7 Tips to Help You Stick With Exercise When Managing Type 2 Diabetes

This   article is  taken from  Everydayhealth.  I explore each bullet and how I am personally doing.
Exercise helps with weight loss; and weight loss helps to reduce your A1C.  Exercise can be as simple as walking.
1. Start slowly:  I am a walker, but my walking is still slow.  This article suggests working p to 30 minutes of brisk walking daily.  I need to add the brisk part.
2. Choose an activity you like:  I don't mind walking, and this is what I usually do.  However I would like to add some basketball and other enjoyable activities.
3. Grab a Friend:  I have failed with this regard.  Most of my walking is as I commute or as I play Pokemon during lunch.  I have not been able to interest anyone in exercising with me in the evening, even for a walk.
4. Reward Yourself Along the Way:  I have failed in this regard.  My reward is to go out to eat which defeats the whole process in the end.  This article suggest rewarding yourself with music.  This may be a better way to motivate myself.
5. Formally schedule you workouts:  Again I am not good here.  Of course commuting exercise is at the same time everyday.  However other exercise usually depends on the weather.  If it is too hot, I choose to read a book instead.  I would be  good to schedule exercise with a partner.
6. Prep for your workouts:  Again I haven't done this.    I do not lay out clothes as I am wearing work clothes. 
7. Check your blood sugar before and after exercise:  I have never done this.  This article says it is a good idea as the numbers should provide motivation to continue exercising. 

Foods that Help Fight Diabetes from Everyday Health

This article from Everyday Health promotes six foods to fight diabetes or prevent diabetes.  These foods are:

Cherries; I like cherries, but don't buy them very often because of the cost.  Maybe that will have to change.  Studies have found a significant difference with frozen cherries, and the benefits will be greater with fresh.

Black beans;  I love black beans and I select them whenever I get a chance, but maybe that is not often enough.  They are especially good with a little parmesan.

Boysenberries; Again I like Black and Boysenberries, (I am not sure of the difference) however they are so darn expensive.  Sometimes you can find them at a park and then I really enjoy.

Blueberries; Here I have a problem, I just don't care for blueberries.  I would much prefer strawberries or raspberries.

Sweet potatoes; Here the issue is the type of sweet potato.  I really like the kind we had in Argentina, which are nothing like yams.  I need to keep my eye out, because if I could replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes every once in a while, I am sure it would help a great deal.

Blue corn; Here I have the biggest problem yet.  I am not sure where you would get blue corn.  However, I guess this makes an adventure.  Because it is grown in Mexico and the Southwest, I think I will start with some Mexican super markets.

**Things that Affect Blood Sugar Levels

This is a list from Everyday Health: Eight Things You Didn't Know Affected Your Blood Sugar:
Alcohol:  Alcohol comes with extra calories, and if you mix it with sugary substances comes with sugar.   At the same time too much alcohol can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Stress: Stress can directly cause a spike in blood sugar levels.  When I burnt my back by blood levels went way up.  I attribute this to the added stress of healing.
Feeling Under the Weather:  At the same time as the burn, I came down with a bad cold (which may have been attributed to the stress of the burn as well.)  These two things spiked my sugar and I had a difficult time  getting it back down.
Medications and Supplements"  Who knows what you are taking may contribute to blood sugar levels.  Best to tell your doctor and or pharmacist everything you are taking.  SOme cold medicines have sugar in them.
Coffee:  Just the coffee itself can cause a spike, but then often sugar and creamers are added.
Extreme Exercise:  this time the worry is sugar that is too low.  Check blood level before exercise and have a high carb snack available if needed.
Diet Soda:  Even with no calories and no sugar, these things can spike sugar in other ways.
Hormones:  Hormones can effect blood sugar.  Not everyone is effected, but if you are a good journal may help.

**Diabetes and Burnout

This article entitle "On the Rebound" in the Web MD Diabetes magazine for Winter 2015 by Erin O'Donnel is the basis for this blog.  This article deals with sliding in maintaining your diabetes regimen.  What with blood checking,  and controlling carbs, and exercising, and medications, it can be a bit daunting.  And nobody is perfect.  Thinks to remember:
1) Check in with your team.  Who is it that supports you in you diabetes management.  If you have a diabetes educator now is a good time to check in.  They can help with meal planning, or other modifications to get your diabetes under control.  Check-ins can lead to positive change.
2) Don't be too perfectionistic.  Perfect control does not exist.  Blood levels fluctuate, and won't always be in the perfect range.  It is part of diabetic life.
3) Focus on victories.  Victories are there.  maybe it is an evening walk, or avoiding a late night carbohydrate intensive snack.  By focusing on the victories, you can then add maybe an extra walk per week or some small step.