| Dealing with Diabetes | |
One of the most prevalent health risks of being overweight is a tendency towards type 2, or, adult onset diabetes. I recently spoke to two people who have been diagnosed with this form of diabetes and who are managing it with lifestyle modification. Both Jeffrey and Susan* are also dealing with weight problems and the good news is they seem to have found that what they are doing to treat their diabetes is helping with their weight loss and vice versa. Here's what they had to say:
Q: What has been the most difficult part of living with diabetes for you?
A: Susan: The hardest part for me was giving up my favorite foods. I stand in grocery store aisles and practically drool over the things I can't have. It wasn't so bad at first, but I've had a hard time lately. I keep reminding myself it's just food, but sometimes it's really hard. I eat a sugar free cookie or candy when I really want something.
A: Jeffrey: I had a hard time at first, too. Nobody said this was going to be easy. But I feel so much better now... better than I did back when I used to have poor eating habits.
Q: Have there been any health benefits in your life thanks to the changes you made because of your diabetes?
A: Jeffrey: Definitely for me. I've really needed to lose some weight for a long time. In fact, my weight gain contributed to my development of diabetes, as it often does.
I lost ten pounds in a month and a half. Mostly that first month and a half all I did was cut out soda pop and that's how much weight I lost. Then again, I can't stand diet soda so I've been drinking lots and lots of water. I've heard that helps with weight loss.
Q: I've heard that too, Jeffrey. Drink up! Susan, can you think of other health benefits?
A: They're not really tangible, but they're there. For example, I know I am having to pay attention to my body a lot more now and to what I put in it. I never did before.
Continue to Part Two >>
* The interview subjects asked that I only use their first names in this article. They did not want to be identified by their full names for the sake of privacy.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical advice.
Please consult your physician if you have symptoms of diabetes.
