Health & Fitness

Category: Terry Foster's battle with diabetes

My battle with diabetes

The phone call came in the morning. It was my Providence Hospital doctor and the news was not good. She said I was a diabetic, a disease that in my case is caused by being overweight, through bad eating habits, lack of exercise and age.

I was guilty all four things. I ate what I wanted and when I wanted. I stopped exercising and I was getting up in age. I am 50 years old trying to eat and drink like I was 20. It just does not work. But I had not reached a critical stage yet. Doc said we can fight this together through diet and exercise. No medication. She did not seem panicked and neither was I.

The way I looked at it I had a new companion I have to deal with.

I want you to continue to read this blog for sports and whatever else is on my mind. After all, we are here for fun and games. However, I also want to help people by telling my story with my battle with diabetes. It's been about four months ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes during a routine checkup after my 50th birthday. A simple blood test revealed my AIC levels had reached an 8.3. You are technically a diabetic when those levels are a 6.0 or above.

I was overweight but did not want to admit it. My blood pressure was high, but I did not know it. Diabetes is the silent and painless killer. I had to do something about it. Since my checkup my weight has gone from 232 pounds to 209 at this morning's weigh-in. My A1C levels have dropped from 8.3 to 5.9 and my blood pressure went from 140/94 to 120/84.

How did I do it? I will tell you some of my secrets and some of the things I am going through in this blog. I am not saying it is easy but you've got to have the proper mind set to do this. I want to help you live a longer life.

I've had a number of people -- men especially -- ask my secrets. Some have gotten checkups, which I encourage. Others have begun the process of losing weight and being healthy.

Bottom line is I exercise every day, changed my eating habits, have a personal trainer and guess what? I have cheat meals and cheat days. You do not have to give up your favorite foods. You must eat smarter and in moderation. So let's begin this journey together.

I will share my secrets. If you have some please feel free to share with me and the readers.

I can be reached at Terry.Foster@detnews.com or 313-222-1494. You can follow me at twitter.com/bigscoop.