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The problem with worrying about living with diabetes is that it
wastes time. For many people, they have been living with diabetes or
pre-diabetes for years prior to being diagnosed. Living with
diabetes can be dangerous if you are unaware you have the disease,
but once you know you have diabetes, living with it doesn’t have to
be difficult.
Living with diabetes does require changing your lifestyle.
Luckily, the changes are not as drastic today as they were in the
past; the dietary requirements are not so restrictive and you can
still enjoy some of the treats and snacks you are used to. Alcohol
is even allowed, when used in moderation.
The area where the most change is required for the average person
with diabetes is in physical fitness. You are expected to start
exercising, even if you are not trying to lose weight. Exercise is
important not only for burning calories but for getting the cells to
use the insulin that your body does make.
What has happened with the onset of diabetes is that your cells
have become resistant to the effect of the hormone insulin. Insulin
is necessary for the cells to absorb and use the sugar in your
bloodstream. Reducing body fat is probably the best way to decrease
insulin resistance without using oral medication.
Most people have to start slowly and that is fine. Studies have
shown that adding as little as 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise
such as walking or riding a bike 5 days a week is enough to make a
difference. As time goes by and you start to see and feel the health
benefits, you may elect to increase the amount of exercise you do.
Living with diabetes is not the end of world and, as some would
remind you, it sure beats the alternative. The longer you can avoid
oral medications, the better off you are. Altering your diet and
adding exercise are the first step in being able to control your
blood sugar and have an effect on your own future.
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