Managing Type 2 Diabetes
When it comes to managing type 2 diabetes, and managing it well, there are 4 key golden rules that must be followed.
The first golden rule is to ask as many questions as you can of those that are ‘in the know’. You need to keep asking questions of the professionals until you fully understand what it is you have to do. If it means making an appointment with a dietitian, or doctor make sure you get the most out of the session by writing down all the questions you might have before the appointment, so that you come away fully aware of the situation. If you happen to prescribed certain medications, don’t be afraid to ask about it, how and when it should be taken. Find out as much as you need to, to make yourself comfortable with your situation
The second golden rule is keeping your blood glucose levels under control. This involves eating a healthy sensible diet of mostly raw fruit and vegetables, avoiding highly processed foods, pastries, fried foods, cakes, pies, soda, and alcohol and the like. Exercising regularly to help utilize some of the blood glucose, and monitor your blood glucose levels whenever you can.
The third golden rule is to lose any excessive weight you are carrying. Make it a priority to bring your weight down to the correct weight range for your height and shape. Once you are at a healthy weight, be aware of the foods you eat, and the exercise you do, and try and keep things in balance in your life. Focus on choosing quality foods, lower in fat that will nourish your body. You need to remember that we need to eat food to live, not live to eat food.
The final golden rule is to be as physically active as possible. Considering obviously your age, general health, and your ability to exercise, it is important to maintain a regular form of exercise whether it be walking to your local shops, cycling, swimming a few laps at a local pool, or power walking, there are many exercises that can be done. If you’re physically able enough, then lifting some weights will help maintain (or build) some muscle mass which will all help utilize some of the excess blood glucose levels.
Maintaining good type 2 diabetes control is essential to minimize the damage high blood sugar can do to your body. It’s not rocket science, but from the time become diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic, it becomes important to take a concerted and focussed awareness of most things you eat and do in life. Having type 2 diabetes is definitely a life changing disease, but it needn’t be a life sentence, because it really does provide the opportunity for you to start living a healthy, fulfilling life.
