A Diabetic Talks: New Year’s Resolution

It happens every year, the clock strikes midnight and suddenly people are saying “new year, new me.” But most often, people don’t change.  

We are now nine days into the new year which means, statistically, about 23% of people have dropped their resolutions. According to The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business, 9% of Americans who make resolutions complete them. Research shows that 23% of Americans quit within one week while nearly half quit by the end of January.  

Popular resolutions for Americans are to improve our health. For diabetics, this is a quintessential new year’s resolution, and it is of utmost importance that people with type 1 diabetes strive to be one of the 9% that complete their resolutions.  

It can also be paramount to get life back in order after the craziness of the holiday season. If you celebrate, the time from Halloween to New Year’s Eve can be a very low point of the year for diabetes. Sweets are shoved in your face constantly and it feels way harder to get outside and exercise as the winter months hit.  

We should use the new year for a time of reflection. It can be key to look back and focus on what could be improved in our lives and how.  

One step in the right direction would be journalling. Journaling could highlight what we do well and what we don’t. It could bring knowledge to our lives on how to control blood sugar and stay in range for longer.  

Another thing to check is our daily consumption. It’s hard to browse the isles of American grocery stores and walk out with ingredients that create a well-balanced diet. Our blood sugar levels are greatly related to what we eat daily, and we need to hone that in as much as possible.  

Minnesota author Lauren Plunkett has great resources for what to eat and not to eat on her website lpnutritionconsulting.com.  

After you’re in tune with those goals, the classic “working out” resolution could come into play. This could be a good three-step plan to get back in check after the holidays.  

Life with T1D is unrelentless and it is never ending. This means always learning and forever having room for improvement. For diabetics, some resolutions could change the way T1D affects everyday life. Health is the one aspect of life that is forever on our minds and improving some areas could not only help our bodies in the long run but also our minds and sanity.  

This year, strive to become one of the 9% that finish their new year goal.  

Write to Luke Jackson at Luke.jackson.2@mnsu.edu