Set Goals, Stay Healthy

Staying healthy is what taking care of your diabetes is all about. You will feel better now and reduce the chances of getting more serious diseases. You will have more energy and simply enjoy life more.

Does it take more time and effort to stay healthy with diabetes? Yes and no. Yes, you will have to take the time to learn how to keep your blood sugar under control. But no, it does not take any more effort than it takes other people to exercise regularly and eat well.

Know your diabetes ABC goals
Here is a simple way to remember the three important numbers for people with diabetes to know: ABC. For most people, that means:

• A   A1c level at 7 or less
• B   Blood pressure 130/80 or less
• C   Cholesterol LDL 100 or less

These are your ABC goals. If you are already there, congratulations! If not, talk to your doctor about what you can do to reach them.

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Reaching your ABC goals
Together with your doctors and family, you need a plan to reach your ABC goals. Their advice and support will help you make the changes in your life that might be necessary.

While your doctors or Priority Health can provide a lot of information to help you make lifestyle changes, here are some of the basic steps:

• Follow a diabetes food plan 
  Your doctor can help you create a meal plan and there are many places to find recipes to make healthy, well-rounded meals. Some keys are:
  
• Get more exercise 
  Work out up to thirty to sixty minutes a day. Remember walking counts! Start with small steps like five to ten minutes three times weekly and build toward bigger goals.
• Stop smoking
  
  1. Talk to your doctor about ways to help you stop smoking.
  2. Wellness classes and community resources
  3. Priority Health's Tobacco Cessation program
     
  4. Log in to your personal Priority Health account and check out the tobacco cessation tools that can help you stop smoking.
     
     
• Take medicines as directed
  Following your doctor's instructions increases the benefits and reduces the side effects. Ask if you need aspirin to help prevent a heart attack or stroke.
• Check your feet daily
  Look for cuts, blisters, red spots or swelling. If sores don't heal in a few days, call your doctor’s office.
• Stay at the "right weight" 
  Talk to your doctor about what he or she considers a good weight for you. It might take a little extra work to get there but it will be worth it in how you feel and look.
• See your dentist
  Visit your dentist twice a year and be sure to tell her or him that you have diabetes.
• Be kind to yourself
  Make changes you can stick with. Learn what tempts you to get off track and decide how to avoid "slip-ups." Ask for help from friends and family when you need support or someone to talk to. If you slip up, admit it and move on.
  
  

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When to see your doctor
Your doctor needs to know when:

• Your feet have sores that do not heal.
• Your blood tests are showing widely different numbers.
• Your insulin or medications are affecting your energy levels or ability to do your regular activities.