FIVE HABITS THAT MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DIABETES

NERDTWIST

Ask yourself: Do any
of these six habits
sound familiar? If so,
you may be
contributing to your
risk of getting this
deadly disease. Not
all diseases can be prevented with proper
diet and exercise, but with diabetes, those
two go a long way.
1. Your Idea of Exercise is Reaching for the
Remote
If channel-flipping is your idea of working
out, then you are at a much greater risk of
getting diagnosed. People with sedentary
lifestyles are far more likely to obtain
diabetes. In fact several studies suggest a
strong correlation between watching TV,
weight gain, and the development of diabetes
— independent of diet and exercise.
2. Soda and Sugary Drinks Are Your Go-To
Refreshment
It has long been known that copious sugar
intake, along with family history, is one of the
largest contributors to developing diabetes.
Soda and other sugary drinks are the easiest
and fastest way to consume sugar. Even
worse is the perception that drinking calories
and sugar are somehow not as bad for you
as eating sweets. One of the easiest ways to
reduce your sugar intake is to replace your
current beverage of choice with water or
another low-sugar beverage.
3. It’s Been a While Since You’ve Seen Your
Feet
Now is the time for a staggering statistic:
Studies show that those diagnosed with type
2 diabetes are also diagnosed with
overweight or obesity in 80 to 90 percent of
the cases. You don’t need to have your Ph.D.
to see the incredible correlation between
diabetes and being overweight or obese. If
you are, it would strongly benefit you to start
a diet and exercise regimen before it’s too
late.
4. You Take the Elevator — to the Second
Floor
This one picks up where bad habit #3 leaves
off. One of the greatest risk factors of getting
diabetes is living a sedentary lifestyle. If you
are one of those who avoids taking the steps
at all costs – it will most likely cost you more
in the long run. In addition to practicing good
eating habits, it is extremely important to
work exercise into your daily routine. (Even if
you are limited by age or disability there is
most likely something you can do to remain
physically active.) Avoiding a sedentary
lifestyle is not only good for your social life,
but for your health!In my opinion, if a
patient of mine were to walk 20 minutes a
day for each pill he takes for diabetes, he’d
see in a few months that he no longer needs
to be taking as many pills. With all the
savings on prescriptions, that money could
easily be reallocated to your new wardrobe —
like, say, some great walking shoes!
5. When You Enter a Room, Your Gut Goes
First
Does size matter? Ahh, the age old question…
No, not that question! In the case of diabetes
size definitely matters. Your mid-section is
your ‘gauge’ to alert you that you may be
heading towards a diagnosis of diabetes.
Speak to your doctor if you are overweight
and have any additional risk factors outlined
in this article.