Living With Diabetes
Receiving the diagnosis of diabetes from your doctor can be scary and overwhelming. Many questions arise. Will you have to test your blood daily? How will the disease affect your diet? Can you still lead a healthy life living with diabetes? Thankfully, there are steps that you can take toward managing the disease and maintaining a healthy lifestyle despite the diagnosis.
Take Control Of Your Well Being
Living with diabetes is not a death sentence. The effects of the disease depend greatly on the attitude and actions of the individual who has been diagnosed. The key to managing diabetes is to maintain a healthy diet, engage in regular exercise, and monitor glucose levels. By knowing your body and recognizing the signals it gives, you will be able to get a handle on the disease and go about your daily life as normal.
Develop A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet can help a diabetic lose weight and maintain healthy glucose levels. It’s important to develop a well balanced diet. This means that each meal should contain a mix of whole grains, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. Keep carbs in check, as they will greatly affect glucose levels. You should also get a lesson in proper portion size. The portions that most of us experience at restaurants are so exaggerated that preparing a meal at home can be tricky, as we find ourselves with a distorted image of what the portion size should be. Finally, be sure to plan meals near the same time each day and coordinate those meals with any medications you may be taking.
If you are having issues with planning and sticking to a healthy diet, consult your physician. He or she should be able to give you a recommendation of a local dietician who can help you make a plan that works for your lifestyle.
Engage In Physical Activity
One side effect of diabetes is often pain in the legs, knees, and feet. The pain may be caused by poor blood circulation. To increase circulation and to get your muscles warmed up and working well, it’s important to get frequent exercise. You don’t have to jump in with an hour long cardio class at the gym, but you can slowly build up to longer and more intense workouts.
Start slow. Try going for walks with a friend each evening. Choose to take the stairs, rather than an elevator. Try low impact workouts at the gym and consider taking some fitness classes that take place in the water. Water exercises will put less pressure on your joints.
Know Your Medications
If you have been prescribed a medication for your diabetes, understand what the medication does, how to use it properly, and when you need to take it. Ask about side effects that may occur. Follow the instructions properly for taking the medication, as well for storing it. Stick with a schedule to ensure that you’re taking the medication at the proper time each day and to prevent missing a dose.