Prediabetes is a lesser known condition than diabetes, but it requires many of the same lifestyle changes as a diabetes diagnosis itself. It basically means that your body has begun to lose the ability to take sugars into body cells for energy. By the time an individual reaches the level of impairment considered to be diabetes, it is pretty serious.

Prediabetes is less severe, but it tells you that you will develop diabetes if you continue on your current lifestyle path. If your doctor has diagnosed you with prediabetes, consider yourself lucky. If you take prediabetes seriously and make changes in your health habits, you will be able to reverse the trend and avoid eventual diabetes. Make the effort now to avoid even bigger complications in the future!

The first step that you should take is to follow your doctor’s instructions after he or she has diagnosed you with prediabetes. Depending on how close you are to already having diabetes, you may need to check your blood sugar, take medications, and/or change your eating habits. Follow these instructions to the letter, and ask immediately if there is something that you don’t understand.

After instituting the changes ordered by your doctor, there are two more very important things that you need to do in order to avoid developing diabetes. These “miracle” actions are losing weight and getting regular physical activity. Both weight loss and physical activity have been proven to help people reverse the dangerous trend that has begun with prediabetes. Your body can begin to recover its ability to digest and use sugars for energy!

For some people, beginning a weight loss and exercise program can be very intimidating. It doesn’t have to be scary, though. Take it one step at a time! If you are not sure what level of exercise you can safely do, ask your doctor before you start. Your physical activity does not have to be strenuous (like running ten miles a day), but it does need to be regular. Walking is a fantastic start for a lot of people. It is relaxing, easy to do anywhere, and can really burn a lot of calories. If you prefer dancing, swimming, basketball, or any other way to get yourself moving, then that is great. Choose something you enjoy so that it won’t be hard to continue with it several times a week.

The physical activity will, of course, help you to lose weight. To help with your weight loss, you may also try to eat smaller portions of the foods you eat throughout the day. Adding in several servings of fruits and vegetables will help as well.

Take the time to take care of yourself now! You can reverse the trend!