Month after month and year after year you struggle with
checking your blood sugar, taking your medication properly, eating the right
foods, exercising enough, and staying away from nights that undo all your two
steps forward.
You’re a perfectly smart individual, completely capable of
doing what needs to be done. You read about how people with type 1 and
type 2
diabetes do amazing things and quickly realize that some of
your excuses fall a little short. You can’t figure out why you aren’t able to
manage your diabetes well even though you have the tools and resources you need
with which to do it.
Besides, diabetes is just one of a bunch of other problems
you have. You too are dealing with relationships and work and finances.
But some people with diabetes are doing well and you wonder
if you could be one of them. Deep down you know you could. You just need…something…
Now I don’t know you so I’m only going to ask you to
consider the possibility that perhaps, mostly what needs to change
are your surroundings.
Your surroundings would include any people, places, or
things in your proximity.
The People You Surround Yourself With
Let’s start with people. If you’re an adult you probably have a choice regarding who you spend your time with. Are these quality people? Do they treat you well or poorly? Are they negative? Do they manage to bring you down with their words or actions? Do they abuse themselves and do things you don’t respect?
You might first try telling the people in your life how you feel and what you would prefer from them. If they can’t do any different and are only helping to pull you down, you’ve got to let them go. Your diabetes will eventually destroy your health if you don’t manage it and it won’t help blaming anyone in the end. Not when you get to decide who to spend your time with.
Where I come from there is a saying that says, “Better no company, than bad company”.
Try being a person who is just, honest, hardworking, and virtuous. You’ll alienate the wrong people and attract the right ones. Those qualities will also be major boosts to your arsenal for managing diabetes.
The Places You Live and Work
Now for places. Do you hate where you live or work? If so, are you working on a plan that will slowly get you out of there? It may take 5 years (as it did for me to leave a job I hated) but you’ve got to at least lay out your plan and take steps toward it. We spend a lot of time where we live and work so, again, if that is what brings you down then work towards getting that obstacle out of your way.
Don’t despair if things seem impossible. They always do–especially when we are feeling overwhelmed. Just start writing down what you want and the steps you think you should take to get there. Try to be calm, daydream a bit, get creative, and figure out your escape.
Talk to a loved one about what you are trying to do. Maybe you can get some support. Perhaps someone you trust could also help give you feedback about what you want and why. Go to a rational thinker, not someone who will give you emotional advise, which is great for some things but terrible for your life’s practical maneuvers which require you to be wise.
The Things You Own, Which Own You
There is much value in cleaning up our possessions in a way that will minimize anxiety and stress and maximize efficiency and value. Have you heard of Marie Kondo, the Japanese tidying guru? Her book may not be for everyone but I dare say she is on to something. She recommends owning only what we all need and love.
You know how most people love going to hotels? Well, I spent the last few years staying in dozens of them–three and four-star hotels. And what I discovered was that they are all pretty much terrible. No, really. They are dusty, mildewy, smelly, and the only thing actually going for them is that they are minimalist and tidy.
So when you and I first step in we go into “spa brain” where we get a sense of peace and relaxation even though we are walking on a carpet that contains blood, semen, and urine. Again, no, seriously. A friend contracted MRSA from walking barefoot in a very nice New York City hotel and spent many weeks in a hospital.
Now what if we could come home and feel “spa brain” every day? Don’t you think that would help you stay focused and more relaxed on what you need to do to maintain your healthy habits?
The key is to strip your belongings of things you don’t love, as Kondo recommends and to only keep something if you truly can’t live without it. I got rid of so much stuff recently that I was able to put my diabetes supplies in a pretty box that was previously used for something else. I have been better about changing my syringes and lancets ever since and I also stay on top of what needs to be reordered because everything is so nicely organized.
Check out Kondo’s book from the library or purchase it on Amazon and start making some darn space for a life in which you manage your diabetes and health (let’s face it, those take up enough space on their own).
I Think This Because I Live It
I have done these three things I’m suggesting, not perfectly of course, as we’re all a work in progress. But, I have experienced major changes that have been well worth all the little steps it took to get here. I once felt hopeless and worried that diabetes would kill me at age 40. I thought diabetes was too hard to manage even for just 24 hours. I felt depressed and anxious and didn’t know how to alleviate my symptoms.
I’ve found that for me, it has truly helped to keep quality company, mold my life so I spend my days where I want, doing what I want, and chucking items that are only going to stand in my way, mentally and physically.
In a way, it’s all about removing what isn’t going to support what we want or need. When you remove what isn’t wanted or needed you are left with everything you want and need. It’s quite perfect.
The bit I wrote about how we have to be virtuous and all that…that part is instrumental. Deep down we all recognize quality. When we think and act like quality people we are self-motivated to hold our heads up high and finally treat ourselves with self-respect. The best anti-depressant I’ve ever experienced has been working to be a self-respecting and useful person.
It isn’t self-respect to live amongst clutter, surrender to a dead-end job, or to maintain a toxic relationship. These aspects are huge in our lives and we either surround ourselves with an environment that promotes and supports our success, or we don’t.
I don’t have it all figured out and I have a long way to go still but, I get emails from people who want to know what advice I have on how to manage diabetes well and some who ask about relationship and parenting and other topics. So what I’ve shared is what I rely on to help me maintain an
A1c between 5-6 %, a healthy marriage, happy kids that I unschool, and work I enjoy.
I’ve noticed that people who manage their diabetes really well do these things, also. You can learn to do them, too if you want. Just pick one and begin.
Current opinion is that type 1 diabetes is actually an autoimmune disease
(the body destroying itself). Partly because over 80% of type 1
diabetics have islet cell antibodies. These antibodies tell your body
to attack and destroy the islet cells of your pancreas, which are
responsible for making insulin. If caught early enough, a perfect type 1
diabetes treatment would be to stop the autoimmune response.
Unfortunately, by the time diagnosis is made, almost all of the islet
cells have been destroyed. So there is no other choice at that point
but to inject insulin.
Preventing diabetes complications is really the main point of
diabetes treatment. People don't usually die from diabetes itself, they
die from the problems the disease causes. The #1 killer of diabetics is heart disease, not diabetes.
Extra
virgin coconut butter – it’s one of the trendier nutritional
ingredients. Coconut oil is advanced for its ability deliver fast energy
without affecting blood sugar. Its use is touted as a way to speed up
the metabolism making weight loss easier. It is being sold as essential
oil for addressing certain forms of cognitive decline and dementia.
Coconut oil, like other saturated fats and trans fats, does increase cholesterol levels.
I am a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, have run Diabetes Centers in hospitals, have a private practice in medical nutrition therapy specializing in metabolic syndrome, weight loss, and type 2 diabetes, and have written a NY Times Bestselling book on the same topics. January 10, 2012 was the world-wide release of my newest book, 
