Chump Change: getting two steps away from type two

I have an “issue” and that’s putting it delicately with pre diabetes.
I’m biased, and I admit it fully without hesitation, In fact, this is my second venting article on it in just a matter of days.
(Still a little residual pent up anger.) Now wait just a minute, I am not angry at the predisposed genetic kind, I am angry at the “I can’t make the changes to prevent it kind.”
That’s the one that gets me going…. Ignorance is not bliss when you actually develop a full fledge type two disease. We all have our faults, and I am no exception here, but I live with a Type One and see daily the struggle of lows and highs, injections, blood testing strips, drips of blood on my freshly washed floor and little paper labels from needles all over the place.

Ok, so that’s my end of the frustration, (My kid is messy). But I do watch him struggle, balancing glucose levels with meals, exertion, sleep schedules and no doubt hormones. So I get really annoyed to say the least when I read in studies that so many people just do not take it seriously. The ADA did a survey and states that one in five people over the age 40 find it too difficult to make changes to prevent the onset of Type Two Diabetes. How crazy is that? Hmmm…let’s see a loaf of white bread or multigrain? (Snicker) mind numbingly difficult choice, a piece of fresh fruit, scares me now! or how about, walk to the corner store instead of driving? Ouch it hurts just to think about it. Walking is good. It should really be taken advantage of because you never know; you could lose that foot one day.

So change is too hard? Well you’re wrong and maybe should I venture to say… lazy? No, wait a sec, change is hard, just ask those who have Type One or Type Two already, they will be sure to tell you that it’s hard, but the consequences are nothing compared to switching it up to a few simple changes or a leaner cut of meat. So if you can’t get up off your duff, then don’t. Maybe during the commercial break you could try pressing the mute button and just closing your eyes and breathing deeply. Focus on that for each commercial during desperate housewives and you could be putting your foot (as precious as it is) on the path to lowering your blood pressure. Had a tough day and can’t make a change? Then write it out how you feel.
One liners, nasty words, doodle a picture; again, if you’re getting out your feelings, you’re lowering your blood pressure, helping your heart, clearing your mind and getting further away from diabetes. The goal here. yes I did say goal is to take a few steps with little to no effort and hopefully inspire you to take bigger steps. I Say have a salad, or 86 the can of soda for a diet one and yep eventually lean over and touch your toes.

Chump changes can go a long way. No change, well that will go a bad way. And you need to think about it now. Studies do show mental impairments and Alzheimer’s in conjunction to diabetes. When that happens, you won’t remember how to make a change!