Are You One of the 57 Million With Diabetes Or Pre-Diabetes?
Did You Know that there Are Over 57 million people in the United States who are considered to have “pre-diabetes”?
What is pre-diabetes? Pre-diabetes is a condition where a person’s blood glucose level is higher than normal levels but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. While in this “pre-diabetes” condition, recent research has indicated that some long-term damage to the body is already occurring. Things like your heart and circulatory system.
In a study conducted between 1997 and 2003 it was reported that diabetes had increased 41%. The time to do something about this is now. Let’s get moving America!
The less active a person is, the more likely they are to gain weight and increase their risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Let’s start reversing those statistics.
If you are one of these 57 million Americans with this serious medical condition, it is comforting to know that it can be treated. Research has shown that with good nutrition and physical activity, you can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes in your diet and increasing your level of physical activity.
By losing as little as 7-10% of your weight your body’s ability to handle insulin will be significantly improved. Believe it or not, this is easily accomplished simply by moving more.
Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise. We don’t always think of it as exercise, but just by moving (walking) at least 30 minutes a day can help you lose weight and gain control of your health. You do not have to walk a full 30 minutes at a time. You can do 10 minutes in the morning, afternoon or night. Just do your best to get in at least 30 minutes of moving (walking).
Instead of parking close to the store or office, park a few blocks down and walk to your destination. Take a walk around the block after dinner. Or just do some step marching to your favorite music or work-out DVD. Even dancing can help you get moving.
Did you know that if you walk 10,000 steps you have a covered approximately 5 miles? An easy way to keep track of your steps is to purchase a pedometer. By increasing your steps you not only will lose weight but you will lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. An added benefit is that you will feel great and have more energy.
If you are like me, you need something to help motivate you and keep your going. Committing to a specific time to walk or exercise and sticking to is vitally important. Tell a friend what you are planning to do and then report to that person on whether or not you did it. Be truthful – the only person you will be hurting is yourself – so just do it.
Preventing you from developing type 2 diabetes is very important. The complications to diabetes – loss of sight, heart disease, amputations, kidney problems, and numerous other conditions and/or problems – are not to be taken lightly. In some instances, you can actually loose a limb or your life!
By doing something as little as a 10 minute walk, dance or just plain moving, can mean the difference between a life with or without type 2 diabetes. Don’t be a statistic. Get on board and move!
