Diabetes Management May Come in Steps: Jean Pillat was 70 years old when he learned he had Type 2 diabetes. He survived cancer and was living with the effects of arthritis, but the diabetes diagnosis was different.
According to AmericaOnTheMove.org Jean took the diagnosis as a wakeup call, “He began eating healthy meals. He carefully monitored his blood sugar, which enabled him to learn how his body responds to certain foods. Jean also modified his physical activity routines. Initially, he took up swimming. But when a back injury prevented him from continuing, he started walking.”
At the time of diagnosis Jean weighed 325 pounds. The weight combined with arthritis caused Jean to say, “My main challenge when I left the house was to find a handicap parking space.”
AmericaOnTheMove.org indicates, “The lifestyle changes Jean has adopted have helped him lose around 60 pounds. And now only his grandchildren use the scooter when they’re playing games in the backyard. For a while he tried to sell it, but having the scooter is another source of motivation — just seeing it reminds Jean that he doesn’t want to use it again.”
Jean has found that steady and consistent walking has opened up a new world for him. He admits there are days he’d rather not walk, but in the end he affirms, “If I don’t walk, it feels like I’m cheating myself.”
Jean understands there is an awareness that must be present in order for control of any chronic disease to be effective. He told AmericaOnTheMove.org, “You don’t get rid of them, you control them,” when talking about high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes.
For the Type 2 diabetic control begins with education. Blood glucose must be monitored to correctly identify what immediate alterations need to be made. A diet needs to be put in place with an understanding of what certain foods can do to blood glucose levels.
Jean also understands the value of motivation and exercise. America On The Move is an organization dedicated to encouraging individuals to use a pedometer to monitor their every step. Jean works to increase his total step count and uses the digital display to motivate him to work a little harder to reach established goals.
The site features cyber trails that participants can use to push themselves. They may only be able to walk 3,000-5,000 steps a day, or they might be able to walk more than 14,000. The site features a trail that they should be able to complete in around 40 days with a log in location to track daily step totals.
Members can ask for regular emails that provide additional motivational tools. They can also request a ‘buddy’ that can contact them by email to encourage them and help them remain accountable to their walking goals.
The site promotes small, but meaningful change because they realize most individuals feel ill equipped to manage significant and far-reaching change immediately. The site offers tips on ways to burn an extra 100 calories per day along with ways to decrease the total amount of food eaten each day. In many instances the extra 100 calories burned may require as little as 2,000 extra steps walked per day, which could be accomplished by taking your pet out for a short walk after dinner.
Jean Pillat has learned a lot about diabetes and now insists on being the cook in his home. He knows what is best for him and concludes, “If I go a little overboard, I’m only shooting myself in the foot… I can’t blame my wife!”
