When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes almost three years ago I was shocked. I shouldn’t have been – it runs in my family and I wasn’t the poster girl for healthy living. Nonetheless, diagnosis of a chronic and potentially life threatening disease is a blow, and it’s scary.

So scary for me, in fact, that I completely changed my diet. I was afraid of eating anything that might exacerbate my newly discovered condition. In my zealous attempt to change I lost over 30 pounds.

I felt great and my weight loss and medication kept my blood sugar levels in control. Things were suddenly not looking quite so bad. I could handle this.

But it’s dangerously easy to become complacent.

I went for an extended trip overseas where I was walking miles each day. I came back even lighter and feeling good. That’s when things got dangerous again.

Over time I became unconcerned. I started seeing diabetes as non-threatening and gradually fell back into lousy eating and fitness habits.

It came to this fall, and a health scare. Physical concerns were such that I had to have tests.  Fear and the realization that I was completely off track hit me hard.

I was lucky. The outcome was alright. I have a second chance - this time I’m not going to blow it.

Mid-life is no time to play games and take chances with your health. If you have diabetes, or any condition where vigilance in regard to nutrition and fitness is extra important, take care of yourself – don’t let complacency get you.

You might also like to read:
8 stumbling blocks to steady blood glucose control
Diabetes: Staying positive
How diabetes can affect your skin
Complications of diabetes