Turning diabetes into fuel for life’s passions

Before my husband’s diagnosis, we had a normal, everyday life. We focused on home, the office, our children, school, etc.

The days flowed into one another, and we never knew when one day ended and the next began. Like any other Indian parents, we were focused more on our children and less on us.

Learning that change is the only constant

Everything changed when my husband noticed tingling sensations in his fingers.

At first, he ignored it, but the sensations didn’t go away. Finally, he decided to visit a medical practitioner. Various tests were conducted, and when we were asked to see an endocrinologist our fears were confirmed.

‘Type 2 diabetes’ became our next family member, and the extent of lifestyle changes we had to make stunned me.

Playing the blame game

Bad things happen to other people, not to us, right? So why did my husband become a diabetic?

Was it work-related stress?

Or did I not take care of him properly?

Doctors claim that type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease, caused by poor food choices and a sedentary lifestyle. So, as the woman of the house, I’m to be blamed, aren’t I? Where did I go wrong?

I actually blurted this out in front of the doctor. And then tried to defend myself to her, telling her about all the healthy food I cook, the clean house I maintain, and the busy life I lead – “So, how was I at fault?”

The doctor told me to stop beating myself up. Several factors can lead to it, and now was the time to act, not dwell on the past.

Finding the way forward

The first thing the doctor told us to do was change our food habits – Making healthy choices here would benefit not only my husband but our entire family.

I readily agreed.

Giving up on processed food wasn’t easy, but it was up to me to make healthy food tasty.

Her next recommendation was exercise, which is usually the hardest part for anyone. What the doctor didn’t know though, was that my husband has always been an avid runner – It was just that due to the pressures of his job and our family obligations, this passion had been forced to take a back seat.

Turning our problems into positivity

Exercise is an integral part of diabetes management. My husband took this as an opportunity to rekindle his passion for running. He began running regularly. He also met several runners and joined running groups too – It turned out, many of them were diabetics as well.

This fitness regime helped him control his diabetes. Focusing on running eventually led to running marathons and ultra-marathons. And talking to other diabetic runners led to discussions on food management, helping him control his condition more effectively.

Where we are now

Fast forward to today, and my husband is well-known in the running circuit. In fact, to many, he’s an inspiration.

And due to his strict fitness regime, his medical reports are outstanding – Diabetes can impact organs across the body, but running has helped negate all those effects.

Any fitness activity requires a healthy food intake. My husband focuses on healthy eating as his body demands. This has led to him learning to cook nutritious meals for himself and our family. And to satisfy his taste buds he focuses on innovative ideas, using fresh ingredients to craft new recipes.

Following an active lifestyle and eating healthy have made my husband physically fit and mentally alert. He sleeps better and is more attentive at work. This has led to better job performance, more recognition, and faster promotions.

Overall, getting back into running has made him a happier person.

Rather than moping over the disease that is type 2 diabetes, depressing himself about its limitations and financial obligations, my husband focused on the positives.

We all knew that leading a healthy lifestyle was good for us, but we ignored it. Eating fast food and being lazy was a choice that we made – Until my husband’s type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Now, thanks to his diabetes, we’re focusing on fresh, homemade food and making good, healthy choices.

Final thoughts

My husband getting diagnosed with diabetes reminded our entire family of the value of our lives. We’d been living and making plans as if we’d live forever. But diabetes reminded us that we’re all here for just a short while. We need to live every minute of every day as if it’s the last one.

Thinking like this, our family’s perspective totally changed.

Rather than planning for the future, we now focus on living together today. And healthy food, active lifestyle choices, happiness, peace of mind, and doing everything in moderation are now an integral part of our everyday lives.

My husband isn’t fighting diabetes, but instead embracing it. He’s on medication and insulin but has learnt to make peace with it.

Because life isn’t about how long you live, but how well you live it.