YMCA of Greater Brandywine: Healthy Lifestyles Combat Diabetes

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By Barb Cronin, YMCA of Greater Brandywine

Every 17 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes. Most often, the diagnosis is Type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body’s main source of fuel. Left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to dehydration, diabetic coma, heart attack or stroke.

No one chooses to have diabetes, but if you are diagnosed, you can choose to do the best thing for your body and yourself. Ask questions. Ask your doctor, ask your nurse, ask a Registered Dietitian (RD); all of these people are trained professionals and can help you on the road to controlling your diabetes. Well-meaning friends may offer advice as well, but always take your medical questions or concerns to a professional.

You can fight diabetes with some lifestyle changes that include a healthy diet, moderate exercise and medicine (when prescribed) to control your weight and blood sugar level.

2014-06-25_AOF_11872_RGB (Small)Exercise: An Investment in Health

Physical activity can lower your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It also strengthens your heart, muscles, and bones. And, you’ll burn excess calories and lose weight, one of the leading contributors to diabetes. Be sure to speak to a health care professional before starting any exercise regimen.

Walking is a great way to get to active. A study published by the Diabetes Prevention Program showed that walking just 30 minutes a day, five days a week, combined with moderate changes in eating habits, cut the risk of diabetes in overweight people with high blood sugar by more than 50%. If you’re planning to walk, be sure your shoes fit well and always wear socks.

When it comes to getting active in seasons with severe weather – extreme cold or excessive heat – a membership at a local YMCA or community center is a great option. Ys offer 100s of different types of exercise classes (including family-friendly classes), sports leagues, and fun ways to get active for all ages and fitness abilities. There are also nationally certified personal trainers and registered dietitians (RD) dedicated to helping you not only get on, but stay on the right track for healthy living. Ys offer financial based upon need and no one is turned away due to the inability to pay.

Eat Your Way to Optimal Health

photo credit: Salat...ganz gesund via photopin (license)
photo credit: Salat…ganz gesund via photopin (license)

Consider talking with an RD to help with meal planning. It is a learning experience to discover how to eat for blood sugar control. It is also a myth that once diagnosed with diabetes you can never, ever have sugar again. The truth is everyone needs carbohydrates (a fancy word for sugar). We need them to breathe, walk around and exercise.

Carbohydrates also provide many nutrients (such as B vitamins, whole grains and fiber) we have difficulty getting from any other source. If you have diabetes, your body doesn’t use carbohydrates as efficiently. RDs are trained to help people understand and plan their nutrition according their own individual needs. RDs can be found in many places, such as your local hospitals, doctors’ offices and YMCAs.

Enjoy Life!

feelgood-laughterFinally, live. Diabetes is most manageable when you choose to be active, reduce stress, and live life to the fullest. Walk, hike, run, play with your kids. Movement has been proven to not only lower stress, but it also reduces blood sugar levels which leads to, you guessed it – controlling your diabetes!

Take the first step to a healthier you! In Honor of World Diabetes Day, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine continues our commitment to diabetes prevention with a special $1 joiner fee. Join from November 13 through 15, to take advantage of this offer. Enjoy a Y membership and join in on fun family programs to get active and spend time together. Now a Y membership means even more with access to Y’s in Pennsylvania and Delaware at no extra cost. To learn more visit www.ymcagbw.org/diabetes or visit any YMCA of Greater Brandywine branch.

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The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is a leading Chester County non-profit charity dedicated to strengthening community through programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With more than 80,000 members at nine facilities, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine invites all people to participate in membership and programs, regardless of their ability to pay. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcagbw.org

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