I’ve always said start with the end in mind. When you have goals, may they be financial, physical, or personal, you have to know what the end result is before you figure out how to begin your journey towards achieving them. The same can be said about managing our diabetes. The end result (my goal) is to not get any secondary conditions that develop over many years or high glucose averages. Obviously, this is directly related to our dedication and determination to staying active and taking control of our nutrition. It is very difficult to be consistent with our crazy work and personal schedules intermingling. But we must continue to come back to what we should be doing versus, what our busy schedules have created, a lifestyle that will not achieve our goals.

In my opinion, the best thing you can do in order to assure you meet your goals is to get someone to be accountable to. For example, DiabetesSisters.org has a buddy program that I think is a great idea for women with diabetes. If you prefer someone you know, then a spouse, sibling, friend, or paid professional will do. I believe in this concept so much that I practice it in different areas of my life. I sought it out in my early days of weight training. For about two years I sacrificially paid for a trainer. This kept me on a routine and I hardly ever missed or rescheduled!! Now that I work out alone and work keeps me busier, I have trouble keeping the same days and times. Therefore, my workout schedule is all over the place. Not the best thing, but I still manage to go at least three times a week. I can see how I will soon need to go back to this concept by seeking someone that I consider serious about their health and physical goals. This person will work out with or without me, but will appreciate the challenge, accountability, and responsibility that comes with working out with some else. Needless to say, it will also be FUN!!

If you are going to start weight training, your body will ache, especially in the beginning. This along with our propensity to rationalize and excuse ourselves with another good reason why “not today”, will certainly keep your commitment to exercising inconsistent at best!! To develop the tone muscle and strength weight training will generate over time, consistent is something you definitely need to be. Otherwise, be prepared to “ache” unnecessarily. This is why I chose to write about this topic. Accountability, is of utmost importance, especially in the beginning stages. In time I feel confident, the results of weight training, both visible and internal, will addict you and accountability will be within yourself. You will yearn for it in order to reduce stress and maintain the visible results that have come with much sacrifice and TIME!! This “sacrifice” that eventually evolves into a habit that makes your life better by improving your health, and may I add…. the way you feel about yourself as well. Now that is priceless!!

Start today!!

Bianca