DFAN DIABETES NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2001 EDITION

The new year is here! Yes! A time to think
about what you've done and make plans for something
new in your diabetes management plan. Don't
get caught up in New Year's resolutions. Just
try to make your diabetes management plan the
best it can be for your or your child if you're a
parent.

As always, we can use your diabetes related
articles, stories, poems, jokes, etc…. They don't
have to be long or sound "professional". Just
send them in…we can use them!

Send any written pieces, questions or comments
to: dfanrequest@... -or- dmmteam@...


_____POWER-OF-ONE MOVES_____

Make some Power-Of-ONE moves today with your
diabetes management and/or weight loss plan:

a) Make sure you know your blood sugar at least ONE
time today

b) Eat ONE meal on time today

c) Do ONE exercise today, even if it's a chair exercise.
(Need the chair exercise file? Click below
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite/chair.html


d) Write in your diabetes journal today for ONE minute.

e) Drink at least ONE cup of water today.

See, just doing ONE thing can make a big difference in
your life and in your diabetes management plan. Don't
underestimate the power of ONE.



__________BOOK OF THE MONTH__________

101 Nutrition Tips for People With Diabetes
(Amer Diabetes Assn)


For those with diabetes, proper nutrition and meal
planning are key components to controlling their
diabetes and staying healthy. This guide offers
the inside track on the latest tips, techniques,
and strategies on nutrition, weight loss, meal
and medication, and more.
:
Today's Dietitian magazine says, "Simple, succinct,
and straightforward, this book is ideal

To learn more about this book click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580400280/teamdiabetes



_____THIS MONTH'S POLL QUESTION_____

Since having diabetes means we have to take special
care of our bodies, being able to relax and pamper
ourselves can be a welcome break in the day. What
is your favorite way to relax and/or pamper yourself?

Send your responses to:

dfanrequest@... -or- dmmteam@...



__________ARTICLE__________

THE TOP 10 STRATEGIES FOR STAYING ON
TRACK WITH YOUR DIABETES AND WEIGHT
LOSS PROGRAM

1. Keep your diabetes management plan and weight
loss program as simple as possible-the more complicated
it is, the less you'll want to stick with it..


2. Keep a food/blood glucose diary.

3. Set clear written goals for yourself. Goals can be as
short as "Eat less food today." or "Walk around the block."


4. Set your initial mid-range goal to lose 10% of your
bodyweight. A weight loss of just 10% of your bodyweight
has been shown to help some diabetics get their blood sugars
in a good range. It may also make a huge difference in how
you feel, look and how motivated you are to continue with
your diabetes management and/or weight loss plan.


5. Join a support group (online, offline, etc…..) This
can give you a feeling of being supported, even if you're
only a lurker on an e-mail discussion list. Joining a
support group can also get you out of the isolation you
may have created for yourself.

6. Get plenty of rest every night. How about getting
an extra hour of sleep over what you're getting now?
Is it possible? Can you go to bed one hour earlier?


7. Exercise first thing in the morning. Get it over
with and the exercise can help your metabolism all
during the day.


8. Get a workout partner to exercise with you. If
you can find another diabetic to be your buddy that's
great, but if not, that's great too. Having the support
of someone else might be just what you need.


9. Take before and after pictures and update them
every four weeks. This is a great way to keep
track of your progress.


10. Create a chart or other visual display to track
your progress. This can be as simple as a list of
your weigh-in results or an elaborate spreadsheet
that you can make with a computer program. Choose
the style you like best, but try to keep track of your
success.

The main intent of this list is for you to acknowledge
and motivate you toward success with your diabetes
and/or weight loss plan. It doesn't matter what you've
done before…the time to do this is now.

Click below to read our parent's version of this article:
http://www.geocities.com/dfankid/topten2.html


__________LAST MONTH'S POLL REPONSES__________

Last month's poll question was:

"A book entitled "Diabetes For Dummies" may
turn out to be a top-seller. Does the title offend
you? Do you think diabetes needs to be "dumbed
down" in order for people to understand it?"

Here is a sample of the responses we've received:


POLL RESPONSE #1:

"In my view, the more good quality and accessible
information available to diabetics the better, since it
will empower them to make better choices on their diet
and lifestyle management. The only concern is that
some people may consider "Diabetes for Dummies" to
be beneath them - this would be unfortunate if the content
is really informative. It doesn't matter how well educated
or informed you are, most people will gain some benefits
from well-presented and readable material."


POLL RESPONSE #2:

"I think "Diabetes For Dummies" is a good idea for
newly diagnosed diabetics. When I got my computer
2 years ago I bought "Macs for Dummies" and it sure did
help me to learn my new iMac, as I had never used a
computer before. I was lucky that I knew a lot about
diabetes already having worked in hospitals for almost
30 years. Not every diabetic is that lucky and a lot of
them really don't understand all the manifestations and
implications of the disease. I think such a book would
be very helpful in helping them learn to deal with diabetes.
Any questions they would have after reading the book could
be put on a list to ask their doctor or diabetes nurse. This
could be a very useful addition to the arsenal of information
they will need. The title does not offend me in the least
and for a lot of people having everything put in simpler
language so everyone can understand would be very
helpful. Whatever and wherever the help comes from is
appreciated by anyone with diabetes or any other
chronic condition like those I had long before the diabetes
was diagnosed. Diabetes has turned out to be a complication
of my previously diagnosed conditions (congestive heart failure,
rheumatic heart valve disease, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol and triglycerides, osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis, gallstone disease, just to name
the most important ones, so I appreciate all the information
on diabetes I can get including diabetic recipes I have
downloaded from the web and from your cookbooks.
Diabetics shouldn't be afraid to ask for help and I think
such a book would help them, especially giving a list of
further reading."


