World Diabetes Day: 11.14.2009 (giveaway post).

by

Subtitle: Id say ‘who knew?’ but, as evidenced by the string of words below, MizFit did.

(pauses to pat self on back)

On December 20, 2006, the general assembly of the United Nations voted to designate November 14 each year as World Diabetes Day (MizFit note: OK, I wasnt aware of any of this until recently. You guys?).

The day aims to increase an awareness of the effects of diabetes and its complications amongst all members of the Bumbling Band and not only those who suffer from it.

This is all done in hopes that, as more people become aware of diabetes, more money will be channeled toward research & *better* treatment options.

This year’s theme? Understand Diabetes and Take Control.

Did you know every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes?

Did you know every 10 seconds two people develop diabetes?

Did you know that there are currently250 million people now living with diabetes?

Did you know that people with diabetes must deliver 95% of their own care?

Those  statistics make it more important than ever for all of us, diabetic or not, to become educated about this disease.

It’s important for all of us to:

Thankfully, to help raise awareness of the risks of uncontrolled diabetes & to help give adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes a place to find answers & learn how to take action to reduce & prevent diabetes, there is a new website Diabetes Act Now.

When researching this post what I realized more than anything is the tremendous need for me to educate myself about diabetes.

Some as a prophylactic measure and lots as a what if Im faced with a situation where I need to know what to do to render aid to someone who is diabetic measure.

While tomorrow is World Diabetes Day all of November is National Diabetes MONTH.

And, while this is a serious disease, even the need to focus on dietary changes *required* post-diabetes diagnosis can include a little fun (both foods & my stammerings) as evidenced below in my Blue Bunny® No Sugar Added ice cream review.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZuIK5o_NPs

You may be entered to win FIVE free Blue Bunny ice cream products for the low low price of a comment.

Your remark may be on anything diabetes-related: from personal experience to informational tips.

Please to hit us all up in the NoSugarAdded comments below.


Winner drawn randomly, USA only, announced Monday 11.16

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Comments

  1. Thanks for posting about World Diabetes Day, Miz! Both of my parents are Type II diabetics and that’s what got me started on my whole journey pursuing better health.

    As for the ice cream products, those chocolate raspberry bars sound right up my alley! Please toss my name into the drawing. 🙂

  2. I had no idea about World Diabetes Day. Thanks Miz! Diabetes runs in my family and I really want to dodge that bullet if possible. That is one of the reasons I exercise every day… Off topic, I wanted to let you know that my cousin Laurie is responding well to her treatment and the drs are pleased. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

  3. Diabetes runs in my family (my dad). When I was “morbidly obese,” I knew it was only a matter of time before I would be diagnosed with it too. But now I live a healthy lifestyle, with nutritious food and regular exercise, and I’ve lost more than 120 pounds. I can only hope that I’ve done enough to prevent getting the disease myself.

  4. Thank you Miz for bringing attention to somehting which, it seems, has not touched you personally.

    I t has touched so many of us.

    xo xo,

    Karen

  5. I like what you pointed out about educating ourselves in case we are ever in a situation where we NEED TO KNOW.

    I didn’t realize tomorrow was World Diabetes Day and in that honor will make time today to educate myself a bit more.
    LOVE YOUR VIDEOS.

  8. We had a 20 year old friend in college who had fought diabetes from the time he was a little guy. He controlled that very aggressive disease with diet, and boy was he careful. I remember thinking, “I don’t think I could be that dedicated.” I’ve never forgotten him and his example.

    In fact, when I lost my weight I remember thinking about Sean and how he did what he did for his health and so could I.

  9. Sugar is not, as was formerly believed, the main precursor to Type II Diabetes. In fact, lack of exercise seems to be a major contributing factor.

    I’m still unsure of the healthiness of artificial sweeteners, overall, so I’ll eat my (limited) amounts of ice cream with real sugar. Besides, it tastes better (to me), and is much more satisfying that way! 🙂

    Most of my relatives have diabetes, and two of my relatives died from related complications. Thanks for bringing this discussion here.

  10. Well, I’ve said it before, but diabetes was just one of the BIG motivating factors that got me to finally start losing weight. My dad has diabetes and has quite a few serious problems from it. I am a nurse, so occasionally at work I would check my blood sugar, and it was just starting to creep up, along with my blood pressure. Don’t like doctors and don’t like taking medicine, to say nothing of DON’T LIKE THE END RESULTS of these terrible diseases. Thanks for highlighting diabetes, Miz!

  12. My father has type II diabetes and I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant, which puts me at a higher possibility of developing type II. My mother likely had gestational diabetes when she was pregnant with me, which is why I was such a large baby with a big head (hopefully filled with brains, not air). I’m likely one Snicker’s pie away from losing my foot to diabetes (Simpsons). Yet another reason why this healthkick needs to stick.

