Raise your hand if you, too, didn’t realize that the year just went by. As we all know, new year is a great time to assess how your year has been, learn from your mistakes, and make better choices. From losing weight to quitting smoking, we all have our list ready, but for people with diabetes, new year’s resolutions can take on altogether different meanings. For them, it is more about diabetes management than just about losing extra weight.
Below are five creative and healthy ideas on how people with diabetes can set their goals smartly to ace their new year’s resolutions for effective diabetes management.
Here is a List of 5 Creative New Year Resolutions For Diabetes Management
Make Your Insulin Work Harder
Insulin effectiveness can differ from person to person; it depends on the type of insulin. Promise yourself to improve your insulin sensitivity by adopting healthy strategies and managing diabetes naturally for the new year.
One of the key ways to do the same would be by including 30 minutes of exercise in your daily regime. Also, losing weight is an effective way to increase insulin sensitivity.
Try to stay hydrated all the time. In order to not get bored, try to create a workout regime that has a mix of cardio such as jogging and running. Also, don’t forget to keep a backup of your glucometer strips.
Say YES to Good Food
Starting a new diet plan this new year is undoubtedly on everyone’s minds! So, another new year resolution for people with diabetes is that you must make yourself say yes to good food. This year, do not opt for convenience and instead focus on having a healthy, nutritional, and balanced diet.
Focus on eating whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, and other forms of non-processed food. Try adding herbs and spices such as fenugreek seeds, ginger, garlic, turmeric, and a few extra shots of green tea in your daily routine. Cut out on ultra-processed foods since they are loaded with fatty and sugary ingredients.
Regular and timely meals help keep your blood sugar stable, prevent overeating, and set you up to make a healthy life for yourself.
Know Your Numbers as Nicely as You Know Your Friends
This should be the year when you start understanding your blood sugar levels as nicely as you know your friends or phone. Know the ABCs of your body, precisely, your A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels of your body. A significant goal to add to your new year’s resolutions is lowering your hemoglobin A1c.
Although each person might have different levels based on their condition, it is ideal to have A1c levels less than 7%, blood pressure to be 130-140/80, and cholesterol levels to be less than 100.
Keeping an eye on your A1C is one of the best ways for your doctor to tell if your diabetes is managed well. It can help you make better-informed decisions about your health.
Consult Your Diabetes Educator Every 2-4 Weeks
Apart from scheduling appointments for annual examinations with your podiatrist, endocrinologist, and dentist, ensure to consult your diabetes educator every 2-4 weeks for a regular checkup, including blood work such as an A1C test.
It is necessary for the effective management of diabetes. This will help you change your diet and lifestyle based on your needs and condition. Moreover, this will also enable you to clear your doubts, if any.
Read More: How to Celebrate a Diabetes-Friendly Dussehra
Improve Your Lifestyle
Before starting your new year, examine your current hygiene and lifestyle to understand how to improve. For instance, quit smoking if you are a smoker, do not eat junk whenever and wherever you go, stay hydrated, etc. Ensure to check your feet every day to spot cuts, blisters, or sores. Keep track of your blood sugar levels by checking them a few times a day. Wear socks to protect your feet.
Managing diabetes is not that hard when you have the necessary discipline. New Year is one of the best times to recommit yourself to control your diabetes. With parties and social gatherings that happen around this time, do not forget to monitor blood sugar, plan healthy meals, exercise, take medications, and get regular checkups. Have a great time, enjoy your New Year by sticking to your resolutions, and have a healthy life with diabetes.
Download the BeatO App to manage your blood sugar levels with BeatO health coaches.
