Defining Your Lifestyle

Everyone has different needs and different likes and dislikes. But diabetes can affect everyone in very similar ways, and this is what gives all people with the disease a common thread when developing an action plan for diabetes.

Some of us like to run for exercise, whereas others prefer swimming. These are two very different activities, yet they both can contribute to treating diabetes. The point is that you need to do some form of exercise and, more important, it should be exercise that you enjoy doing and that you can realistically incorporate into your daily life. If you choose an exercise now and it later becomes problematic for you, whether you become bored with it or you are unable to physically do it because of an injury, do not be afraid to change it.

The same principle applies to your eating habits. For example, if you've not a vegetarian and you never found a reason to be, then don't become one. Many people, including myself, who know that they need change in their lives will try to adopt the lifestyle of someone else. At first it seems like a good idea, but when they finally realize that they have their own needs, desires, and tastes that conflict with that person's needs, desires, and tastes, it does not seem like such a wise choice.

When I was a medical student I felt the need to make a change in my lifestyle. I was somewhat overweight and had not done any significant exercise for at least two years. A friend and classmate of mine was a vegetarian and very fit. He would always find time to work out and was very energetic. As most of us would do, I compared myself to him and this motivated me to become healthy. I thought I could emulate what my friend was doing, so I became a vegetarian and started working out. My only problem was that I like to eat meat. So, needless to say, this only lasted a couple of days.

My point is that you cannot substitute someone else's personal choices for your own if those specific choices do not fit your personality and individual situation. If you do this, you will likely fail sooner than later. But you can look at what actions are successful for other people, and adopt the aspects that fit your own personality and incorporate them into your lifestyle. Simply put, you should create a lifestyle that will meet your health goals based on choices that are compatible with you.