Sugar Turned On Me

Today is World Diabetes day. Celebrities such as the Jonas Brothers (one of whom has diabetes) and Danny Devito are showing their support. The International Diabetes Foundation(IDF) is asking for people to light a virtual candle in acknowledgment. In some places they are having sporting events, in others symbolic walks. Today, the world is paying special attention to a disease that is rising to “epidemic” proportions in India, on the rise in the Phillipines and affects millions in the good, ol’ US of A.

I’d like you to observe it too.

I don’t want you to give money or jog a marathon or anything, though if you want to I won’t stop you. What I’d like you to do to observe this day and what it means is do something to prevent you from getting type 2 diabetes:

1. Take a walk. 30 min of walking with a purpose three times a week will help you lose weight and keep you from hanging on to sugar you’re not using at your desk.
2.  Eat Something Small. One of the easiest ways to help control Type 2 diabetes is by limiting your portion sizes to something reasonable. It’s also not a bad way to not get it in the first place.
3. Drink Water. Some popular sodas were introduced as a medication. Then they became a treat. Now, they’re just what you get with lunch. Replace one sugary drink you would have today with water.
4. Read Something. Check out the IDF’s website . Go to the American Diabetes Association’s website, Wikipedia or Diabetes.org and look up the symptoms . Make yourself a little more aware of what diabetes is and what diabetics deal with on a daily basis.
5. Listen. If you know someone with diabetes, ask them what it’s like. You don’t have to pry, but be interested for a moment. Get some first hand info about what it’s like to have sugar turn on you.

World Diabetes Day started being observed in 1991 by a group that wants to raise global awareness on a treatable and often preventable chronic disease. Be one of the people that they make aware. And if any of the things I recommend don’t seem so bad… try doing them again tomorrow, especially 1-3.

If you want, you can be an observer of World Diabetes Day. If you really want, you can be a result.

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