Making the Change

By Jet Rupar, LMT CMLDT EP-C EIM-II

So I have been doing a lot of things to help my health along the last few weeks. In many ways it’s been a very huge experiment, and I’m sort of just finding what works along the way. I’ve also had help and support. I am lucky in that I have a medical practice that takes initiative with their clients to make sure they are healthy. I also have several people who are great with the food path I have decided to take. With the Type 2 Diabetes I’ve been diagnosed with, glucose (sugar) take up by my cells aren’t great, and I have too much of those sugar molecules in my system. So I have been making a decisive effort to lower my carb intake (by a fair amount), and have started back on Intermittent Fasting. I do this because I know this works for me. And both my endocrinologist and PCP are excited that I am going on this particular journey. (NOTE HERE: THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK FOR EVERYONE… IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRY THIS OR ANY DIET/EXERCISE, DO PLEASE TALK TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. TELL THEM YOUR CONCERNS AND ISSUES. ALSO DO RESEARCH. GO TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR ARMED WITH INFORMATION. NOT TO ARGUE, BUT TO DISCUSS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!!))))

I will mention as well, that I was thinking the other night. About all of the months I’ve thought about getting back to the journey of my health, and never did anything about it. I was just not motivated to really change anything. I wanted those treats. I wanted to sit on the couch and do absolutely nothing. Because things at rest tend to stay at rest. It took a bad diagnosis, and 6 months of denial to really get me to man up, and start down the road again. And even when I first started, guess what! I ate way too many damn carbs (which of course breaks down into simpler sugars, which spikes the blood sugar levels, which is bad with Diabetes). It’s hard to make changes that are good for you. It takes a ton of effort. And you know what? It takes a great support system.

What does a great support system look like, you might ask? It can look like many things!

• A friend or group of friends that you can workout with regularly
• People who can give you time to vent or give you advice when you are at a low point in your journey
• Other people who may be doing the same type of diet or exercise that you can discuss your journey with, and can support each other when things are tough
• People who encourage and check in on you to do the things that need to be done

These people, when you find them, are an amazing asset to you. Having support means you don’t feel like you are alone in your journey. They are people to help not only keep you honest, but are there to motivate you to do your best. Because we all do better when we have people cheering us on in any journey.

So, I encourage you all to find your tribe. Sometimes these are friends or family members. Sometimes they are health and fitness professionals. It doesn’t matter where you find your support. As long as you have the support.

Because in the end, I have found that it’s not only helpful, but a great thing to have along the way.