The Diagnosis – The Day My Life Changed
On December 13th, 2022, I went in for my regular physical, completely unaware that this routine appointment would change my life forever. It was on this day that I received the news: I had been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. If you take a look at the image included in this post, you’ll see just how much this moment marked a turning point for me. It was the answer to many unspoken prayers and, more importantly, the catalyst for a major shift in my health and my approach to life.
My Journey with Type 2 Diabetes: A Life-Changing Appointment
I will never forget the day my routine annual physical turned into something that would completely change the course of my health journey. What started as a typical check-up quickly led to a diagnosis that would alter my lifestyle forever – Type 2 Diabetes.
As I sat down with my doctor, we discussed the next steps in managing this new reality. She recommended several changes that would have a profound impact on my life. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a doctor you trust, someone who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in your well-being. That day, I felt incredibly blessed to be working with a doctor who encouraged me to take action, to listen to my body, and to make adjustments when necessary. Her supportive approach gave me the strength to face what was ahead.
That day, I left with a prescription for Mounjaro, a medication that would help control my A1c and assist in managing my diabetes. I also had the opportunity to meet with a nutritionist who introduced me to the “Balanced Plate” method, a strategy designed to keep my nutrition in check. I also met with a diabetes nurse who taught me how and when to check my blood sugar levels.
As you can imagine, it was a lot to take in all at once. But for the first time, I felt like I had the tools I needed to take control of my health. I was ready to find a path forward.
On my drive home, I distinctly remember having a moment of clarity. I told myself, “I am not going to let this be something in my life that disrupts everything. I will find a way to make this part of my normal routine.” I made a promise to myself to manage my diabetes in a way that didn’t interfere with our daily lives. I knew that I needed to get a handle on it now to prevent long-term health issues down the road.
We all know that staying healthy is key to living a long, fulfilling life. The thought of future complications was a strong motivator. If I didn’t take action now, I worried about the point where it would no longer be something I could control. I had to make a change, and I had to do it soon.
Now, while Type 2 Diabetes will always be a part of my life, it’s no longer something I fear or feel overwhelmed by. I’ve come to see it as a catalyst for positive change. It’s a condition that forced me to rethink my approach to nutrition, one that has taught me more about my body than I ever knew before.
Living with Type 2 Diabetes has challenged me, but it’s also empowered me. I am no longer afraid. I am focused on making changes that allow me to live my life to the fullest while managing my health. This journey has been a powerful reminder that with the right support and mindset, you can face even the toughest challenges head-on.
If you’re facing something similar, remember: You are not alone. There is always a way forward, and with the right tools and support, you can take control of your health.
Starting My Health Journey: Small Changes, Big Impact
As we move forward on this journey together, my hope is that you can take away small pieces of information that resonate with you and find ways to incorporate them into your own life. My goal is to help you discover new ways to make changes that can improve your health and well-being.
Interestingly, many of the changes I made to my lifestyle weren’t solely about managing my Type 2 Diabetes. The steps I took are things that anyone can implement to improve their health in a way that works for them. You see, while my focus was initially on managing my diabetes, those changes had a profound impact in other areas of my health as well.
For example, I lost 115 pounds—an achievement you can see in the graph below. But the changes didn’t stop there. Along with weight loss, my blood pressure improved, which, while never an issue for me, was a positive change. My good cholesterol increased, and my bad cholesterol decreased. Even though I didn’t have issues with these numbers before, they improved simply by focusing on my overall health.
These changes show how impactful it can be to take control of your health: getting the right nutrition, staying active, and truly listening to your body. It’s not just about managing one condition—it’s about improving your entire well-being.
When I got home and started processing all the information I had gathered, one thought kept popping into my head: for these changes to last, they had to be small, sustainable, and seamlessly integrated into my life. It couldn’t just be another diet, a fad, or a temporary fix. I needed a lifestyle change that I could maintain.
So, I focused on two key areas:
Testing my blood sugar became a crucial tool in understanding how my body was responding—not just to the medication I was taking, but also to the food and drinks I consumed. It was a real eye-opener, showing me how my blood sugar levels fluctuated based on what I ate. Over time, I cleaned up my diet, identifying the foods that worked for me and those that didn’t.
Once I was on the medication for a few weeks, and after experimenting with my diet, I started eating more consistent meals. I slowly made adjustments, gradually changing my routine. In my next post, I’ll dive deeper into blood sugar testing, sharing examples of what I ate, how it impacted my levels, and the foods I learned to embrace—and those I chose to avoid to better manage my blood sugar with both diet and medication.
The Balance Plate method is a simple concept that has made a huge difference. It may sound familiar because it’s something we were all taught in kindergarten: how to balance our plate with the right proportions of vegetables, protein, and carbs. But as we grow older, we often lose sight of how important proper nutrition is—especially when we’re bombarded with different weight loss programs, pills, and supplements.