  13. I had no idea tomorrow was World Diabetes Day.
    I do have a family member that was recently diagnosed with diabetes. The sad thing is it could have been prevented by diet and even now, he refuses to change how he eats. I am not looking forward to seeing how this progresses…

  14. I was unaware that there was a World Diabetes Day. However, I am glad that the United Nations has recognized the serious problem that we have the diabetes in our world. My father is a diabetic and watching his struggle has made me more determined to adopt and maintain healthy habits as to reduce my own risk for developing this horrible disease.

  16. HEY MizFit,

    Thanks for the email. It was super sweet and I feel encouraged to delurk here and there. So diabetes is very relevant to my life. My grandfather had diabetes and my mother was diagnosed with diabetes 5 or 6 years ago. She used to be over 212lbs (she’s 5’9) and was able to lose 30-40 lbs ..she yo-yos between 270 and 285lbs. But she has to watch what she eats and I grew up in a sugar-free house. Every thanksgiving (i love baking), i bake 2 of each pie–sugar free and with sugar. And so I’ve personally seen the struggle of being a diabetic.
    It’s also a warning sign to me that in my family we are susceptible to diabetes and I need to watch my weight and health as I age. If I win the sugar-free bunny products, I’ll definitely share them with my mother who’s coming to college to visit me next week!!

  17. This is my first post, though I’ve been reading your blog and love it! Thanks for your post on World Diabetes Day. I didn’t know much about diabetes until I started working at the American Diabetes Association. There are so many myths out there about diabetes (that sugar causes it, that type 1 is the “more serious” type, that people with diabetes can’t ever eat sugar, among others), so it’s important to spread the word. Both type 1 (the autoimmune-related type) and type 2 (associated with overweight and older age) are increasing today, so it’s more important than ever to find a cure!

  18. THis is so important. My mother was pre-diabetic before she got healthier with her habits. She didn’t manage her diet before and it made her have major sugar problems. She’s not completely out of the woods now but she isn’t insulin dependant like her mother was. Getting fit now has helped tremendously.

  19. I love me some Blue Bunny, that and Skinny Cow are my splenda indulgences. Not quite as good as “real” ice cream but then they don’t unleash the “beast” either 🙂

    I worry about the kids who are getting this disease, it’s so sad. My ex father-in-law was a Type 2, he never even tried to change his diet or exercise. Just sits in his chair and eats.

  20. My mom is a type two diabetic and it is so difficult. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight since I am probably predisposed to it as well. I hope that raising awareness will encourage people to change their lifestyles and live healthier lives!

  21. I was well on my way to diabetes. Prior to changing my lifestyle and loosing close to 100lbs I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I am happy to say that is no longer the case and my glucose levels are back in the normal range. But that doesn’t mean I feel like I’m in the clear….because of my history my chances of developing full blown diabetes are higher.

    It scared the crap out of me and was one of the major reasons I made the changes I did. I watched two grandparents struggle with and eventually die because of complications of this disease. I don’t want that to happen to me and I really am committed to keeping my nutrition and activity level in check.

  22. I was at a raw foods prep class last night and met a man who suffers from diabetes- he was taking the class to learn more about how he can use nutrition to help with his illness. Kind of neat to hear his thoughts on it all.

  24. My uncle Warren was diabetic. He refused to comply with his Physician’s recommendations… and he died at 57.

    My doctor told me I was “pre-diabetic” in 2008. As of now, with 64 pounds gone, I am no longer considered to be pre-diabetic.

    I listened and learned.

    BTW: A a Georgia-born-andbred gal, I LUUURRVEEE Butter Pecan! ;0

  25. I grew up with a friend (Janie B) who had diabetes – boy, she went through a lot. My uncle, who was overweight, was diagnosed with Type II as an adult and proceeded to lose weight and had it under control for quite a few year…but he eventually gained the weight back, got sick and died at 50, which was just so heartbreaking.

    I really hope that by getting my excess weight off, I’ve avoided this disease.

  26. Hi Miz!
    Thanks for checking out my blog the other day…I am new to all of this stuff so I appreciate you taking the time to come visit mine for a few!

    I actually used to babysit for a girl who had juvenile diabetes…what an interesting life they are forced to lead from so early on! So much responsibility and such an advanced consciousness of what food they put into their mouths at such a young age! I feel like most of us (I know for myself it’s true) it can be a chore to constantly track what I eat for weight-control reasons…but for someone with diabetes, it is a necessity, not a choice. If they don’t monitor the foods they eat, it could be life or death.

    Thanks for sharing your story!
    Amy

  27. Most scary to me is the fact that the skyrocketing childhood obesity rates are causing so many kids to get this terrible disease.

  28. If I win I will give the ice cream to my mom who was recently diagnosed w/ diabetes. Scary to think. You always hear about the disease affecting people who are obese, but my mom is a healthy weight and ate well prior to her diagnoses. Most people don’t know there are two types. Thanks for all the awareness Miz!

