It’s news no-one wants to hear. “Your levels have reached the diabetic zone.” Even a pre-diabetic reading is a shock.
That marks the beginning of a journey for a growing number of Canadians, often around the age of 40. How did almost-40 Britt feel about hearing that two years ago?
“Shame. What have I done? I’ve done this to myself. It was a dark time.”
But a close and valued friend decreed “Okay, we’re going to the gym on Wednesday.” Britt plus friend walked into Orange Theory for a 5:30 AM class. “That was tough. Going in I was like a deer in the headlights. It’s hard the first time, but my friend was my biggest cheerleader.”
After that initiation, how did you feel? “Love. I fell in love. So easy. All I have to do is show up with my shoes and water bottle. They tell me what to do, set incline on the treadmill – you don’t have to run! – they tell me how heavy weights to lift and how many reps, then I go home and don’t have to think about it until the next time I go, which is now three times a week.”
When I asked how she could manage that with two small children, she grinned, “My husband is super. He gets the kids up, feeds them breakfast. He totally has my back on this one and supports me. I walk out the door and leave it to him.”
Almost two years later: “In the gym I have gone from walking on the treadmill to running. I run now! It’s crazy. I am stronger. I feel better…and my numbers are down.”
There was a hiccup in the middle, Britt described, “I broke my foot. At the gym. I was wiping down the treadmill after I used it. It wasn’t even turned on. I tripped on the edge and broke my foot. Ridiculous…That had me out of commission for six or eight weeks. Before long, my wonderful cheerleader was saying, ‘Okay are we ready to go back?’ That was hard. It was stiff and sore. Fortunately, my amazing physiotherapist was clear on what hurt I should respect and what hurt needed me to move forward. I strongly recommend going to the professionals.”
Has this made any difference to your pre-diabetes? And what part has diet played? “Yes, my numbers went down quickly to just the high end of normal and now all the way down to normal. And that happened even before I changed anything in my diet. I manage what I eat now and still go to the gym three times a week and I’ll keep doing that. It’s easy. I go on my way to work, then straight from there to work. My husband knows how good it makes me feel so he cheerfully covers the home front.”
Yes, there are huge genetic factors in diabetes and people react to the diagnosis with a wide range of emotions. In Britt’s case, it triggered a commitment to fitness that leaves her feeling healthier, fitter, stronger, with blood sugar in the normal range. People who work with diabetics describe that individuals with a new diagnosis are at their most receptive to embracing exercise for managing it. But even so, change is difficult, and as both Britt and I experienced, the first step, getting to a gym, is daunting. She found that a buddy helps and suggests, “Reach out. Bring people into your corner. You need cheerleaders.” She recommends drawing on “Lifestyle RX” on the internet to explore resources and support for diabetics. It’s run by doctors and covered by health care.
Britt’s success story illustrates the profound effect that exercise can have on Type 2 diabetes. Wherever you are in your blood sugar journey, consult with your health care provider about an exercise regime that would work for you.
Hear Britt’s interview on Aging Fitfully: https://www.youtube.com/@AgingFitfully
Margaret Archibald is a 79-year-old Kamloops retiree, who is neither medically nor fitness trained. She is not qualified to diagnose nor recommend health or fitness. She is simply learning how to develop her own fitness, bound and determined to keep on loving aging.