Get more out of life while managing your diabetes

Get more out of life while managing your diabetes

When I was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 21, living a healthy diabetic lifestyle wasn't my first thought. For me, a healthy lifestyle was only reserved for fitness junkies and overweight moms.

I didn't realize the benefits and overall happiness that a healthy lifestyle would bring. I was perfectly content eating frozen pizza, smoking cigarettes, and binge drinking regularly. After I was diagnosed with diabetes, I had a long discussion with my doctor that led to a revelation: “Everything I love is killing me!”

First, let's define what I mean by healthy lifestyle. When I asked the question, “What is a healthy lifestyle?” The general 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 might as well give this crap back to the birds.” I was 21, loved to party and was full of testosterone.

The ideas, practices, and benefits of a healthy lifestyle sounded great for managing my diabetes, but I didn't like the idea of ​​my social life falling off the planet. I believed in the power of moderation and made some compromises with my illness:

1. Smoking

I stopped smoking cigarettes and only smoked cigars on special occasions like 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 introduce nicotine or smoke of any kind into your body.

2. Drink

For me that was a big deal. I'm not really the type of guy that likes meeting girls at church and school wasn't an option for me, but drinking was all my friends and I did. As a result, drinking alcohol was (unfortunately enough) an important part of my social life. From that day on, I laid down some ground rules.

No liquor. Alcohol causes severe instability in blood sugar levels and leads to serious problems. I stick to beer and wine only with a maximum of three drinks. If you monitor your sugar regularly and eat beforehand, you should be able to have a nice evening.

3. Food

Of the areas available to improve my lifestyle, food was the easiest for me to adapt and overcome. When I learned that protein had a small impact on my sugar, which was good news, every hamburger and steak-loving American would be happy about it, 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 on, I started cooking vegetables with light butter and cayenne pepper. I know this sounds strange, but I like spicy food. When it comes to your diet, for the sake of your happiness, find your favorite spices and seasonings and experiment with healthy foods.

4. Exercise

When it comes to training a lot of people (including me), you don't follow it long enough to get substantial results. Personally, I believe in living an active lifestyle rather than becoming a fitness and free weight junkie. What worked for me? Basic exercises (lunges, squats and crunches) every morning in front of the TV, followed by a 15-minute walk.

By following the guidelines listed above, I can still live a fun and active lifestyle while controlling my diabetes. Finally, I have to say that I'm not a doctor, just a guy with type 1 diabetes. The practices I listed have worked for me to maintain the young adult lifestyle I desire. You may be different and understanding your own personality traits is crucial to successfully moderating and controlling your diabetes.

Inspired by Brandon Hall