Sugar and The Jitters

[Dale Allen Raby]

I recently developed diabetes. Other than watching my sugar and carb intake, I am not undergoing any treatment, though I also have cancer and am being treated for that. Over the last week or so my shooting seems to have improved noticeably. Before, I had trouble steadying my sights on a target. Of late, I bring the sights into alignment on the target and they seem pretty much rock-steady, even shooting off-hand from a standing position. This morning, as an example, I was able to shoot a soda can at 75 yards with iron sights. I'm sure that for some shooters here, that is not an overly grand accomplishment, but for me, it certainly is. Prior to now, the best I could do reliably on a target that small was fifty yards at best, and I would normally set them out at 25 yards.

I was using a T/C Hawken .50 caliber with factory QLA muzzle, 70 grains of 777 and a 265 grain .429 Keith bullet in an unmentionable.

I wonder, has anyone else noticed better shooting with reduced sugar intake?

 

[necchi]

Absolutely. Diet and especially recent intake just prior to or during a match has a huge affect on how the muscles we use for a hold and shot is a big deal.
There's even science behind how long a hold can last before all the chemicals the body uses for muscle control deplete.
If your not making that off hand shot within 10-15 seconds of the hold, your better off dropping the stance to recover for 30-60 seconds

 

[longcruise]

My vision sharpened up quite a bit when I went head to head with diabetes. Shooting improved a lot.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

My vision sharpened up quite a bit when I went head to head with diabetes. Shooting improved a lot.

Well... something else I can look forward to...

 

[Stub]

My hat is off to you if you can hit a soda can at 75 yards on a regular basis. That is good shooting for any old timer regardless of whatever other health issues are present.
Maybe if I eat carefully there’s hope for me after all.

 

[FishDFly]

I recently developed diabetes. Other than watching my sugar and carb intake, I am not undergoing any treatment, though I also have cancer and am being treated for that. Over the last week or so my shooting seems to have improved noticeably. Before, I had trouble steadying my sights on a target. Of late, I bring the sights into alignment on the target and they seem pretty much rock-steady, even shooting off-hand from a standing position. This morning, as an example, I was able to shoot a soda can at 75 yards with iron sights. I'm sure that for some shooters here, that is not an overly grand accomplishment, but for me, it certainly is. Prior to now, the best I could do reliably on a target that small was fifty yards at best, and I would normally set them out at 25 yards.

I was using a T/C Hawken .50 caliber with factory QLA muzzle, 70 grains of 777 and a 265 grain .429 Keith bullet in an unmentionable.

I wonder, has anyone else noticed better shooting with reduced sugar intake?

I have to list of to do and not to do at list at shoots.

Number one is eat a good breakfast before shooting.

Number two and three is have plenty of food around to snack on and drink plenty of liquids.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

My hat is off to you if you can hit a soda can at 75 yards on a regular basis. That is good shooting for any old timer regardless of whatever other health issues are present.
Maybe if I eat carefully there’s hope for me after all.

There's ALWAYS hope!

 

[TraderVic]

My wife and I went "grain free" about 6 - 7 years ago and have been slowly reducing sugar, carbs, bad fats (yes - there are good fats ! ).
It's encouraging to read the positive replies here. FWIW, I'm 69 and haven't been on any prescription medicine for some time (years).

 

[TDM]

I recently developed diabetes. Other than watching my sugar and carb intake, I am not undergoing any treatment, though I also have cancer and am being treated for that. Over the last week or so my shooting seems to have improved noticeably. Before, I had trouble steadying my sights on a target. Of late, I bring the sights into alignment on the target and they seem pretty much rock-steady, even shooting off-hand from a standing position. This morning, as an example, I was able to shoot a soda can at 75 yards with iron sights. I'm sure that for some shooters here, that is not an overly grand accomplishment, but for me, it certainly is. Prior to now, the best I could do reliably on a target that small was fifty yards at best, and I would normally set them out at 25 yards.

I was using a T/C Hawken .50 caliber with factory QLA muzzle, 70 grains of 777 and a 265 grain .429 Keith bullet in an unmentionable.

I wonder, has anyone else noticed better shooting with reduced sugar intake?

