A diagnosis of diabetes can really derail your lifestyle. All of a sudden, there are a lot of new things to learn and many changes that have to take place. Where do you start?
The most important job at hand is to get your blood glucose levels as close to normal as you can. Uncontrolled blood glucose can cause a lot of complications down the road, and the sooner your levels are lower, the better shape you'll be in to prevent the complications.
Check your blood glucose often. Usually a good rule of thumb is to check first thing in the morning, 1-2 hours after meals and before going to bed. Why check so often? Knowing your levels will tell you a lot about how your body reacts to food and exercise. Keep a log of your levels to help you get the big picture. A log is also useful to bring to a nutritionist or diabetes educator. They can help you plan your meals and activities with greater accuracy and efficiency if they have a record of your personal blood glucose level history.
Speaking of meal plans, make sure that you follow yours as closely as possible. Regular, balanced meals with the same amounts of proteins, carbs and fats everyday, can help you regulate your blood sugars and keep them from fluctuating.
Make sure that you get some kind of exercise everyday. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive. Even a 30 minute daily walk is beneficial.
Your doctor will usually prescribe medication to control your blood sugar. Take it as prescribed. Sometimes, oral medications take a few weeks to start to show consistent results. Give it time and make the changes in diet and exercise. It's tough at first when everything is new, but after a while, your new lifestyle will become a way of life.
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