It takes work to manage your type 2
diabetes. Staying healthy also means making healthy habits in the little things
you do every day, including what you eat and how active you are.
Start by avoiding these common
mistakes.
1. Not Taking Control of Your Condition
Your medical team is essential. But you're
not in the doctor's office every day.
“You are your own doctor 99.9% of the
time,” says Andrew Ahmann, MD. He's director of the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes
Health Center at Oregon Health & Science University.
You’re the one in charge, so it’s up to you
to watch your diet, exercise, and take your medication on schedule.
You can make better decisions about how to
track and manage your diabetes by understanding how the disease works. Sign up
for a class or a support group on managing diabetes.
“Not enough patients seek them out, and not
enough doctors send their patients to them," Ahmann says. "Not only
do these resources offer essential information, but they also bring together
people who have the same challenges, giving them a place to meet and talk with
each other."
2. Expecting Too Much Too Soon
It's a big step to shift your eating and
exercise habits. You need to give it time to see results and for it to feel
permanent.
“Most people expect something dramatic is
going to happen right away,” says UCLA endocrinologist Preethi Srikanthan, MD.
“But it has taken them a decade or two to get to this point, and it will take a
while for them to even get to that initial 5% to 10% reduction in weight.”
To make a lasting change, take small steps,
Ahmann says. If you try to do more than you can handle, you might quit.
Before you start a new exercise program,
talk with your doctor, especially if you aren’t active now. They can help you
set goals and plan a routine that’s safe and effective.
3. Working Out Alone
“One error that people make when it comes
to exercise is that they try to do it without help from other people,” Ahmann
says.
Spouses, partners, friends, and family
members make great exercise buddies. They also are terrific cheerleaders. The same is true for your diet. It's easier
to make changes when you have a friend or relative who's also on board.
4. Neglecting Other Problems
Constant stress and depression can really
get to you. It's easy to feel too discouraged to deal with your diabetes. That
can make matters worse. “You need to recognize depression and work
with it,” Srikanthan says.
Depression and stress can also have a bad
effect on blood sugar levels. Constant stress may boost hormones that make it
harder for insulin to do its job. Doing “anything to reduce stress will improve
your blood sugar," Ahmann says.
Exercise helps relieve stress, and there’s
evidence that meditation and massage will benefit blood sugar levels, he says.
5. Misunderstanding and Misusing
Medications
Ahmann says many of his patients think
medications are more powerful than diet and exercise. But in many cases, type 2
diabetes can be controlled by a combination of a healthy diet and regular
exercise without the need for medication.
For many people, medication can be helpful. Ahmann sees one mistake that stands out.
“It’s surprising how many people miss
doses,” he says. That's a risky mistake, so tell your doctor. He might be able
to change your dosing schedule to one that better suits you.
6. Poor Food Choices
When it comes to food and blood sugar, the
big mistake is not the single candy bar that you couldn’t resist, Srikanthan
says. It’s ongoing unhealthy eating habits -- what you eat over and over again
-- that have a worse effect on your blood sugar.
“People think it’s a one-time diversion,
but no, it’s a consistent problem that affects your test results,” she says.
The two biggest hurdles, she says, are
calories and carbohydrates. You have to control both to keep your blood sugar
level steady. Keep a food diary to keep track of what you
eat and drink, and always read nutrition labels so you know what’s in the food
you choose. Not eating on a regular schedule is another
common food mistake. Make time for breakfast and eat regular meals during the
day, so you don’t lose control and overeat in the evening.
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