Thriving with Diabetes

You can thrive despite having diabetes.

It’s natural to feel that the diagnosis of diabetes is a real curse. If your diagnosis is new, it’s alright to give yourself time to grieve and process. But don’t stay in that space too long.

In the case of diabetes, these lessons include adopting the healthy lifestyle factors that our bodies need. You know, all the stuff you heard before you were diagnosed: eating well, sleeping, managing stress, exercising.

As someone who has had a lot of health challenges myself, I really get it when it comes to feeling a little “health punished”. Even though I followed a strict health regimen daily, guess what? My health still crumbled. Why? Because I still wasn’t hearing what my body needed. After taking time to learn and listen to what it needed, and work closely with healthcare providers, I’m a million times healthier.

Human nature is such that we’ll usually take the path of least resistance. We get lazy and stop taking care of our health.

Health problems are really great teachers in disguise.

When we humble ourselves to the reality before us, our problems gift us with lessons that we might not have otherwise accepted.

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The silver lining of health problems is that they keep us focused on taking excellent care of our God Pods.

In today’s podcast, we’ll hear from Mary Ann Hodorowicz on how to thrive with diabetes. As a seasoned Certified Diabetes Educator, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and mentor to many dietitians nationwide, Mary Ann coined the term DIABETES LIFESAVERS to help people improve the quality and quantity of their lives by learning how to manage their diabetes

Follow Mary Ann’s advice for diabetes, and you literally could save your own life!

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DIABETES LIFESAVERS, as presented by MaryAnn Hodorowicz:

Decrease stress: stress causes your liver to dump its stored sugar into blood, causing blood sugar to increase.

Involve family in your diabetes care

Acquire ongoing support (support outside of home)

Bring blood glucose values to Health Care team

Exercise regularly

• Burns blood sugar (gasoline to human body) and calories, reduces blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol, body fat, risk of stroke
• 1 in 3 people with diabetes will have heart attack or stroke
• Link exercise to something you’re going to do anyway, or something fun. For example, move while watching TV, walk to the store, etc.

Take medication as prescribed

• Forgetting to take?, Ask family members to remind you, , set alarm, put pills in a pillbox labeled with the days of the week and times of day,
• Having side effects? Talk to your doctor and pharmacist as soon as possible. There are many different medications to help you meet your goals!

Ease into changes slowly

• KISS: keep It Simple, Short, Sweet
• Simple changes that accumulate slowly every day (drops in the bucket) produce the best results

Self-monitor your blood sugar regularly (use a new lancet each time so it is comfortable each time )

• Blood sugar values are evaluated by your health care team to see if changes are needed in your medication plan, eating plan, etc.
• You can also evaluate your blood sugar values to see if changes need to be made in your eating, exercise plan, medication, etc. on a daily basis.

Lose excess weight – the slower the better in terms of keeping the weight off long term

Identify healthy coping strategies

• Talk to your doctor if you think you are depressed or anxious about your diabetes. Help is readily available.
• Look for ways to chip away at the problems you have control over that are interfering you’re your diabetes control (example: packing a healthier lunch to take to work; fitting exercise into you busy schedule, etc.).
• Join a support group.
• Participate in online diabetes blogs and Twitter™ chats.
• Talk to family and friends and do ask for their help and support.

Fit relaxation in daily

• Schedule the time! Relaxation is part of your healthy living prescription!
• Relaxation de-stresses the body, decreases stress hormones, increases feel good hormonesSelect what works for you: yoga, music, prayer, TV, hobby, talking to friends and family, etc.

Eat well – you deserve to take good care of yourself!

• Carbohydrate foods have to be controlled, not eliminated.
• Increase dietary fiber (good “F” word) by including fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your meals and snacks.
• Do eat lean protein…about the size of your palm, cooked weight, twice a day.
• Do eat and drink low fat dairy foods as part of your “carb budget”.
• Focus on vegetable fats such as avocado, canola oil, olive oil, peanut butter, etc.
• Decrease saturated fats, such as fats butter, cream, lard and meat fat. –
• Eat meals at regular times as much as possible.
• Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of water and other sugar-free fluids through the day.

Sleep well every evening

•       Getting a good night’s sleep is very important to help control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress, anxiety and fatigue , keep your immune system strong and help you think clearly.

Assemble sick day/travel day diabetes kit

• Always keep a diabetes kit in your car and in your take-on suitcase when traveling…and have one fully stocked for times when you are sick.
• Your kit should contain: your blood sugar testing supplies, diabetes medication (not expired), bottled water, glucose tablets, snack bars, dried fruit, crackers and other non-perishable carbohydrate foods . . . items needed to help you keep your blood sugar in good control when away from home or when you are too sick to do your everyday activities. You never know if you’ll be stuck in a snowstorm or in a traffic jam!.

Visit your healthcare team regularly

• Do see your physician, diabetes educator, dietitian, dentist, podiatrist and eye doctor regularly.
• Medicare Part B pays for:
  • Medical nutrition therapy (MNT).
  • Diabetes self-management training (DSMT).
  • Intensive behavior therapy for obesity.

Most private healthcare plans also pay for for these benefits.Educate yourself on diabetes care

• Type 1 – autoimmune disease, body stops pancreas from producing insulin. Taking insulin is required. Eating healthy is essential.
• Type 2 – body isn’t producing enough insulin (fatigued pancreas) and cells aren’t accepting insulin (resistance), liver releases sugar into blood

Reduce your risks

• Quit smoking.
• Control your alcohol intake.
• Wear shoes all the time to avoid cuts, injuries and infections.
• Wear sunscreen
• Maintain regular dental care (cavities can make your blood sugar increase ) and high blood sugar can lead to teeth and gum problems (gingivitis, etc)..See your eye doctor regularly
• Get a flu shot annually
• Get a pneumonia vaccine.

Solve problems that can lead to low and very high blood sugar

• Learn how to prevent and treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and very high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), as both are very serious conditions.

Today’s Guest Expert:

Mary Ann Hodorowicz is a RD, CDE and Certified Endocrinology Coder with a MBA in marketing. She is a consultant, speaker, writer and trainer for the health, food and pharmaceutical industries in nutrition, wellness, diabetes and insurance reimbursement.

www.maryannhodorowicz.com

 

 

Today’s Guest Expert:

Mary Ann Hodorowicz is a RD, CDE and Certified Endocrinology Coder with a MBA in marketing. She is a consultant, speaker, writer and trainer for the health, food and pharmaceutical industries in nutrition, wellness, diabetes and insurance reimbursement.

www.maryannhodorowicz.com

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