Having diabetes puts one on a life-long journey. The path one takes depends on how, what, where and when, one sees their life with diabetes. Having been hit on the side of the head with the news that I had Type 2 diabetes, I had two options of which direction to head:
Immediately change my life to embrace all that was, and still is required to live a better quality of life, or;
Be like some folks I know who have said, life will go on and they will live their life throwing their Type 2 diabetes down on the beach.
I am a walking, breathing, living example that living with Type 2 diabetes sucks. But, to live a quality of life, I decided to “suck it up buttercup.” I originally wrote, “decided I had to ...” But, I do not have to do anything I do not want to and neither do you.
That is where Damndiabetes.ca comes in; we can help you decide and help keep you on the path you decide you want to take. We do not deal in nebulous suggestions; we dig deep to provide you with options. The options depend upon your individual circumstances and how your body reacts to different foods.
For example, and who can explain it; I can eat cheesecake, but not ice cream. Some fruits send my glucose readings to the stratosphere and others have no impact. At Damndiabetes.ca we take all that we have learned and work with our clients to help them live a better quality of life living with diabetes.
Do our plans work? I lead by example. At the beginning, my A1C averaged 8.3. It is now 6.6 and I am not taking any medicine. All brought about by managing my diabetes diet, shedding a few Kgs and riding my stationary bike every day.
Living with diabetes sucks but with proper management, it is possible to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Here are some of the things we look at when working with our clients.
We work with our clients to develop an appropriate monitoring program for blood sugar levels. Some suggest that monitoring 1 – 2 times per day is sufficient. It is all what makes you feel comfortable. For me, I use a constant glucose monitor and also the “old” prick the finger method.
Why both? The constant glucose monitor gives me a daily graph of my glucose sugar, providing valuable information between readings. The prick the finger method provides a much more accurate reading. I have found the average difference between the two methods is approximately 14%. If, for example, the finger prick reading is 7.0, the constant monitor could be as high as high as 8.0. Some may suggest that is not significant, but what if your finger prick is 9.5? A 14% increment would put your reading at 10.8.
How can one manage their diabetes treatment without accurate information? One cannot, and personally, I find an average of a 14% difference to be just too much. So, what are your options to choose from?
Decide what kind of life to lead living with diabetes. At Damndiabetes.ca we can help you identify your options, speak to the impacts and help develop a diabetes treatment plan that works for you.
With a plan in place, you need to be able to monitor the impacts. At Damndiabetes.ca we can help you develop a top-notch monitoring plan, required to know if your treatment plan is doing what it is supposed to do – lower your blood sugar.
Food is one of the major factors for impacting blood sugar. You have to decide what you want out of your life, and then we can get to work to help you develop a appropriate diabetes food plan. And, this is where the “fun comes in.” Tweaking, testing and more tweaking, and after a while your diabetes food plant can be set.
This is what one “authoritarian” suggests about following a healthy diabetes meal plan:
A healthy diet is essential for managing diabetes. Focus on eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated and trans fats.”
I am surprised. They left out the kitchen sink. How can anyone determine a healthy diabetes meal plan from the above? One cannot. And that is why at Damndiabetes.ca, we work closely with our clients to make sense of all of this. Just as an example, I tried some fresh fruit tonight. My blood sugar spiked from 6.5 to 12.5. – so much for following their advice to eat fruit.
Exercise regularly: I have an exercise bike that I use in 15 minute intervals, or just go for a walk. The more options one has for exercising, the more one is apt to stick to it.
Take medication as prescribed, although, our goal at Damndiabetes.ca is to help our clients shed the medication. A word of abundant caution; Please do not skip doses or stop taking medication without consulting with your doctor.
Manage stress: Easier said than done. I can suggest, from experience, having diabetes can cause a lot of stress. Just the frustration of having Type 2 diabetes, to trying to find the best foods to eat. Let us at Damndiabetes.ca help you with specific strategies for managing our stress.
Maintain good sleep habits. What is that? Four hours? Eight hours? Most people would not want to follow my sleep pattern, nor should they. At Damndiabetes.ca, we help you design sleep habits that fit your lifestyle and your mind.
Get regular check-ups: Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are important for managing your diabetes. I am extremely fortunate; I have a diabetes specialist who has given me his personal cell phone number and periodically checks in on me. At minimum of once per month we spend an hour together reviewing my data and tests. The benefit? It has allowed me to go “food planning” for my Type 2 diabetes control and with our help at Damndiabetes.ca, you can do it too.
Conclusion:
Sad to say, managing your body and mind for Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong process. It is, however, entirely up to you to define that process. And it is one that gives you a life, or one that gives you a better quality of life living with Type 2 diabetes.
It is your decisions, and we at Damndiabetes.ca are here to help you implement and manage a Type 2 diabetes plan that suits your decision. We can make it easier for you and in fact, we will bring a smile to your face. You will thank us; and your family will thank us. We make it better for everyone.
Take your first step and call us at Damndiabetes.ca. We are here to help and will happily respond to any of your questions.
Best wishes from all of us at Damndiabetes.ca
Wayne Drury was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes more than one year. He quickly discovered there was scant diabetes information providing a roadmap to a better quality of life living with diabetes.
With his passion for learning, helping and providing Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trust (E-A-T) to the diabetes community, Damndiabetes began. A boutique firm in Vancouver, they live and breathe the consequences of treating diabetes daily. If you wish help with your diabetes management, are frustrated and have nowhere to turn, call on Damndiabetes.ca and experience their EAT today.
Disclaimer of Medical Advice: Statements and opinions expressed on this Website do not constitute medical advice or recommendations. You should not rely on any information in such posts or comments to replace consultations and decisions with qualified healthcare professionals.
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