Most type 2 diabetics are found to be overweight or obese after being diagnosed. It has also been proven that with weight loss, patients can regulate their blood glucose levels and may dramatically reduce the need for insulin injections. This is believed to be due to the increased insulin sensitivity and efficiency of this hormone.
However, there are a few factors to consider before you embark on your weight loss journey.
#1 – Health
The most important thing to do is to explore your current health situation. Ask yourself:
- Goal – How much weight are you aiming to lose?
- BMI – What is your body mass index (BMI)? This can be calculated by
Weight in kilos / (height in meters)2
| BMI INTERPRETATION | |
| Less than 18.50 | Underweight |
| 18.50 – 24.99 | Healthy weight |
| 25.00 – 29.99 | Overweight |
| 30.00 or more | Obese |
It is important to keep in mind that certain races may have a different BMI interpretation compared to the general chart. For example, the BMI limit for Asians is more rigid compared to the one above. Too complicated? Click here to enter your details and have it calculated for you.
#2 – Lifestyle
Before deciding to start a rigorous exercise routine or going on a crash diet, assess your current lifestyle. Are you active or sedentary? What is preventing you from losing weight? Can it be your desk job that requires you to sit in front of the computer all day? Is there a way to slip some activity into your busy schedules? A wise person once told me, “There is never not enough time. Time is made.” No matter how hectic your work is, your well-being matters the most. Lunch hour? Go for a walk during your lunch break or head to the gym to de-stress for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week!
[expand title=”References“]
Diet health centre. WebMD. Accessed 5/21/2017.
Assess your lifestyle. American Diabetes Association. Accessed 5/21/2017.
Neighborhood and work inventory. American Diabetes Association. Accessed 5/21/2017.
Your current health. American Diabetes Association. Accessed 5/21/2017.
Assess your environment. American Diabetes Association. Accessed 5/21/2017.
Kitchen inventory. American Diabetes Association. Accessed 5/21/2017.
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