As a nurse I often hear, “I know what needs to be done, I just don’t know how to do it,” or “I won’t be able to do it.” The “it” is behavior change — a major component of controlling diabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists seven behaviors — healthy eating, physical activity, monitoring blood sugar, taking medications as prescribed, good problem-solving skills, healthy coping skills and risk-reduction behaviors — which result in good blood sugar control, reduce complications and improve quality of life. If you’re asking, “How do I do it?” let’s get started!
Do you have a game plan? Is it the right plan for your unique needs? Does it include things you like? Write your plan down, and put it somewhere visible as a reminder.
Set the right goals. Before creating a plan, you have to decide what you want to accomplish. Make goals specific and something you can do. A goal of better blood sugar control should include specific steps to get you there — such as meeting with a dietitian to learn about carbohydrates or walking 30 minutes five days a week. When you accomplish a goal, reward yourself (with something other than food).
Does your diabetes team have all the right players? Diabetes management and sports share similarities. On the court, a basketball team has five players. Each player has a unique role — a specialty — that contributes to the success of the team. The team works together, supports and develops strategies to accomplish their goals. Along the way, changes are made if goals aren’t being reached. The team works when the right players are in the right positions. If one is missing, or not playing a position where his strength lies, the team isn’t as strong and the outcomes not as favorable.
A strong diabetes team includes a minimum of five to six people — the person with diabetes, primary care physician, dietitian, nurse educator, ophthalmologist (eye doctor) and for many, an endocrinologist, which is a doctor specializing in diabetes. You and your PCP are the core of the team. Other team members are added as needed — such as a podiatrist, psychologist and cardiologist. A team approach improves diabetes management because each provider works with you on areas they have received extensive training in. If you need to learn about label reading, or anything food related, meeting with a dietitian makes the most sense because nutrition is her area of expertise.
Knowledge truly is power. People with diabetes are responsible for making 90 to 95 percent of decisions regarding their diabetes care. That’s a lot of responsibility! Diabetes self-management is a continuous learning process. Your body’s needs change, as do medications and technologies (blood sugar meters, insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors). Follow these steps:
— Learn
— Apply what you learned
— Evaluate effectiveness
— Make changes as needed
— Repeat
Your team is there to teach you everything you need to know to reach your goals.
Support system. All teams need fans. This is where your family members, friends, co-workers and others come in. They are an equally important part of your team. Surround yourself with people who will motivate, encourage and want to help you succeed. Your health care providers are also part of your support system.
Be actively involved. You are the most important person on the team and the expert of your life. You know what is working and what’s not, and the reasons why. Your input is needed to create the right plan for you. If your plan isn’t working, if you don’t understand something or if you can’t — or won’t — do something, share this with your team. Keep communication open, and make decisions together.
As someone with diabetes, I know it’s a lot of work, but having a plan that helps you achieve your goals and prevent those horrible complications is definitely worth the time and effort. The first step is getting started. You can do it!
More from U.S. News
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10 Diets That Help Prevent or Manage Diabetes
How to Cope With Gestational Diabetes
Developing a Diabetes Game Plan originally appeared on usnews.com
