Get More Out Of Life While Managing Your Diabetes

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Please consider this free-reprint article written by:

C. Hall

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Article Title: Get More Out Of Life While Managing Your

Diabetes

Author: C. Hall

Word Count: 663

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When I was first diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of

21, I had not given the first thought to living a healthy

diabetic lifestyle. As far as I was concerned, a healthy

lifestyle was reserved only for fitness junkies and overweight

moms.

I didn't know squat about the benefits and overall happiness a

healthy lifestyle would lead to. I was perfectly content eating

frozen pizza, smoking cigarettes, and binge drinking on a

regular basis. After I was diagnosed with diabetes, I had a

lengthy discussion with my doctor that resulted in an epiphany,

" Everything I love is killing me! "

First, we'll define what I mean by healthy lifestyle. When I

asked the question, " What is a healthy lifestyle?” the common

answer seemed to be, " Don't smoke, don't drink, eat only

vegetables and protein, and make sure to exercise every day. "

My first thought was, " You can give that crap right back to the

birds. " I was 21, loved to party, and absolutely chock full of

testosterone.

The ideas, practices, and benefits a healthy lifestyle provided

sounded great for managing my diabetes, but I sure didn't like

the idea of my social life falling off the face of the planet.

Believing in the power of moderation, I made some compromises

with my disease:

1. Smoking

I quit smoking cigarettes and only smoked cigars on special

occasions such as bachelor parties, Super Bowls, or the birth

of my first child. That last part was a joke. After many years

of searching, special occasions are the only reason I can find

to put nicotine or smoke of any kind in your body.

2. Drinking

For me, this was a big one. I'm not really the type of guy that

likes to meet girls at church, and school was not really an

option for me, but drinking was all my friends and I did. As a

result, drinking alcohol (sadly enough) was a major component

of my social life. From that day forward, I laid down some

basic rules.

No liquor. Liquor causes severe instability in blood sugar

levels, and will cause serious problems. I stick only to beer

and wine with a maximum of three drinks. If you monitor your

sugar regularly and eat beforehand, you should be able to enjoy

a nice night out.

3. Eating

Of the areas available for improvement in my lifestyle, eating

was the easiest for me to adapt and overcome. When I learned

that protein had a minor effect on my sugar that was good news,

any hamburger and steak-loving American would be happy to hear

that, but the bad news was that French fries, baked potatoes,

and (my favorite) sweet potatoes were off limits. That meant I

had to learn to love vegetables.

From that point forward, I began cooking veggies with light

butter and cayenne pepper. I know that sounds odd, but I like

spicy food. As far as your diet is concerned, for the sake of

your happiness, find your favorite spices and seasonings and

begin experimenting with healthy foods.

4. Exercise

When it comes to exercising many people (including myself) do

not follow through for long enough to see substantial results.

Personally, I believe in living an active lifestyle instead of

becoming a fitness and free-weight junkie. What worked for me?

Basic exercises (lunges, squats, and crunches) in front of the

television every morning followed by a 15 minute walk.

Complying with the guidelines I listed above, I'm still able to

have a fun, active lifestyle while controlling my diabetes.

Finally, I need to say that I'm not a doctor, just a guy with

Type 1 Diabetes. The practices I listed worked for me to

maintain the young-adult lifestyle that I wanted. You may be

different, and understanding your own personality traits is

critical to successful moderation and control of your diabetes.

About The Author: C. Hall is an online business owner

and Type 1 Diabetic who runs many websites. For the latest

articles and news related to diabetes and the diabetic

lifestyle visit: http://www.diabetic-resources.com

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