this is diabetesthis is diabetesTips about living with diabetes from you, the people who know bestTips about living with diabetes from you, the people who know best

welcome

We know living with diabetes is complicated, and that everyone’s story is different. That’s why our new campaign is showing what diabetes is really like by sharing real stories. Just like our campaign, we couldn’t have made this book without you and other people with diabetes. It’s full of tips about diabetes, written by people with diabetes – covering everything from how to find hobbies you love to finding support when you need it.

We hope you’ll find these tips helpful – whether it’s for inspiration, knowing that others are going through the same, or to share with your friends and family.

We’d like to thank everyone who has shared their tips and advice with us. At Diabetes UK, we know how important it is to share know-how, bring people together and create a supportive community for everyone affected by diabetes.

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You might recognise some of the faces in this book. They shared their stories for our This is Diabetes campaign. Like you, they live with diabetes day in, day out, so they know what you’re going through.

hear from our storytellers

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself I could do it. I didn’t think I could at first. But after a few days, I realised I could. I could do the maths. I could weigh her food.

Jayne and Mike, parents to Libby, who lives with type 1

Exercise helped me come out of my depression. It stopped me binge eating. It’s also helped me talk to people about what I’ve been through. Exercise changed my whole body and nutrition but it also helps my mind. Liz, lives with type 2

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You’re not alone in living with diabetes – there are thousands of people going through the same thing. If you’re struggling, find a community you can go to. Tap out a message, send it and appreciate the support that comes back. It’s incredible and powerful.

Jon, lives with type 1

I’m trying to lead a more holistic, spiritual lifestyle. I do a lot of dog walks, enjoying the fresh air. I’ve found meditation is helpful too. Leading a healthy lifestyle means that for as long as I live, I want to be healthy and well.

Snita, lives with type 2 now in remission

I want other young people with diabetes to know that there is nothing wrong with you, and that it’s not the end of your life. I am now in the best place possible because of the experiences I’ve had as a result of what I’ve been through. Just because you live with diabetes, doesn’t mean you should feel unwelcome or out of place in any situation!

Kaajal, lives with type 1

There can be a stigma that comes with a diabetes diagnosis. I try not to beat myself up about the diagnosis – it’s not my fault. It’s about my body telling me it needs a bit of extra support. I try to live my life as normal as possible and keep enjoying the things I do.Gina, lives with type 2

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this is advice

My diabetes gets me down at times, but I can forget everything while running, even when checking my levels every mile. You can clear your mind on the road.

Gareth, lives with type 1

Try building activity into your everyday life. That way, you won’t even notice you’re exercising, but will achieve the benefits. It will also help you feel good throughout the day.Rumit, lives with type 2

Keeping a brutally honest food diary made me realise I wasn’t taking good enough care of myself.Nettie, lives with type 2 now in remission

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When I’m open water swimming, I feel so peaceful. It’s almost like meditating. I’ve had to learn how temperature and exercise affect my blood sugar levels and that hasn’t always been easy, but it’s absolutely been worth it.

Simon Biagi, lives with type 1, TV presenter and Diabetes UK supporter

I took up running and now manage a running group for people with diabetes. If someone had said to me that at 70 I’d be running half marathons, I’d have laughed. The boot camps started me on that journey. But it was diabetes that made me get fitter in the first place.

Susan, lives with type 2

Don’t compare your diet and eating habits to anybody else. Enjoy food. It’s not the enemy. Paul, lives with type 1

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Volunteering at my local Peace Garden helps me cope. Being active and outdoors in a beautiful landscape soothes the spirit. Oddly, the more effort I put into planting, weeding, mowing, moving soil and gravel and leaf clearing, the more relaxed I feel. Added to that is the good-humoured companionship of the other volunteers.

Andy, lives with type 3c

Every week at my walking group, the others will ask what you’ve been doing to be healthier. That encourages me because you have to be accountable to others. You depend on them, and they depend on you, so what’s the point if you don’t do what you’ve said you’ll do?

Manoj, lives with type 2

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As a family, we sit down and plan a menu together each week – it’s our Thursday night ritual. I think planning is absolutely essential and helps me a lot. Sarah, lives with type 2

A few years ago, I realised that walking a mile or so at a moderate pace seemed to be the key to preventing my blood sugar from spiking mid-morning. I started a daily walk. I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve lost weight, and I’ve improved my control.

David, lives with type 1

Keeping active has really helped my diabetes, I try to move every hour of my working day. I love hula-hooping – I use a weighted hoop and it’s much easier. Sugar-free microsquashes also help me stay hydrated, especially when I’m doing activity. I used to think I was hungry, but I was actually thirsty!

Toddy, lives with type 2

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Getting my portions under control was key. If you’re carb counting for insulin, as I was, you can get into a mindset that you could have a piece of cake, and you’ll just have to take more insulin for it. I didn’t used to consider that my body was trying to tell me that eating cake is not the best idea.

Alan, lives with type 2

When I was trying to lose weight, I learned to tune into the signals coming from my body and can now recognise what I call ‘real hunger’, rather than eating for a quick mood fix.

I eat for nutrients and enjoyment, and I always consider how many carbs my food has for my insulin needs. I also always try to leave space for a little extra.

Laura, lives with type 1

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this is support

The day I was diagnosed was the day that I won, because diabetes has taught me the value of my life, the value of my health, and the value of really caring for myself.

Winnie, lives with type 1

Rather than listening to the voice inside my head that’s saying, “this is terrible, think of the damage this is doing,” I ask myself what I would say if I was trying to calm a child or my best friend if they were going through this.

