Keeping diabetes at bay
Is that even possible?
I know many people who suffer from diabetes, especially Greeks. As a nation they tend to be prone to the illness. Some have it during childhood but the majority grow into it.
Who is at risk of diabetes?
Well, basically, everyone! I always thought that if you ate a lot of sugary foods then you might end up with diabetes. Boy, was I wrong! There are different causes of this illness and bad diet is just one of them.
- Heredity ~ diabetes is passed through the blood line, so if one or both of your parents have it you have a higher chance of getting it.
- Age ~ People can become diabetic at any age, but many start with diabetes after the age of 50.
- Bad diet ~ People who eat lots of unhealthy food and not enough fibre or protein may end up with diabetes
- Obesity/Overweight ~ Being overweight can cause diabetes.
- Lack of exercise ~ in studies people who didn't exercise at least three times a week were more at risk of becoming diabetic.
- Stress ~ this can cause diabetes too!
There are other causes but these are the most predominant.
Is it difficult to live with diabetes?
There are 2 types of diabetes, called Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 requires insulin, Type 2 can usually be controlled by diet.
The main causes of Type 1 are heredity and bad diet. Of Type 2 are age and obesity.
Neither Types of diabetes are fun, as I'm sure any diabetic can tell you. Diabetes can cause all sorts of problems within the body, none of which I would like to experience.
If you'll notice, apart from heredity and age; both of which we can do nothing about, the main causes of diabetes come from lifestyle choices. Choices which you make everyday. Now, I know that no-one would voluntarily choose to have diabetes but by choosing an unhealthy life you may be heading in that direction.
You can turn your life around, right now. There is no reason why you have to continue down the path you have chosen, up until now. It's never too late to start again!
Choose a healthier diet, one that contains plenty of fibre and good proteins. Remember the food pyramid you studied in school? Well, it's time to dust that off again. I happen to have a copy of it here.
Choose to lose weight, if you are very overweight, or maintain a healthy size. You know yourself just exactly what that is for you. Nobody is the same. I never judge myself by my weight because I exercise regularly, which means that I have a lot of muscle on my body. Muscle matches fat, pound for pound in weight but not in size. 1lb of fat can be the size of a football, whereas 1lb of muscle would be the size of 1lb of steak; much smaller! I have gone from a size 16 to a size 8, but I have not actually changed much in weight!
Choose to exercise at least three times a week. T-Tapp is ideal for people who are just starting to exercise again, or for those who are large in size and who need an exercise that is gentle on the joints, but that is effective and can create immediate inch loss. Aim to exercise at least three times a week, obviously you must work at your own pace.
Choose less stress! Sounds simple, doesn't it? Stress can cause a whole multitude of illnesses, none of which are good. Try to choose the least stressful option, or aim to enlist the help of others to help you. I have some more tips that you may find useful in my free 7 day programme. You can sign up for this immediately, it's at the top of the right hand side bar on this page.
There's no reason to put yourself at risk. All it takes is for you to start and look after yourself. Remind yourself that you are WORTH it! You deserve to be happy and healthy.
Choose a better, healthier you. Choose a life without diabetes!
It's never too late to make that change.