Your Evolving Diabetes Plan: Tips for Continuous Improvement

As you navigate your health journey, taking a fresh approach to managing your diabetes is always a good idea. Revamping your diabetes management playbook can be incredibly beneficial. I’ve talked and written about this as a reminder: sometimes we fall off or get sidetracked, and that’s okay. This is a great time to take a new approach, especially if your previous management process wasn’t the best.

While my current plan has been effective, I believe there’s always room for improvement. I’m committed to making a few key adjustments to optimize my health and well-being. My goal is to change up my exercise routine. I also want to adjust my food choices due to having a stale and now boring menu.

Here are a few of the things I'm looking at to enhance my diabetes management plan.

Dietary adjustments

Prioritize plant-based foods

Increasing my intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes is a key goal. These nutrient-dense foods can help regulate my blood sugar levels and promote overall health, as advised by my healthcare team. I am consuming more berries, fiber, and protein on a more regular basis. Finding a good mix of fruits, veggies, and nuts helps with consistent consumption.

Mindful snacking

I’ll be choosing healthy snacks, such as nuts, seeds, yogurt, or fruit, to avoid blood sugar spikes. KIND bars are my favorite. Trail mix is my quick go-to.

Hydration, hydration, hydration

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent dehydration. A lack of hydration is how I found out that I had type 2 diabetes, so I make sure I consume plenty of water on a regular basis.

Evolving the exercise routine

Variety is key

Incorporating a mix of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises into my routine is always good. Therefore, I plan on focusing more on weight and strength training. This will help improve my cardiovascular health, build muscle mass, and increase my energy levels. I want a shirtless summer! LOL

Find your passion

Seek out activities that you enjoy, whether it’s dancing, sports, or swimming. Truthfully, any exercise or outdoor activity you enjoy will benefit your diabetes management process. Here's an audible to switch it up: try something new. This will make exercise more fun and sustainable. My son likes being outside riding his bike, and I'm buying a bike so we can ride together. Being in sports photography, I enjoy the side and field action; that really keeps the blood pumping.

Monitoring your management playbook

Regular check-ins

I’ll be diligent about monitoring my blood sugar levels and taking medication as needed with my healthcare team. Being more holistic with new exercise is my goal. That will require me to be very active in communication with my medical team.

Stress reduction techniques

The plan is to practice stress-management techniques. Meditation and yoga can help in reducing stress. Watching my son participate in a yoga morning exercise when we went on vacation to Great Wolf Lodge, he was so calm afterwards that I told my wife I think I’ve learned something from our toddler. Ultimately, finding time to decompress is a crucial goal.

It’s crazy that what I criticized and made fun of my dad about doing, I now find as a stress relief. Yard work, washing my car, and simply sitting in the garage and enjoying the silence have been a real game changer for me since I am always on the go during NFL and MLS seasons.

Staying the course

We all know that making small changes can create big results. I’m confident that I can improve my overall health and well-being managing my type 2 diabetes, and so can you. The key is staying the course and being constantly locked in. I’m excited to continue my journey towards a healthier future with diabetes.

Remember, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider before making any significant changes to your diabetes management plan.