  29. My FIL is an insulin dependent diabetic and my MIL is struggling with borderline diabetes believed to be brought on after Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer. This would be a wonderful option for them. They both enjoy a treat now and then but feel like they can’t indulge with the kids when they have ice cream. This would be a great way for them to feel like part of the fun again! Thank you Miz for sharing with us today!

  30. I wish there were more information available on the earliest symptoms/early warning signs (or maybe I am not looking in the right places). Early intervention seems key.

    No thanks on the ice creams; I completely avoid artificial sweeteners (but I do understand their value to diabetics.)

  31. I had no idea it was WDD either. I am not diabetic though I know a diabetic. I think the potential is there for just about all of us depending on our bodies, our food intake, exercise, and genetics.
    I also am relatively sure that the govt and food related govt agencies don’t seem to give a ratsass.

  32. Thanks so much, Miz, for spreading the word about diabetes. From what I’ve read and heard, there does seem to be a strong genetic component to all types of diabetes. It’s great to hear of so many people making the changes that will help preserve their beta cell functionality.

    I also followed a Yahoo group for awhile, and it surprised me how many people do not have proper access to diabetes education. There are a lot of good resources online, but one I thought was especially good is the UCSF Diabetes Teaching Center (http://dtc.ucsf.edu/index.html); it has training for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A couple of other resources I like are the books “Blood Glucose 101” by Janet Ruhl (there’s also a companion web site) and “The Diabetic Athlete” by Dr. Sheri Colberg (probably more relevant for type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 athletes, but it covers a huge range of sports).

    And YES to exercise. My diabetes nurse educator “prescribed” 5 days for 30 minutes; it does not need to be intense, but it does need to be consistent. She said it was as important as taking metformin for me in managing my diabetes. She was right.

  34. What a fantastic post!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for today & the guest post yesterday! Yes, many of my relatives have/had diabetes due to failure to lose weight & eat right. They knew what they needed to do BUT just did not do it. To me, if the doc says your health, you should listen but as we know, many do not unfortunately!

    Well, all them babies you showed on your video sounded good to me.. ALL! 🙂 Plus my hubby LOVES ice cream so maybe this is a nice alternative for him!!!

    Miz, you are just doing good everywhere & in so many ways!!!! You make my head spin at how much you are doing & like I said in another post or comment, I can’t remember due to age (HA!), but I am going to see you all over TV soon!

    Have a good trip!

  35. 1. Far too much processed foods
    2. Too many calories per meal
    3. Highly saturated foods
    4. Far too much red meat
    5. Too many carbs

    All this causes insulin overload and then insulin resistance as the cells stop responding to the insulin messages to store excess sugars in the blood. Next step, diabetes.

    The http://mediterraneandiet.tv has a video on how a meaditerranean diet can help diabetics.

    Nice muscle definition by the way. You must workout for a couple of hours pretty much everyday.

  36. I have a friend in stage 5 renal failure from diabetes. Also night blindness.

    Good reminder to all of us that this is about more than numbers and looking pretty. 🙂

  37. I had no idea it was World Diabetes Day!

    My Gram is diabetic, but thankfully, is able to control it with diet and medication (no isulin). Her sisters both died of diseases related to diabetes. She’s always been fearful, but because she was given the proper nutritional information, she has been able to manage her diabetes for the past 20 years without complications.

  38. I work in a school clinic and have watched an increase in diabetes diagnosis during my 10 years there. Those kids are amazing though. I have witnessed some of them change from 3 year olds who required 100% care, to being able to care for themselves, count their carbs and recognize and treat their sugar lows.

    I am glad to see an awareness day designated for diabetes “education”, but I too knew nothing about it.

  40. So many older people at my work are being diagnosed with diabetes lately and having to change their lifestyles. Its a real eye opener. Just like cancer it used to be i knew few if any people with it but now i know so many…….. Please enter me in your drawing sounds wonderful! Especially that tub of cheese cake flavored one that you emptied! 🙂

  43. Thanks for bringing attention to this disease. My uncle died from complications from diabetes and my older brother was just diagnosed. Hopefully, the links you included in this post will give me some tips on how to support my brother as he learns to control this potentially deadly disease.

  46. I have Type II and I thank you for spreading the word about Diabetes. And, I’m all about the Blue Bunny so I’d love to win!

  47. Thanks so much Miz for focusing on this disease.
    Cancer seems to get so much attention and diabetes is a killer as well.

    THANK YOU.

  48. My father in law was dibetic and controlled his by his diet but when he got a sore in Australia and it was not treated properly I saw what diabetes can do to a person. After seeing what my father in law went thru for the last couple of years of his life – this is a disease I would not wish on my worst enemy!

  49. Diabetes is a nasty disease, but it is CONTROLLABLE! I don’t like gloom and doom and scare tactics. A healthy lifestyle is important. Exercise is crucial. A positive attitude is essential. Education is important, so thanks! And Blue Bunny is great. :~)

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