Start small!
Diabetes is an overwhelming disease that can take over your life and health. My suggestion, whether you are newly diagnosed or not is to break goals up into small pieces. Rather than look at all the things your doctor wants you to do like test X times a day, eat better, and exercise, pick one goal and split it into little pieces and build on success. For example, let's say you were just diagnosed with type II and the doctor wants you to test your blood 3 times a day, change your eating, and start exercising. Pick one of these to start working on, like eating better. Start by not going out for fast food for a week. Once you achieve that goal, cut something out of your diet that you know is not good for you, like chips or the Hungry Man frozen dinners. Try that for a week and when you get the hang of it, pick something else to change or adjust. Within a month or two, you have made major progress towards your goal of eating better and you can pat yourself on the back. Then keep going and adding to the success.
Remember that a goal should be SMART:
Specific-What do you want to accomplish? How will you do it? Why do you want to do it?
Measurable-how will you know you have attained the goal? Say I want to lose 10lbs, not I want to lose weight.
Attainable-Goals you set which are too far out of your reach, you probably won't do. Be honest with yourself.
Realistic-is this goal do-able? Is it something I can really do? If you are a chocoholic then setting a goal you will never eat chocolate again is not a realistic goal for you.
Time limited- Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, next month, or by a certain date. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.
It takes time to learn new habits and building on success is key for long term success. Don't be too hard on yourself, this is a learning process for all of us!
Remember that a goal should be SMART:
Specific-What do you want to accomplish? How will you do it? Why do you want to do it?
Measurable-how will you know you have attained the goal? Say I want to lose 10lbs, not I want to lose weight.
Attainable-Goals you set which are too far out of your reach, you probably won't do. Be honest with yourself.
Realistic-is this goal do-able? Is it something I can really do? If you are a chocoholic then setting a goal you will never eat chocolate again is not a realistic goal for you.
Time limited- Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, next month, or by a certain date. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.
It takes time to learn new habits and building on success is key for long term success. Don't be too hard on yourself, this is a learning process for all of us!
Tags: change, goals, overwhelming, simple, steps
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by steve on -
All good suggestions. First, I think we have to slow down to take stock of our lives right now. Take sometime to smell the roses. Issues could be better confronted this way. After that---- Take no prisoners :-)
Steve -
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Permalink Reply by Judith on -
Baby steps! Do you know that great book---"Know Your Numbers"? Very helpful in getting focused on choosing manageable goals and then moving onto another.....
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Permalink Reply by Suzanne on -
I do not know that book but I will pick it up, thanks for the suggestion. I work with alot of type 2 clients and maybe I can use this book with them....
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Permalink Reply by Angela Marie Rowe-Guenther on -
I like to walk. Now that the weather is getting better (and hoping that it stays that way) I will be putting my iPod on and walking an hr. a day 30 min in the morning and 30 in the evening. I feel pretty good after I walk and really like that feeling. I know that walking can be boring at times but there are a lot of things you can do while you are walking. Baby steps and one day at a time. For all of us out there who are working hard to do right for you body and health, good luck and don't forget that we are here to help each other.
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Permalink Reply by Suzanne on
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Angela,
Good for you getting out there and walking! My next goal is adding exercise to my day to day regimen. I should heed my own advice here and start small, hahahaha.... But seriously, I am glad I have all of you in this community to help inspire me, it means so much! THANK YOU! -
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Permalink Reply by Judith on
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Suzanne---When I was first diagnosed and completely terrified and obsessive, my husband I found this book calming and helpful in getting focussed. It's probably simpistic if you've been at it a long time, but it helped me a lot. So here's a link (if it works) to it at our world renowned independent, block-size independent bookstore, Powell's---
Okay the link isn't showing up.The full title is Know Your Numbers...Outlive Your Diabetes.....
Be well..... -
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Permalink Reply by Andreina Davila on -
I a a stronger believer of taking baby but determined steps to take get were you want in life.
when it pertains to health, even more, there are so many things to do and to taking in consideration, that it is very important to be aware that little by little you can get to your go... I love the way you put your SMART steps: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time limited.
Suzanne, please don't forget to go HERE if you want your submission to be considered in the contest and get votes. You have to add it using the “I suggest…” box. Make sure to include the title of your submission, the URL linking back to the submission and a 2-3 line summary explaining what the submission is about. I will be waiting for you to add it so I can vote for your idea! :) -
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