paying the registration fee not only secures your spot avoiding disappointment later, but an event on your calendar provides constant motivation. It also leads to constant training, week after week, in a slow progression. 

Next, make sure you are comfortable on your bike. If you aren't, get a professional fitting. Take yourself and your bike to the bike store and ask for a fitting.  

Check your sugar often and modify your diet if necessary. This is a slow and consistent training philosophy, so ride every week! Put in miles but also don't neglect things like intervals and hills. Both of these are vital to a training program. When riding those long miles, do so at a steady pace--don't dilly dally and stop too often for a break.

When you plan your workouts: intervals, hills, long rides, don't just do the same workouts on the same days on the same routes. Mix it up! Training will never be boring. Try different things! This will make consistent training a breeze. Lastly, remember that rest and recovery are a part of training. Take time for recovery and cross training.

Tune back next time for more training tips!

Living Well with Diabetes

Adapted From Prevention Magazine, May 2012


Exercise is an important tool in managing diabetes. During exercise glucose is used by muscles for fuel. This can mean exercise can be as effective as some diabetes medications.


1. Intervals
      10 minutes of intervals per workout can help modulate glucose for up to 24 hours.
             Can do with any sport--just be sure to include recovery intervals
              Still include moderate intensity workouts during the rest of the week

2. Strength
      Don't need heavy weights and lots of reps, body weight exercises like squats and pushups can stimulate additional muscle

3. Get Active!
      Don't be sedentary! Workout, then continue to be active during the day--don't just sit around. Work more movement into your life

Videos on National Tour de Cure You Tube page

Check out Tour de Cure National videos on how to register, fundraise, start a team.



ADA Tour site:  www.youtube.com/TourdeCureNational



Registration Video Instructions for Individuals: http://youtu.be/JWeUDt9xWpY


Registration Video Instructions for Team Captains: http://youtu.be/6YG5dVeuZ_o


Tour Participant Center Video Instructions: http://youtu.be/kDitsw8V4G0


Importing & Managing Contacts Video Instructions: http://youtu.be/6Acf4dGAqVk


Sending Email Video Instructions: http://youtu.be/aOZy8q7W1PA


Fundraising with Facebook Video Instructions: http://youtu.be/tRqX03ouHjA

Feb 2012 Tour de Cure Activities

February 2012 Tour de Cure Activities

February is a busy month! It’s a great time for tuning up your bike, getting any new gear for the upcoming riding season, and fundraising!

Indoor Spin Training:

Bring your bike & mag trainer and join in the fun!

2/6 Performance Bike NOVI

2/11 Performance Bike W. BLOOMFIELD

2/25 Performance Bike W. BLOOMFIELD

Ladies Night at Macomb Cycle & Fitness:

2/21

Start a team! Join a team! Fundraise! Swag! Training Advice!

Fundraising Rountable:

2/29

ADA Offices in Bingham Farms: 10 am & 6pm

Learn about successful fundraising, get questions answered.

General Tour de Cure Announcements

Score an invite to the VIP party & VIP ride by raising $1000 by 5/28/12

This was so much fun last year… you definitely want in on this. The goal is very doable—stop by the Fundraising Roundtable for advice.

Reward Programs for Returning Rockin’ Riders

ADA staff & volunteers are working on rewards for riding—stay tuned for more information.

Don’t want to ride?

Volunteer! Tour de Cure relies on non-riding volunteers for creating a Rockin’ Ride.  And we are always looking for Committee Members to help all year long.

The Organizations that Make It Happen:

Kroger, Clif, Nissan, Chili’s, Michigan Podiatric Association, Yelp, Blue Care Network, Performance Bikes, American Cycle & Fitness, Oakland Regional Hospital, Hamburg Fitness Center.

THANK YOU!

Watch for March activities, including the Kick Off Party!

Excercise 2012

*Adapted from Women's Health magazine, Nov 2011

Some interesting statistics on weight and diabetes, and its precursor: insulin resistance.

Approximately 15% of Type 2 diabetics aren't overweight, but have additional visceral fat that is not noticeable. Visceral fat is typically found around near internal organs. The reason these people may have developed diabetes may be due to lack of exercise. Even moderate exercise has been shown to lower blood sugar.

Other risk factors may be yo-yo dieting and daily stress. Attempting to control weight by diet alone, without proper exercise is not a long term solution to excess weight.

Scientists are learning that specific DNA may hinder pancreatic function. Sugar can't get into cells, flood the bloodstream and can cause damage to organs.

