Goal Setting with Diabetes

Reviewing goals periodically is critical to achieving the level of success you want. Taking personal situations into account can make a big difference in both how you feel and what you target.

Diabetics need exercise just like everyone else. But that exercise can actually make a difference in blood glucose numbers. The timing of the exercise needs to be determined with your dr or Diabetes Educator. Then, and that's an absolute 'then' you make a date with yourself for exercise each and every day at the same time. Consistency in exercise timing and intensity benefits your control of diabetes.

There is goal number 1 - Exercise at the same time and same intensity daily. Notice this isn't a periodic or episodic goal...gotta do it daily to avoid the complications of diabetes, such as blindness or heart problems.

Counting carbohydrates is the bane of a diabetic's existence. Calories matter for weight control, but carbohydrates also matter for the diabetic. One of the many nice things about the Spark People Nutrition Tracker is its inclusion of carbohydrate counts for foods listed. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the carb counts of food and drink is valuable to controling your Blood Glucose numbers in an ongoing manner. Knowledge is power...and you can control diabetes by knowing your carbs for each meal and snack.

Goal number 2 - familiarize myself with carb count by foods AND maintain an acceptable number for each meal and snack.

Weight loss provides diabetics, like everyone else, with improved health and longevity. There are benefits that are not surprising, but are beneficial. Achieving a weight loss of reasonable amounts per week is rewarding and takes one toward the long term goal that is set.

Goal number 3 - lose an average of two pounds per week for the next 3 months to achieve a weight loss of no less than 20 pounds.

There are other goals I am setting, but each of the first three are targeting improved diabetic health. If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, all of the above may apply to you.