Dale, glad you’re getting these issues under control. It’s great you’re already seeing improvement. I can tell you this, if I hit a soda can at 75 yards with one of my .50s I’m going to throw a party!

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Dale, glad you’re getting these issues under control. It’s great you’re already seeing improvement. I can tell you this, if I hit a soda can at 75 yards with one of my .50s I’m going to throw a party!

Well, no guarantee that I'll be able to do this consistently, but just having the sights rock steady instead of wandering all over the place is encouraging. This morning I was not quite so confident and put targets out at between 30 and 50 yards. Here is a link to my 50 yard milk carton video: What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

Perhaps not as impressive as a 75-yard soda can, but it was plenty fun and I'm liking the steady sight picture

 

[tenngun]

I recently developed diabetes. Other than watching my sugar and carb intake, I am not undergoing any treatment, though I also have cancer and am being treated for that. Over the last week or so my shooting seems to have improved noticeably. Before, I had trouble steadying my sights on a target. Of late, I bring the sights into alignment on the target and they seem pretty much rock-steady, even shooting off-hand from a standing position. This morning, as an example, I was able to shoot a soda can at 75 yards with iron sights. I'm sure that for some shooters here, that is not an overly grand accomplishment, but for me, it certainly is. Prior to now, the best I could do reliably on a target that small was fifty yards at best, and I would normally set them out at 25 yards.

I was using a T/C Hawken .50 caliber with factory QLA muzzle, 70 grains of 777 and a 265 grain .429 Keith bullet in an unmentionable.

I wonder, has anyone else noticed better shooting with reduced sugar intake?

Do you have a blood sugar test kit?
If your blood glucose is around 85-95 you will be in a golden spot.
I’m not diabetic but use very little sugar, honey,maple syrup ect. I like savory and spicy. So keep your cakes and ice cream. Watch out for your fingers if they get too close to my tortilla chips and salsa.
But yes a candy bar or a couple of cookies will give me a hour of the shakes.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Do you have a blood sugar test kit?
If your blood glucose is around 85-95 you will be in a golden spot.
I’m not diabetic but use very little sugar, honey,maple syrup ect. I like savory and spicy. So keep your cakes and ice cream. Watch out for your fingers if they get too close to my tortilla chips and salsa.
But yes a candy bar or a couple of cookies will give me a hour of the shakes.

I have access to one, but I don't really use it. I get a blood test every couple of weeks as part of my cancer treatments and they test for blood sugar. If it is too high, my oncologist "yells" at me and I might have to skip a treatment session.

 

[tenngun]

I have access to one, but I don't really use it. I get a blood test every couple of weeks as part of my cancer treatments and they test for blood sugar. If it is too high, my oncologist "yells" at me and I might have to skip a treatment session.

Use it
It can save your life
Think of it as a seat belt, or not smoking when your loading

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Use it
It can save your life
Think of it as a seat belt, or not smoking when your loading

Cancer. No cure. Gonna die anyway. Diabetes doesn't scare me. I just don't consume much sugar anymore and life goes on... for a few more years anyway. I do miss my iced tea and my Dr. Pepper though.

 

[tenngun]

As we all
Live for today, tomorrow is promised to none.
Take joy in it today. May tge blessing of the maker of life be on you

 

[FishDFly]

Unsweeted tea.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Unsweeted tea.

Yech! Stevia is almost tollerable though.

 

[user 48679]

I have access to one, but I don't really use it. I get a blood test every couple of weeks as part of my cancer treatments and they test for blood sugar. If it is too high, my oncologist "yells" at me and I might have to skip a treatment session.

Please don't be dismissive of your oncologist's warnings.

I am also diabetic (since 1989), and have long ago learned the hard way that this silent disease will eventually effect body parts (feet/toes) & internal organs (heart, eyes, kidneys, etc) if not vigorously attacked with a combination of weight loss, diet controls & oral medications (until the progression inevitably leads to riding a needle and/or dialaysis)

 

[TDM]

Please watch that blood sugar Dale. As @Pietro said, things can get out of hand quickly.

 

[TraderVic]

Yech! Stevia is almost tollerable though.

Ditto..