A Diabetic Action Plan: While the medical profession argues about whether anyone can truly be considered cured of diabetes patients are often discovering that the best plan of action involves recruiting others.
Patients throughout America are looking at ways to manage their diabetes in a very proactive and informed way. If you are going to be successful in the control of your diabetes you will need to put together a group of individuals willing to help. This may include accountability partners, nutritionists, doctors, support groups and dieticians.
Sometimes the nutritionist and dietitian will be the same individual, but you will need to rely on them to help you come up with a meal and dietary plan that takes into account your needs and as many ‘wants’ as possible. You should have some control over what you eat, but a nutritionist can help you learn why certain foods are better choices.
If you take this first concept into your own hands you will likely find yourself failing and frustrated. Self-sufficiency is great for John Wayne movies, but it’s a horrible idea for anyone living with diabetes. The support you can find in others will be an incredible boost to your willpower and resolve.
You will likely be asked to lose weight, exercise more and eat better meals. You stand a much better chance of success if you have someone else willing to walk with you through the difficult changes diabetes can bring to your life.
Food labels are meant to be read – actively. A diabetic will need to reduce overall carbohydrates in their diet. You need to read labels to formulate a daily battle plan. Sugar is a refined carbohydrate, but it is not the only one. Eliminating sugar without counting carbs will not allow you to reach your self-managed diabetic goals.
Supplements are great, but look for more. Dieticians always prefer fresh whole foods to supplements and other pre assembled food options. When it comes to vegetables choose lots of dark rich colors. Vegetables that are lighter in color often have fewer beneficial nutrients to offer. The darker the better – the less refined the better.
Pay attention to how much you are eating. Protein is something we all need, but diabetics may need less than they think. A good rule of thumb is a portion size about the size of your palm. This is roughly 3-4 ounces of meat or fish. You should find the leanest cuts possible and then trim off any fat you may encounter. Lean fish should be considered a solid option at least twice a week.
Recent reports indicate intense exercise for short periods of time can help you remove excess blood sugar from your system. Three to four days a week you should consider 4-8 separate bursts (30 seconds per burst) of physical activity on an exercise bike, elliptical or treadmill. You can improve cardiovascular health and lose weight by implementing longer, but less strenuous physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day.
Conditions of excess weight do not generally happen overnight so you should not expect immediate results even if it seems difficult at times turn the tide. You will need to cheer over small victories and invite your support team to cheer with you.
In the end maybe it doesn’t matter so much whether doctors believe diabetes can be reversed. What matters is that you stop the disease in its tracks and demonstrate by your lifestyle choices that you do not want it to advance any further.
