What's So Funny About Diabetes: Go For the Gold

I admit it: I’m an Olympics junkie! Right now, as I’m writing these words, they’re showing Usian Bolt receive the Gold Medal.  He has once again been recognized as the world’s fastest man.  And let us give credit where credit is due: running 100 meters in less than 10 seconds is pretty amazing!

Do you know what else is amazing?  Successfully managing your diabetes, day in and day out, week after week, month after month, year after year after year. We hear so much about the dedication and determination of Olympic athletes – but hardly a peep about the drive, skill, and strength it takes to take care of yourself when you have diabetes.

Well, that’s enough of that! Today, in honor of the 2012 Olympic Games, I invite you to award yourself with an honorary Gold Medal.  You may not be running 100 meters in 10 seconds – but you’re running a marathon race against your pancreas, and it never ever stops.

The good news is that you’re winning. When it comes to taking care of your health, nobody wants it more than you do. Nobody works harder. Nobody can test your sugar for you, nor make you say “No Thanks!” instead of “Give me that cheesecake!”  It’s your dedication and determination that keeps you healthy and well. That’s worthy of some serious recognition.

Stand up and celebrate.  Let the people around you know how well you’re managing your diabetes.  Make sure YOU know how well you’re doing. It’s very easy to take our own accomplishments completely for granted – even when they’re Olympic in scale! Giving yourself a Gold Medal every now and then ( or a chance to see your favorite band play live, or a trip to enjoy the beach – whatever you consider to be a great reward for a significant effort) not only provides serious emotional validation for all the hard work you’re doing (which is important!) but it also helps you remain motivated to keep working hard at having fun – the best thing you can do to help effectively manage your diabetes.