American Diabetes Association Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test
American Diabetes Association Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test.
As the daughter and granddaughter of Type 2 diabetics and the mother of Neonatal Diabetics, I am well aware of the signs of diabetes. Unfortunately, I have also been the witness to the complications of Type 2 diabetes. You would think that I would be one of the healthiest women because of this knowledge but I’m not.
I took the ADA test today and found out my risk is Medium. My risk factors are family history, low activity level, and a higher than normal BMI. It’s not like I didn’t know this before but seeing it in black and white kind of makes me sick to my stomach. I know I need to exercise more and lose weight. I’ve lost 4 pounds since the beginning of the year, but I also know I’m not doing enough.
Like most parents of children with a chronic illness, I hyper-focus on my children’s health, but only spend about 5 minutes thinking about my own health. I don’t take good care of myself. But I am slowly doing better each and every day. For the last two weeks, I’ve been cooking healthier food (i.e. whole grain, low/no sugar, lower fat, lower sodium, higher fiber and protein). In fact I’ve only done take-out food one night in the last 11 or so days and that was the day I spent 4 hours at the car dealer waiting for my van to be fixed. I was even proud of myself when we went out to eat Sunday after church. I ordered the healthiest thing they had on the menu and it was only 320 calories and very healthy!
I’m not saying I plan on being perfect in my eating habits. I know myself. I know my weaknesses. But I can start making a conscious decision to make healthier choices for myself and my family. If I want to live to see my children’s children’s children (which I plan on doing), I will have to get healthy and active.
Take this test, make healthier choices, see your doctor for a physical every year (oops, need to make my appointment, LOL). Know the risk, know the signs.
