Information related to diabetes

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) at the end of July 2004, and I have started to find out about the condition. I can highly recommend Diabetes for Dummies.

Weight control, exercise and a good diet would seem to be key to managing diabetes, and of course exercise and a good diet will help with the weight control. I did think that my diet was OK and that I did a reasonable amount of exercise. However being a vegetarian my consumption of cheese and dairy products was rather high, and on reflection I too often found excuses to skip the exercise. Being diagnosed with diabetes has focused my mind and I have changed my diet to cut down on fats and sugars and have increased my exercise so that I now go for a 1-hour cycle ride or a 30-minute run six times a week. Already I have seen my weight drop by five or six pounds and my blood glucose levels are coming down.

The following sites have useful information.

Diabetes UK

The UK charity for people with diabetes.

The Diabetes, Sports and Exercise Association

An American organization that provides information and support for people with diabetes who are interested in sport, physical fitness and exercise.

Glycemic index

Information about the Glycaemic Index of food stuffs – a measure of their immediate effect on blood glucose levels (carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream, have low glycaemic indexes).

Update – September 2005

Its now been over a year since I was diagnosed and it is a struggle to keep my blood glucose levels down with exercise and diet.

In the first three months I was very strict about what I eat, cutting out all chocolate and sweets and generally eating much less than prior to the diagnosis, and increasing the exercise. In fact I felt hungry during that time and my weight dropped by about 20lb (9kg) in three months.

After a few months the shock wore off and I relaxed a bit. My weight crept up by about 7lb over the following six months, but I did continue with the exercise. Working from home it is easy to fit in the exercise, especially during the summer. I go for an hour's bike ride or a half hour run first thing in the morning and the exercise feels easier than it used to. My running has progressed from a sluggish plod to something that is quite respectable.

In all having the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has been a wake-up call and one year on I actually feel much fitter than I did and have much more energy as a result.

Andrew Ford
2 September 2005