Honestly, if I had focused on the Balance Plate method earlier in my life, it would’ve made a huge difference in my health. Here’s how it works: half of your plate should be vegetables, a quarter should be protein, and the remaining quarter should be carbohydrates. No matter how big or small your plate is, as long as you maintain this balance, your body will receive the right fuel it needs.
In the coming weeks, I’ll dive deeper into the Balance Plate method and share more tips. But for now, these two changes—regular blood sugar testing and the Balance Plate method—have been essential in helping me continue my journey toward better health.
The Importance of Nutrition: Why It’s Key to Overall Health, With or Without Diabetes
You might be reading this and thinking, “I’m not diabetic, so this doesn’t really apply to me.” But let me tell you, whether you have diabetes or not, proper nutrition is crucial for overall health. It’s something that affects all of us, regardless of whether we’re managing a specific condition or just trying to maintain our well-being.
When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, I thought the key to managing it was simply focusing on controlling my blood sugar. However, what I quickly learned was that proper nutrition was not just a “diabetes solution”—it’s the foundation of a healthy lifestyle for everyone. Regardless of your health status, taking care of your body with the right foods has an immense impact on your energy, mental clarity, mood, and long-term well-being.
One of the most eye-opening experiences for me was testing my blood sugar regularly. I thought it was just something that people with diabetes did. But over time, I began to realize that testing my blood sugar gave me a much deeper understanding of how my body was responding to the food I was eating—and how it was impacting my overall health. It wasn’t just about the food choices I made in relation to my diabetes; it was about learning which foods truly worked best for my body. This can be a useful tool even if you aren’t diabetic. Glucometers are very inexpensive, and anyone can but them and use them as a tool to learn more about how your body is working. I have a friend who uses this to figure out if there are certain foods that just don’t work well for her. She has used this as a way to fine-tune her nutrition. Information is power, power to know how to make the right change for you.
Through this process, I became more in tune with how different foods made me feel, both physically and mentally. For example, some foods left me feeling energized and satisfied, while others made me sluggish or caused discomfort. It wasn’t just about blood sugar levels—it was about listening to my body’s response to food. This is something I believe everyone should be more conscious of.
The reality is, what we eat affects us on a much deeper level than just calories or macros. We are constantly fueling our bodies with the food we choose, and the right fuel can make a world of difference in how we feel every day. As I continued to test my blood sugar, I found that certain foods helped stabilize my levels, giving me steady energy throughout the day. On the other hand, I noticed that when I consumed sugary or highly processed foods, my energy would spike and crash, leaving me feeling tired and irritable.
But it wasn’t just about the immediate physical effects. I also started paying attention to how different foods impacted my mood, my focus, and my mental clarity. I realized that I felt more alert and productive when I focused on whole, nutritious foods—vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs—compared to when I indulged in overly processed, sugary snacks.
This kind of awareness can be life-changing. By listening to my body and understanding how my blood sugar reacted to different foods, I was able to make better food choices that worked with my body, not against it. I’m not saying that I’m perfect, or that I don’t indulge in treats every now and then. But the key takeaway here is that nutrition isn’t just about maintaining a healthy weight or managing a condition—it’s about feeling your best and truly understanding how the foods you eat influence your body.
Now, I don’t want to just focus on the negative aspects of food. What I found through testing my blood sugar was that there were so many positive, nourishing foods that made me feel incredible. By embracing a diet focused on whole, unprocessed foods, I not only stabilized my blood sugar but also improved my energy levels, my mood, and my overall sense of well-being. I began to realize that good nutrition is something everyone should prioritize, regardless of whether they have a chronic condition or not.
Taking the time to understand how food affects your body is something I think everyone should do. Whether you have diabetes or not, becoming more mindful of how food makes you feel can lead to better choices and a healthier lifestyle. It’s easy to overlook the power of proper nutrition, especially in today’s world where convenience often takes precedence. But by paying attention to the foods you eat and how they make you feel, you can start to take control of your health in a meaningful way.
So, while my journey with Type 2 Diabetes has taught me many lessons, one of the most valuable is this: nutrition isn’t just about managing a health condition—it’s the foundation of a healthier, more vibrant life. And no matter where you are on your health journey, I encourage you to start paying closer attention to how different foods affect your body. It could be the key to feeling better, living healthier, and achieving long-term wellness—whether you’re managing a condition or simply trying to live your best life.
I’m excited to share more of this journey with you and to keep discovering how small changes can make a big impact!
I challenge you to think of one change that you can make to improve your health. It might be going on a walk, eating vegetables at every meal, or choosing water instead of a pop, it can be just once or a lasting change. How can you make one small change today to start a big change in your future?
