Whether you are taking small steps that make a big difference in diabetes management and prevention (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 2021 theme) or whether you are taking The Big Step Up against diabetes (American Diabetes Association 2021 theme), all steps help make not only living, but thriving, with diabetes a reality.

Some of these steps include:

·         adding a healthy habit you are not currently practicing to a healthy habit you are already practicing

·         limiting sedentary time to 30 minutes at each sitting

·         choosing foods high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, in place of low-quality carbohydrates such as cake, cookies, or potato chips

·         taking medications as prescribed

·         set realistic goals, such as aiming to lose 5-10% of your body weight over a long period of time

·         setting a regular meal/snack pattern and making sure not to go more than 4 hours without eating carbohydrates except overnight

·         aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep per night

·         having your healthcare provider check your feet on a regular basis

·         carrying diabetes supplies with you at all times

·         getting 30 minutes intense intentional physical activity 5 days per week or 60 minutes moderate intensity exercise 5 days per week

·         using the Rule of 15 to treat low blood sugar

·         seeing a diabetes educator to help with diabetes management and support

Practicing these steps one at a time could help change some of the following statistics:

·         In 2019, 1 in 11 people were living with diabetes

·         That number is expected to rise to 578 million by 2030

·         More than 3 in 4 people with diabetes live in low and middle-income countries

·         1 in 5 people with diabetes are above 65 years old

·         Diabetes caused 4.2 million deaths in 2019

·         Diabetes was responsible for at least $760 billion in health expenditure in 2019

·         Depending on the global region, up to 50% of people diagnosed with covid were living with diabetes

·         1 in 2 adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed

Take your health into your own hands through awareness, detection, management, and thriving despite living with diabetes!