Another alarming statistic, a whopping 93% of prediabetics don't know they are sick--and these are the very people that can be helped most by diet and exercise.

Two ways to reduce your risk: eat as little added sugars as possible and more unprocessed foods each day. As always, start with small changes to reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

If you are looking to start exercising, talk to your doctor, then join us for the 2012 Tour de Cure bike ride! Tour information can be found at
http://tour.diabetes.com

How easy fundraising can be!

Some advice from one of our top fundraisers: its not hard if you get creative!
Many thanks from Paul Schwartz



Zacky explains his success pretty simply:  I took Mommy's Yahoo address book and started sending emails.  (Mommy has a BIG address book).

His motivation was: "I'm going to beat Poppy"

His sympathy vote was:  "How can we let that old man beat that sweet little boy?  It will break his heart.  How much does he need to win?"

While no one with Diabetes wants to be defined by their disease, I want to be intimately associated with Diabetes.  Everyone needs to know that I am a Diabetes fundraiser.  I wear my Tour de Cure jacket and jersey proudly.  I do not raise funds for other organizations, even when I am closely associated with them.  The only request my friends and family will ever receive from me is for donations for Tour de Cure.  I don't have the disease, but I want to see the cure.

I also find that people are often looking to make tax deductable donations before the end of the year.  Some of my donors have given twice; before year's end and again when the Tour announcement goes out.  So early registration helps.  I usually have raised the "minimum" in the first hour or 24 hours from having sent out the emails.  Without a real commitment to the cause, the fundraising would be over in a day or two.  "Commitment" is continuing to raise funds when the minimum has been surpased long ago.  I also have supporters who don't respond to email, but will respond to a letter faithfully.  I hate doing a letter, but they will not donate if they don't get one, so...there is a letter.

In 2011, Zacky was physically surrounded by his Aunt, two Uncles (one of whom is a Red Rider), another family friend, and myself, to assure his safety while riding on streets.  It was probably his longest ride, ever and the pace was set to his ability.  We started late, at the back of the pack, and finished "on track", due some creative route adjustment for Zacky's benefit.  If it had been the Tour de France, we cheated; but it was the Tour de Cure and everyone had a great time!  (In past years, with different Team members, we used to take an extra loop around Kensington because it was a pretty day and we were having fun.)  No one should EVER be intimidated by the route or distance.  We only "keep score" on what you raise, not on what you ride.

Tips for healthy holiday eating

Who doesn't want to continue eating healthy durng the holiday season? Who wants out of control glucose readings?
Read on for a few tips for holiday eating, adapted from eatingwell.com

• Choose wisely
• Why waste calories and carbs on foods that are only 'so-so'? Spend your carbs on foods that are special
• Plan ahead
• Its OK to ask what is on the menu, it will help you plan the rest of your day's eating.
• Bring your own
• Its also OK to bring a dish to pass that you like and that fits in your diabetic meal plan.
• Wait until after dinner to have a drink
• Focus on the fesitivities and not on the food
• If you are talking, you can't be eating! 

Training Rides!

You almost can't go a day without a spin training or group ride. I guess that is what rest days are for!!!

Current Training Ride Schedule:

Performance Bicycle - Novihttp://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_418002_-1___
No-drop group rides every Saturday
9 a.m. - road bikes; 12 p.m. - mountain bikes

Mondays, Performance Bicycle, Novi6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Spin from 6:30 to 7:30
Flexibility for Cyclists from 7:30 to 8
Please bring a trainer and bike.

Tuesday & Thursdays American Cycle & Fitness (www.americancycleandfitness.com)
Walled Lake, Royal Oak and Macomb Township locations
Indoor Cycle for Charity starts on Tuesday, November 8 and runs through the end of February. Last year these incredible spin trainings raised more than $3000 for the ADA's Tour de Cure!
All proceeds can benefit the Tour de Cure (or Make-A-Wish); each rider decides!
$10/session, $50/month or $150/season
Each rider must bring his/her own bike and trainer; ACF will give riders a 10% discount on trainers if purchased during November-February.
Please bring a towel and a water bottle. Each session is led by a Wolverine Club Cycling Instructor.

A Few Words About our Youngest VIP Rider

Zacky explains his success pretty simply:  I took Mommy's Yahoo address book and started sending emails.  (Mommy has a BIG address book).

His motivation was: "I'm going to beat Poppy"

His sympathy vote was:  "How can we let that old man beat that sweet little boy?  It will break his heart.  How much does he need to win?"

