Diabetes and Weight Loss
Type 2 diabetes is very closely associated with weight, with over 90 per cent of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics above their ideal weight. Being overweight can hurt your confidence, and getting back to a healthy weight can seem like a never-ending challenge, but losing some weight could both prevent you from developing diabetes, or help you to better manage your disease if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes.
First things first
First off, work out how overweight you actually are. Most people will have an intuitive sense of what a healthy weight is for them, but understanding how much you have to lose can make all the difference in having clear goals. Talking about weight loss can be tough, particularly if you do not know your doctor or diabetes specialist very well, but understanding weight loss can make all the difference.
How seriously overweight are you?
Using a BMI calculator lets you understand your weight,
and whether if could be posing you a threat.
Please use
the Diabetes.co.uk Body Mass Indicator Counter.
What can you do?
Read up as much as you can, including topics such as diabetes and obesity, and diabetes and metabolic syndrome. That way you will understand your risks and what you have to do. Diabetes prevention starts with losing weight. First things first, discuss weight loss and an individual program with your health care team. Take things slowly at first, and take one step at a time.
How does exercise help diabetes?
Exercise can help you to lose weight, by building muscle and burning calories. Although this can take time, particularly to physically notice the differences, each activity becomes easier as you become fitter. Always make sure exercise is appropriate to your situation. For more about diabetes and exercise, please click here.
How hard is it to lose weight?
Losing weight using physical exercise and diet control can be difficult, but if you persevere it will have a hugely positive effect for the vast majority of diabetics.
