Three tips for when you're first diagnosed with type II diabetes

Receiving a diagnosis of any kind can be a shock to patients. And, type II diabetes is no different.
You'll need to accept your lifestyle will change going forward. But, more importantly, you need to appreciate that type II diabetes isn't a death sentence. There's a lot you can do to control your diabetes and live a long, happy life.

Here are three tips to help you cope better with your type II diagnosis…

Daily insulin injections are a distant memory for Catherine Downs now...

In fact, the 56-year old diabetic has almost forgotten she ever had full-blown type II diabetes.

No more syringes. She's even lowered her hypoglycaemic prescription to only 2mg per day. And get this… She's eating like a normal person again, sugary sweets and all.

How did she do it? She found out about an unknown sugar-buster hiding in a most unlikely place... Find out what it is here...

Use this easy guide to cope with your new type II diagnosis

Even if you suspect your doctor may have bad news for you, receiving those final words, “you have type II diabetes” almost always catches off-guard and sends you into a panic.

Here are three things you can do to keep calm and process the news in a helpful way…

1. Take a loved one with you to the doctor’s office: It’s a lot to take in during your short doctor’s visit. First the diagnosis, then the information and then the advice for the management of your diabetes. You’re unlikely to walk away with a clear action plan if you go alone. Instead, take a loved one with you to take notes, ask questions and support you.
2. Don’t overwhelm yourself with information at first: Let’s face it, your type II diabetes symptoms have been unravelling for years. It’s not something that happens overnight. So, don’t try fix the problem in a day either. There’s much you can do to improve your symptoms and even potentially reverse some. But you won’t achieve this overnight. First, deal with the diagnosis and get your blood sugar under control. This may take some time for a novice diabetic, so get that right before you bury yourself in books or glue yourself to the Internet. With all the information out there about diabetes, it can become very overwhelming. 
3. Tell people: Don’t try to hide the fact that you’re now a type II diabetic. You’re no different from who you were before you received the type II diagnosis. And your family and friends will know that. It’s also important for your colleagues to know this. They’ll be able to support you better when you have an off-day or if you’re struggling to balance your blood sugar.      

There you have the three steps that’ll help you stay calm and cope better with your type II diagnosis.
Here’s what else could help you…

Just put on your takkies and go for a walk!

But a leisurely stroll isn’t going to help you. You have to get your walking technique right before you’ll melt away any fat, let alone dangerous fat.
 
Studies show that if you walk at a consistent pace, you’ll shed fewer calories because your body automatically adjusts to your workout...
 
It’s at this point of your workout that the amount of fat you burn flat lines.
That’s where this little device comes in...
 
Click here and take full advantage of our interval walking program

You don’t have to feel alone, here’s who you can contact to get diabetes support

It could be beneficial joining other people in the same situation as you. They can help guide you through the labyrinth of advice out there. These are some of the organisations you can become a member of, or follow:

• The South African Diabetes Association
• Sweet Life
• The Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology
• Diabetes South Africa

Contact them today to get the diabetes support you need.

Tags: type 2 diabetes, type ii diabetes, controlling diabetes, type ii diagnosis, management of diabetes, type ii diabetes symptoms, diabetes support