Diabetes Awareness: He Found the Reason to Change

Fritz Burkey thought he was going to the gym often enough. He seemed to be doing OK with his health and fitness despite the slow but steady weight gain over the years.

Then his doctor told Fritz, 61, that he was pre-diabetic.

And Fritz got serious about losing weight, gaining strength, and arming himself with healthier habits.

“Step 1 was figuring out my motivation,” says Fritz, a lawyer, “I want to be around for my kids. I want to be active and healthy as I get older. I damn sure don’t want to get diabetes.”

Now, after increasing the number and intensity of his gym visits, Fritz has reached his goal weight and even set a new one. He’s feeling better, eating right, and on a path that’s making his doctor happy.

Exercise and Eating Are Crucial in Fighting Diabetes

In the United States and Canada, November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a great time to highlight the link between exercise, diet, and the disease, especially for people over 50.

The American Diabetes Association says 30 million Americans have diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes Canada says someone in the country is diagnosed every three minutes.

A person’s weight is a major factor. Exercise and proper eating are essential in preventing and managing diabetes.

The ADA says we can take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes, the most common form. “Stay at a healthy weight, eat well, and be active. With these steps, you can stay healthier longer and lower your risk of diabetes.”

The ADA defines type 2 diabetes as “characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in young people.”

Among Americans aged 65 and older, 25.2 percent or 12 million people have diabetes, the ADA says

If you think you might be at risk, talk to your doctor. If you have been diagnosed, know about proper eating and exercising and care for yourself daily.

How exercise helps
Physical activity:

Helps lower blood glucose, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides
Lowers risk for pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke
Relieves stress
Strengthens the heart, muscles and bones
Improves blood circulation and tones muscles
Improves flexibility and reduces inflammation

And no, you’re not too old to start.
“Even if you’ve never exercised before, you can find ways to add physical activity to your day,” the ADA says. “Even if your activities aren’t strenuous, you’ll still get health benefits.”
For Fritz, it’s been purposeful resistance and high-intensity interval training, learning about diet, eliminating sugar and how his body uses energy, and monitoring his progress every day.
“The toughest part,” he says, “was deciding to change.”

>Let us show you the healthy path to preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes and other ailments common later in life.

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