POLL RESPONSE #3:

"Yes the title offends me. Wouldn't it be just as easy
to produce an "Empowering Guide to Diabetes"? I
don't want to buy a book that has that title as a gift
for anyone, even if it's chock full of excellent
information. It's demeaning."


POLL RESPONSE #4:

"I find the title *GREAT*. It does not offend me in the
least. YES, DM needs to be explained simply.

Moreover the whole XXX for Dummies started
out as books for Computers (Word for Dummies,
Excel for Dummies, etc...) and I find some of them
really superb at their job."



POLL RESPONSE #5:

"Although i don't care much for the title i think a
simplified book for all would be great also why
can't canada and the u.s get together and use the
same number system and information:) guess my
answer to poll is yes."



POLL RESPONSE #6:

"I am a 37 year old male who has been diagnosed with
Type II diabetes. It came on because of my sever/morbid
obesity. Years of not eating the right foods and within
the last 20 years a lack of exercise.

As I grew older my appetite grew larger. I ate and
ate giving no thought to my health. I just grew.

Today I weigh somewhere between 550 and 600 lbs.
I first found out I had diabetes (or at least a possibility)
almost 2 years ago. I found out because my Step-Mother
insisted that I go to my physician and have Hg A1C
test. The results were horrific. 15.1%! Right away
my doctor put me on Glyburide, 5 mg. I've since
been taking the largest dosage of Glucophage (2250 mg)
and Advandia (8 mg).

This past week (Dec. 12 - 15) I attended diabetes classes
at the University of Iowa. This was probably the best
thing I've ever done for myself. I learned more in
those three days about diabetes and living with it than
a lifetime of watching family members and friends
lose limbs and even die because of mismanagement
and lack of education.

My point is this: Without education, not "DUMBING
DOWN", most people would die. . . and do die, in
fact, because of the lack of education. When the powers
that be write a book for "Dummies", I think they are
tending to put the cart before the horse, so to speak.

Shouldn't the point be to EDUCATE and not be '
condescending to those who have this terrible disease?
I realize there are those who try to "cash in" on other's
misfortunes, but making a book for "Dummies" is
truely insulting.

People who are afflicted with diabetes come from all
walks of life. Why do we have to be dummies?

Just my humble opinion,"


POLL RESPONSE #7:

It all depends on the language and book's organization.
Diabetes I & II, needs to be explained in detail. I
believe that people need as much medical info as is
possible, explained in language they can understand.
Usually the more a person knows, the better control
he/she will have.

My questions: Is who is the targeted audience?
What are the author's aims?

Also, there must be information on the social
implications. People don't get tight control in a
vacuum! Children will have a harder time than
adults living w/its restrictions, etc.

A book, any book, in itself, is not THE answer.
Diabetes to be controlled has to be lived out,
depending on food choices and activities.

I would consider this book and other ones, simply
sources, information. The best helps for Diabetics
are medical people, a support group and information.



POLL RESPONSE #8:

Yes, I would buy another book about diabetes. I try
to read what I can, then I can use part of the
ideas/menus/whatever in my own program. I don't
think "for dummies" would stop me. Actually maybe
that's just what I need- basic basics. melody

POLL RESPONSE #9:

As insulting or dull as the title might sound, I am
grateful for anyone who takes on the subject of
diabetes and makes it easier to understand. If the
book encourages any diabetic to take a more
active role in their treatment, then the book
is a godsend! Perhaps, friends and relatives
of diabetics will be more inclined to read a
"Dummy" book.


__________NEED STRIPS & METERS__________

A special thanks to everyone who has sent in strips
and meters for diabetics in need.

As always, we can use any extra testing strips and/or
new/used meters you may have. If you have any of the
following strips (that haven't expired and/or meters
(new or used/in working condition) please send them in to us.

STRIPS WE NEED

Lifescan (One Touch, FastTake)
Dex
Accucheck
Precision QID

Meters - any new or used (in good working condition)

Lancing Devices

Check your shelves and drawers! If your have items
collecting dust please send them in! If you have the
manuals for meters you will be sending please send them
too.

The address is: Diabetes Angel Network, c/o Ladson,
P.O. Box 570324, Bronx New York 10457


Send all questions/comments/ideas to:

dfanrequest@... -or- dmmteam@...

Diabetes is a serious disease. This e-mail should not
Take the place of competent medical care.

DFAN WEBSITES

DFAN Diabetes Story - http://members.aol.com/dfandm

MyJournal! - http://members.aol.com/belve/myjournal

Diabetes Prayer Chain! http://members.aol.com/dfanonestep/prayer

DFAN Diabetes Webpage
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite

Christian Diabetes Living
http://home.att.net/~belve/

DFAN Diabetes Weightloss Site
http://members.aol.com/belve/dfan

Christian Diabetes N' Weight Loss Site
http://members.aol.com/dfanonestep

Diabetes Angel Website
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/angel

Warm Fuzzies (Teddy Bears For Diabetic Kids)
http://members.aol.com/belve/fuzzy/

We have some DFAN e-mail discussion lists
you can join!

Christian Diabetes (dfan-Christian)
Diabetes & Weightloss (dfan-weightloss)

You can join these lists by sending a request
to dmmteam@...



Belver
Visit The DFAN Diabetes Webpage: http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite
Visit Christian DiabetesLiving: http://home.att.net/~belve
Got any strips or meters you don't need? -
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/angel
Visit The DFAN Diabetes Store - http://members.aol.com/dfandm

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