The diagnosis – finding out you have Type 2 diabetes should not start you down the blame trail.

Hearing the words from your PCP that you have diabetes is certainly not an easy thing to hear.

One thing that your primary care physician probably won’t say to you is, it’s not all your fault.

A lot of it has to do with life factors. Assuming that you get more fit, you can handle your blood glucose. Assuming you work out, you’ll better deal with your glucose.

Type 2 diabetes can come about because of hereditary conditions. Each body is unique, and you may have inherited genes that helped bring this about in your life.

So now it’s time to start finding out some facts.

Assuming you have a primary care physician, book an appointment and be ready to ask questions, like:

•             If I have type 2, what does that mean?

•             Is there anything I can do to get rid of this?

•             How will I know whether my glucose is getting better?

•             How often do I need to be seen by a professional?

•             How often am I supposed to test glucose levels?

•             Are there any specialists you can recommend I see?

•             Do I have to change the way I eat?

•             What are the immediate ramifications I should be aware of?

•             If my blood sugar is high or low, what do I do?

Don’t be afraid to ask these things. This is a serious matter and it’s your health we are talking about. Staying informed means you can make better decisions.

If your doctor has recommended a specialist like a dietician for example, be sure to follow up and work with them to know exactly what you need to eat to help control blood sugar.

Your doctor or a specialist will be able to show you exactly how to check your blood glucose, how to log the readings you get and keep an accurate diary of the readings.

Stay Active and Consistent

Find something you like and do it. Perhaps it’s yoga, a daily walk, or running, or weightlifting. Anything that you do, do it on a regular basis.

Working out will help you keep your glucose levels in check and balanced.

Begin Meal Prepping. Maybe just one or two days ahead while you start to figure out how this all works. Making meals and/or planning ahead will take aware the stress of food preparation and eating.

Stay consistent with checking your glucose levels. There will be days when everything just seems to get in the way and you don’t make time for these routines. It’s going to happen. Just pick yourself up and get going again.

Write It Out

Start journaling. You can even start a blog if you want to, but that’s not necessary… just a fun thing to do. Writing things out helps you relieve those stressors and vent any pent-up emotions. Do this right before bed and you can even sleep better without all the thoughts churning in your mind to keep you awake at night.

Buy a pretty notebook or nice journal. That makes the process more fun and special and helps make it something you look forward to doing.

Having Type 2 diabetes is nothing to be embarrassed about. It may be one of the hardest things you’ve ever dealt with, but you can adjust and change. And after a while, you’ll find those lifestyle changes weren’t that hard after all.

If there are people in your life you can go to for support, do that. Talking things out with a loved one or a counselor can be a big help on down days. So, utilize the people around you who can help in those ways.

Yes, this is a disease. But it is something you can handle. Stay informed, be smart, and don’t try to figure it all out on your own. Use the advice of the professionals and the support of loved ones and support groups.

You can do this.