Managing type 2 diabetes requires a lot of effort, including daily chores such as diet and activity. Do you know what common misconceptions and practices people with diabetes have?
Can’t control yourself
The patient’s health care team is critical. But patients can’t be in the medical office every day. 99.9% of the time you are your own doctor, in charge, and should be watching to make sure you are eating, exercising, and taking your medications as planned. By understanding the pathogenesis, you can make better decisions about how to track and manage your diabetes. Attend diabetes management classes or support groups that not only provide essential information, but also bring together people facing the same dilemma so that they can talk to each other.
Expecting too much, expecting too much too soon
Changing your diet and exercising is an important step, and it takes time to see results. Most people think miracles happen quickly, but it will take 10 or 20 years to get there, and even losing 5-10% of your initial body weight will take a while. To make lasting changes, you need to keep your feet on the ground. If you set goals that you can’t accomplish, you may end up stopping halfway. Before starting a new exercise program, consult your doctor, especially if you are not very active now. Your doctor can help you set goals and develop an exercise program that is safe and effective.
Exercising alone
One mistake people make when exercising is trying to do it unassisted. Spouses, partners, friends and family members are great workout partners and they make great cheerleaders. The same is true for diet, and you are more likely to make changes when you have friends to support you.
Overlooking other issues
Constant stress and depression can really make it easier to get discouraged when dealing with diabetes. Depression and stress can also have an adverse effect on blood sugar levels. Ongoing stress may increase hormones that make it more difficult for insulin to work. You need to recognize depression and work with it. More exercise can help relieve stress, and meditation and massage are beneficial for keeping blood sugar levels normal.
Misconceptions and medication misuse
Many patients believe that medications are more helpful than diet and exercise. However, in many cases, type 2 diabetes can be managed with a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise without medication. For many people, medications can be helpful, and you need to tell your doctor about your own condition and ask him or her to adjust the dosing regimen to your situation. Don’t use the wrong dose, which can be dangerous.
Bad food choices
The biggest mistake is not the irresistible single candy, but the persistence of unhealthy eating habits. Eating it over and over again can have a huge impact on blood sugar. Calories and carbohydrates are the hardest to control, but you must learn to control them to stabilize blood sugar levels. Keep a food diary to record what you eat and drink, and read nutrition labels often so you know what nutrients are in the foods you choose. Not eating on time is another common eating mistake. Make time for breakfast and eat lunch on time so you don’t overeat in the evening.