The winter months can be a challenging time for many people to make choices to stay healthy. Bad weather, busy schedules, slick roads, limited day light and winter “comfort foods” can make it seem like you don’t have many choices when it comes to healthy eating and staying active. This time of the year can be even more difficult if you have diabetes.
Living with diabetes is not easy. It is common to feel overwhelmed, sad or angry. Managing diabetes means making healthy food choices; being active everyday; maintaining a healthy weight; working to control blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure; and taking medication as prescribed. Figuring out how to fit all of this into your daily routine can be a challenge.
The New Year is a perfect time to think about lifestyle changes you want to make to be healthier. Making a plan and taking small steps is important to help you reach your goals. It does not mean anything to say “I will do better with weight, exercise, eating, or monitoring blood glucose”. You need to think about what is really important to you and your health. Decide what changes you are willing and able to make. Next decide the steps that will help you reach your goal.
Be specific when setting at least one goal you want to start now. The vague goals to “do better” only lead to frustration, and feeling like a failure. Ask yourself what step you will take to reach your goal (example walking). Then ask when and how often you will do it (for example, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday after supper), and how much/how long (for example, 15 minutes each time to start). You need to get away from setting enormous goals like “I’m going to lose weight” or “I am going to lower my blood glucose level”. These enormous goals do not focus on specific issues that will help you to manage your diabetes.
Do not forget to get support from family, friends, co-workers and your diabetes community to help you reach and complete your goals. They want to help you succeed in your diabetes care; however, they usually do not know how to help. Your support system can provide encouragement, or work with your to reach your goal (for example walking with you after supper).
To learn more ways to reach and complete your goals to improve your diabetes consider attending the next Free Monthly Diabetes Program. On January 14, 2014 Karen Droesch RD,LD,CDE will discuss “A New You: Keeping Healthy New Year’s Resolutions”. The program will be held in the third floor conference room at Wayne HealthCare, at 2 pm.
If you are interested in learning additional ways to help improve/maintain your blood glucose levels consider attending Group Diabetes Classes at Wayne HealthCare. This program will provide you with the knowledge to help make healthy lifestyle decisions regarding your management of diabetes. Whether you have had diabetes for some time or are newly diagnosed, our programs offer you and your family the knowledge and skills to live successfully with diabetes.
Group classes are offered in a relaxed and informal atmosphere with discussion and questions. The classes offer a chance to interact and share experiences, while still offering the ability to work with your educator on an individual basis. Group classes help individuals with diabetes learn more about: 1) How to manage their diabetes, 2) How to plan meals to improve blood glucose control, 3) Blood glucose monitoring, 4) Starting an exercise program, 5) Making lifestyle changes to improve health, and 6) How to cope with diabetes.
The cost of each class is $10 or $40 for the series of four classes. The first class of the New Year will be held January 6, 13, 21, and 27, 2013 from 1 pm- 3 pm. Pre-registration for the classes is required.
If these dates do not work with your schedule, the classes will be held at alternating times throughout the day. Morning classes will be held from 9 am-11 am in March, June, and October. Afternoon classes will be held from 1pm -3 pm in January, April, July, August, and November. Evening classes will be held from 6pm-8pm in February, May, and September.
If you prefer to meet individually with the Certified Diabetes Educator, you can receive education regarding Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). Individual education for diabetes self-management includes: blood glucose monitoring, nutrition guidelines, carbohydrate counting and meal planning, medication, insulin administration, reducing complications, controlling your disease and lifestyle changes. A dietitian will create an individual meal plan to incorporate your food preferences and other diet restrictions. Individuals learn that they can eat a variety of foods while still being healthy.
For more information regarding the programs offered by Wayne HealthCare Diabetes Self Management Program please call 937-547-5750.
