Live Well with Type 2 Diabetes

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you will have to make many changes to your current lifestyle which in the first place, possibly contributed to your condition.  To make the transition from unhealthy to healthy easier, we suggest the following actions:

• Learn about diabetes and understand your condition.

 

You will be able to manage your condition better if you are well-informed. This will also help you to be prepared with questions or concerns about diabetes that you want to ask your doctor. Listing them before the appointment will help you.

• Accept your feelings.  

Diabetes brings with it negative feelings such as fear and guilt and worry about what to eat or drink. When you see a sweet food do you get negative feelings about it? Then acknowledge the negative feeling and stay away from the food. Do not ignore the feeling and indulge. It can raise your blood glucose level .Worrying about what to eat can also be stressful. Stress does not help you maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

• Maintain a balanced point of view. Don't allow diabetes to control you,

control the disease instead. Continue to do the same healthy things you enjoy while cutting out the unhealthy ones.

HEALTHY…

NOT HEALTHY…

• Be practical. 

Begin with small goals that you can meet easily when making healthy changes to your lifestyle because you are sure to break rigid ones.

• Be creative.  

While making changes to your lifestyle, try out new recipes, different types of foods or activities.

•  Develop a strong support network.   

Tell your family and friends about how they can help you. A strong support system helps you to stick to your regimen and maintain healthier blood sugar levels. Join a diabetes support group or create one. You can exchange notes with other people with diabetes.