While no one with Diabetes wants to be defined by their disease, I want to be intimately associated with Diabetes.  Everyone needs to know that I am a Diabetes fundraiser.  I wear my Tour de Cure jacket and jersey proudly.  I do not raise funds for other organizations, even when I am closely associated with them.  The only request my friends and family will ever receive from me is for donations for Tour de Cure.  I don't have the disease, but I want to see the cure.

I also find that people are often looking to make tax deductable donations before the end of the year.  Some of my donors have given twice; before year's end and again when the Tour announcement goes out.  So early registration helps.  I usually have raised the "minimum" in the first hour or 24 hours from having sent out the emails.  Without a real commitment to the cause, the fundraising would be over in a day or two.  "Commitment" is continuing to raise funds when the minimum has been surpased long ago.  I also have supporters who don't respond to email, but will respond to a letter faithfully.  I hate doing a letter, but they will not donate if they don't get one, so...there is a letter.

In 2011, Zacky was physically surrounded by his Aunt, two Uncles (one of whom is a Red Rider), another family friend, and myself, to assure his safety while riding on streets.  It was probably his longest ride, ever and the pace was set to his ability.  We started late, at the back of the pack, and finished "on track", due some creative route adjustment for Zacky's benefit.  If it had been the Tour de France, we cheated; but it was the Tour de Cure and everyone had a great time!  (In past years, with different Team members, we used to take an extra loop around Kensington because it was a pretty day and we were having fun.)  No one should EVER be intimidated by the route or distance.  We only "keep score" on what you raise, not on what you ride.


(Editor Note: Want to be a VIP? Register for the Tour and raise money! http:\\tour.diabetes.org )

10 Reasons to Exercise

From diabetes.org

1. Improve blood glucose management.
2. Lower blood pressure. Activity helps your heart pump stronger and slower
3. Improve blood fates. Exercise can raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
4. Take less insulin or diabetes pills. Activity can lower blood glucose and weight.
5. Lose weight and keep it off. If you burn enough calories, you'll trim a few pounds.
6. Lower risk for other health problems.
7. Gain more energy and sleep better.
8. Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Work out or walk off daily stress.
9. Build stronger bones and muscles.
10. Be more flexible. Move easier when you are active.

So, even if you don't ride your bike, making exercise part of your day will produce awesome results!

November is National Diabetes Month!
Not only are we celebrating our Red Riders, but everyone living with diabetes--and living to the fullest!
During the month, we'll try to bring you timely information on surviving the holidays, diabetes research and Tour de Cure Michigan updates.


TRAINING! November 12, Performance Bicycle, Novi8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Indoor training - bring your trainer!

November 12, Diabetes Health Expo
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Oakland Regional Hospital, 22401 Foster Winter Dr., 2nd Floor, Southfield
The Michigan Podiatric Medical Association (MPMA), Oakland Regional Hospital and The American Diabetes Association have joined to host a FREE health expo to educate the public on the signs, causes, treatments and general information on diabetes.

Do you know of other diabetes related events? I'd love to know about them!

Hi Riders:

Join Tour de Cure Volunteers & Riders tomorrow, 9/29 at 5:30pm at the Kent Lake parking lot at Island Lake Rec Area. We will have snacks, a bike mechanic, and plenty of quiet park road to train on. Bring a fellow rider, we'd be happy to tell them what Tour de Cure is all about.
The ride will depart at 6pm sharp.
This will be the first of many training rides, we want to give you plenty of time to be ready Rock your Ride 2012!

Welcome to fall! Don't let the crisp air and cool mornings stop you from riding your bike. The volunteers of Tour de Cure are planning for training rides in the next few weeks. Don't put that bike away yet!
What are your best ideas for staying warm on fall rides?
I like to dress in layers so you can take some off when you get too warm. Also a hat under your helmet may help. Long tights or an extra pants over your bike shorts make your legs nice and toasty.
Keep watching, we'll post our training rides soon!
Happy training, remember that you can register for 2012 Tour at:
tour.diabetes.org

You can follow us on Twitter at @MItourdecure

Welcome to Michigan Tour de Cure blog!

9/2/11
Welcome to the new Michigan Tour de Cure blog!
We'll post stories, press releases, information, recipes, anecdotes,volunteer information, pictures, and whatever else we can think of!
The Michigan Tour de Cure is a bike tour in Brighton that benefits the American Diabetes Association and its mission. We prove that living with diabetes does not mean that you can't have fun and be active! Join us in June 2012. Registration is found at tour.diabetes.org
If you have any advice, ideas, suggestions, or stories, I would love to hear them.