Losing weight proves to be a daunting task whether you are 20 pounds or a 100 pounds. It requires not only a physical change but a mental change also. The effects of obesity are harsh and can be fatal, but the rewards for dropping those extra pounds are very powerful and life-giving. This week a very close family member of mine was diagnosed with Diabetes, and immediately our mouths as well as our hearts dropped to the floor. Diabetes affects the ability to produce insulin, and paralyzes the metabolism in the body and the ability to process sugars. It affects can be demoralizing but with proper education very manageable.
Dane Skipper who weighs in at a whopping 185 pounds discovered that he was a diabetic a little over three years ago, proved that it affects those who are obese and those who you would think are very healthy. He told me “at first it was devastating, I thought what am I going to do now, how did this happen and can I ever overcome it?” Dane has done more than adapt, he has successfully managed his Diabetes with diet and excercise. Dane’s circumstance proved to be a challenge but not an impossible challenge.
The very close and personal friend I mentioned earlier just so happens to be my wife, and little did we know that her life would be affected by this diagnosis until just a few days ago. She went to the emergency room for severe kidney and stomach pain, but following a routine blood test discovered she had type two diabetes. This sent startled and gave us both a reality check and a much-needed wake up call. The news immediately over-shadowed the more urgent condition which was at hand.
So what can we say or do, what would be the next step if you think that you may be suffering from Diabetes? As scary as it may sound the first step is to see a doctor and have blood work run. Without these tests being run you will never absolutely know 100%. The second facet is to understand that this is not a life ending prognosis if handled properly. Sharon Robinson who just turned 50 was diagnosed a year ago and has managed to control her type 2 diabetes, and she proclaims herself to be queen of sweet. Third, the main reason for this blog, which is primarily dealing with my own health and journey to weight loss, is a life style change. Either you will learn to live a healthy lifestyle now by choice or you suffer the possibility of living it by demand later on in life.
Some people can eat bread and sugars and cookies and it may not ever affect them, but for some their bodies cannot handle the sugars. This does not make you a weirdo, but it forces one to make a decision will you change your life and overcome or will you let the diabetes control you and win. Let’s take back control of our lives!!
