We know that there is a health disparity in this country. And that people of color are more likely NOT to have the health resources they need to thrive. The Covid-19 pandemic has only made those disparities — and the structural discrimination they are rooted in — all the more apparent. Black Americans have been dying at about 2.4 times the rate of white Americans.
Let me share with you guys some statistics: forgive me in advance, but as a social scientist and researcher, I love to share evidence-based information.
- Every 17 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes.
- According to the CDC, 26 million Americans are Type 2 Diabetic, while 79 million are prediabetic.
- People with all types of diabetes often spend $16,750 per year on medical expenses. More than half of that amount ($9,600) is directly related to diabetes.
- In the United States, every year, about 73,000 amputations of the lower limb not related to trauma are performed on people with diabetes.
- Due to underlying conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes African Americans are more likely to die because of contracting Covid-19.
I know that these statistics sound alarming and may cause some of you to lose hope. But, I want you to understand the facts so that you can be proactive when creating a health and wellness plan that works for you. Research conducted by the CDC and the American Diabetes Association has shown that you can delay or prevent your chances of becoming Type 2 Diabetic by eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and losing weight. If you have already been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, you can use these same tools to manage your diabetes successfully and even go into remission from the disease.
Of course, this is not new information, we all know what to do to lose weight, we know that we should eat healthier, move our bodies, reduce our stress, drink more water, and get more sleep. For some of us, it can be a bit overwhelming to put all the pieces together into a cohesive wellness plan, and so we begin to feel stuck and overwhelmed.
I want to help you guys take the overwhelm out of taking control of your health. My advice is to focus on one thing for the next 28 days. If you need longer to perfect your adherence to your one thing, then take it just keep trying.
Your one thing can be to drink more water, walk 20 minutes every day, create a morning and evening routine that leaves you rested and ready to take on the day. The important thing is to choose the right one thing for you that will move the needle just 5% towards wellness. Once you feel comfortable with doing your one thing, then you can add another piece of the wellness puzzle.
Drop your goal in the comments so that we can cheer for you and hold you accountable. Accountability is a crucial success factor in your wellness plan. I have a trainer I meet twice a week at the gym, plus I plug my exercise and macros into an app so that she can see them each day. She is my accountability partner, so find a friend and hold each other to the promise you are making today. To make your health a priority.
It is time for you to take control of your health, your life depends upon it, and we want you around for a long time.
With love and peace,
Renee
If this is our first time meeting, I am a Certified Diabetes Lifestyle Coach, and I am on a mission to reduce the number of amputations, and the number of people who die each year due to complications from Type 2 Diabetes. I have two free gifts for you Learn how to drink responsibly with the Ultimate Booze Guide and 7 Ways to Balance Your Blood Sugar and Beat Sugar Cravings I believe you can take control of your health and fall in love with your body again. Peace!
The Diabetic Toolbox 