3 Ways to be an Advocate for You with Type 2 Diabetes

Who really is responsible for your health? Well, you, of course!

You're the only one who knows what you're feeling, how you're feeling, what it feels like to have a high blood sugar or low blood sugar. You're the expert!

Because type two diabetes can be complicated, you need a team. You need a healthcare team to support you and guide you and be in the process with you.

So what are some ways that you can advocate for yourself?

Number one, pay attention to your numbers. If you know what your blood sugar is in the morning before and after exercise, after lunch, and before bedtime, you will have a lot of information that tells you what you ate affected your blood sugar today.

How did the exercise I do or didn't do affect my blood sugar today? What happened when I went to bed and my blood sugar was a little high. What happened in the morning when my blood sugar was low or higher? This is all really, really good information. Not only for you so that you can tweak your exercise routine or what you're eating, but it's great information for your healthcare team too, because they can look at it and say, okay, maybe we need to adjust medication. Maybe we need to adjust insulin. They're the experts in that. And they can give you the guidance you need .

Number two, be a partner with your healthcare team. It's not just them telling you what to do. You and they are equal. So ask questions, push back if you don't understand something.  If you find something of interest, some piece of research that you want more information about, or think whatever is in that article be useful for you, bring it to their attention and have a discussion about it.

So the great part is they're experts in their field and you're expert on you. So when you actually work together, it can be a really powerful conversation.

Three, pay attention to your emotions, your feelings. You know, diabetes isn't just a physical thing that means your blood sugar sugars too high, and you feel bad, or your blood sugar is too low, and you're going to pass out. It's not just about that. It's also, how do you feel about yourself?

Are you looking at this as an opportunity to really make changes in your life that are going to change the course of your health? Or are you looking at this as if it's just a big waste of time and nothing's ever going to get better so why should I do anything?

It's very important for you to understand how are you feeling. We talked before about diabetes distress and that burnout feeling. So you want to really pay attention to that and take advantage of the information that your feelings give you.

So those are three ways, and I'm sure there are many more.  Remember, you are in charge of your body. You're the one who lives in it. So get the advice of others and know that the final decision is always yours.

I have a free 30 day guide available to you if you're interested, particularly if you're newly diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, or perhaps if you've had diabetes for a while, and you want a different level of control. This 30 day guide is a place to start. And if you would like a copy, click here and we'll get it to you.

Thank you so much for listening.

 Dr. Elaine

 Download my Free 30 Day Guide to Manage or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
https://www.drelainestewart.com/30-day-guide

 Schedule a Free Diabetes Assessment Call
https://www.drelainestewart.com/diabetes-assessment-call

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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