Caroline, lives with type 1

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I’ve had to educate myself and overcome the challenges that my diabetes presents, but I don’t ‘suffer’ from it. I live with it. I’m proud of being a diabetic. It’s created adversity for me and that’s given me that extra bit of fight.

Muhammad Ali, lives with type 1, professional boxer and Diabetes UK supporter

Talking about my fear of hypos made me realise that managing my blood sugar is not controlling myself, but controlling my condition. I couldn’t have got by without the support of my wife, of Diabetes UK, or the psychologist who convinced me to take control and not allow the condition to control me.

Tim, lives with type 1

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I need to plan everything and that puts me on edge. I know it sounds cliché, but simply picking up the phone and talking to my dad helps. I plan as much as I can and talk to people. I also make sure my friends and flatmates know what to do if things go wrong.

Harriet, lives with type 1

A nurse showed me how to use a blood glucose monitor and that helped me to see which foods kept my blood sugar steady and which sent it stratospheric. I still have bad days, but I’ve learned that I can survive intense emotions without binging on food. I never would have chosen to have diabetes, but it’s shown me that I’m more resilient than I realised.

Diane, lives with type 2

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The doctor who delivered my baby let me keep my insulin pump and let my husband take control of my Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). Being given a tiny bit of control in that situation made a massive difference.Hannah, lives with type 1

One day, during an appointment with the diabetes nurse, I found myself sobbing that I just wanted diabetes to give me a break. She referred me to the diabetes psychologist. There, I picked up tips such as mindful eating – breaking down the process and feelings of eating a biscuit, for instance. Also, it helped me to realise it was ok to feel hungry at times and wait for my next meal, and the importance of planning.

Zena, lives with type 2

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When my daughter was preparing for her GCSEs, I made an appointment with the exams officer to highlight the implications of diabetes during an exam. There’s a really good exams pack on the Diabetes UK website. It explains the legal need to allow students extra time to deal with hypos or high blood sugar, and gives advice on what they can take into the exam.

Helen, mum to Maddie, who lives with type 1

My advice to other parents of children with diabetes would be to continue to let them be in the driving seat, but take over the controls when they need you to. Diabetes is hard, but it’s a condition that people can do really well with when they have love and support.

James, dad to Morgan, who lives with type 1

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I think, for me, the key is to step back and try to snap out of it. If I’ve had a really bad day, I never beat myself up. I just say, “that was yesterday, today’s another day. Start afresh.”

Devanshi, lives with type 1

When I was first diagnosed, adopting a healthy lifestyle seemed very daunting, and adjusting to my medication and the changes in lifestyle was challenging. I grieved the loss of my health and the ability to eat whatever I wanted. But a little voice inside reminded me that every journey begins with a step.

I decided to educate myself about diabetes, food and nutrition. I also joined the Diabetes UK support forum and got useful tips on diet. It was exhausting at first, but I now manage my condition with diet and exercise.

Agnes, lives with type 2

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this is our diabetes community

If you have type 2 diabetes, read about diet and how it impacts your condition. Diabetes UK has so many great resources online, and if you’re concerned about anything, you can call them for advice. We’re here to help each other.

Rustie Lee, lives with type 2, celebrity chef and Diabetes UK supporter

Photo by Marie-Louise Avery

An interesting ‘side effect’ of using a FreeStyle Libre is that there have been times people have come up to me and said: “I’ve got one as well!” It’s been great, being able to have a chat to others. When I meet people with diabetes, I do want to talk about it.

Sarah, lives with type 1

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Educating myself about diabetes made me feel much less alone. When I started to come to terms with my diabetes and began making healthy changes, I realised I’d never had a clear head before. Now I can deal with anything.

Sandra, lives with type 2

Leaving my paediatric diabetes specialist nurse when I went to uni was almost like leaving a member of my family, but moving into adult care did make sense, because I was at a stage where I had to rely on myself more and more. Someone at a Diabetes UK event mentioned a university Facebook group called ‘Insulin Army’, for university students. It’s always good to have support and someone understanding to talk to.

Kurtis, lives with type 1

If I could go back in time, I’d tell my nine-year-old, newly diagnosed self, that things will get easier. 10 months after my diagnosis, at a Diabetes UK family event, I met other children with type 1 and made friends that I’m still in touch with 17 years on. Diabetes feels isolating when you start out, but it’s not a really rare disease where you’re the only one out there.

Chloe, lives with type 1

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HelplineIf you’re looking for advice, you’re having a tough day or just want to talk to someone who understands diabetes, our helpline is here Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm. Call 0345 123 2399 or email helpline@diabetes.org.uk to chat to our team.

diabetes.org.uk/how_we_help/helpline

Forum Swap stories and advice with other people with diabetes, their families and carers on our online Support Forum.

forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards

We’re here for you every step of the way

Learning Zone Join over 100,000 people on Learning Zone – our free, tailored online learning tool – and get advice and tips to help you discover more about your diabetes.

learningzone.diabetes.org.uk

If you would like to find out more about our work at Diabetes UK and how you can get involved, from volunteering and campaigning, to taking part in our life-changing challenge events, visit our website.

diabetes.org.uk/get_involved

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The British Diabetic Association operating as Diabetes UK, a charity registered in England and Wales (no. 215199) and in Scotland (no. SC039136). A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with no. 00339181 and registered office at Wells Lawrence House, 126 Back Church Lane London E1 1FH. © Diabetes UK 2021 JN016 102020EINT

Thank you to everyone for sharing your tips and making this book possible. We couldn’t have done it without you.

From all of us at Diabetes UK