In February this year, I signed up for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge – an amazing mega blog hop where participants blog every day in the month of April. What is unique is this, and I quote:
The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day.
Last year I participated with my blog, Vidya Sury Collecting Smiles and found it an enriching experience. This year, I’ll be participating from there, as well as here, Your Medical Guide.
Your Medical Guide is a health blog, and so, deciding on a theme was a fun exercise. So many ideas. Too many ideas, in fact.
Then, the perfect theme presented itself to me.
Early this year, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Naturally, I was shocked. I lead a reasonably healthy lifestyle, follow a healthy diet and get enough exercise. So, why me? It turned out that genetics is something we cannot escape and here I am. Grappling with a brand new lifestyle overnight – cutting out all my favorite foods from my diet, always worrying about whether it is okay or not to eat this. I am terrified about the complications of diabetes because I have seen loved ones suffer.
Diabetes, I’ve always felt, is like a wily politician. Risky as hell. Causes a lot of trouble and sits back and watches the fun. It has to be managed cleverly and constantly. It is a lifelong effort.
And so, my theme for the April A to Z Challenge for Your Medical Guide was born. I thought about focusing on the Diabetes diet, but that seemed to narrow it down too much. Then I decided to focus on various aspects of…
Living With Type 2 Diabetes
I will write about what I am learning about living with Type 2 diabetes because it is not just about food. Ever since I was diagnosed, I’ve been going nuts with the information overload available online. Google is a good doctor, sometimes better than the one I consult. And I thought it might be a good idea for me to share what I am finding with you.
This will include diet, exercise tips, what matters, do’s and don’ts, tips to prevent the complications of diabetes, the importance of counting carbohydrates when you are living with diabetes, risk factors, useful resources and much more.
The best news is, if you are at risk for diabetes, you can prevent it, if not manage it well and show it who is boss.
I invite you to visit and share your own knowledge and tips so we may all benefit from learning together.
I am co-hosting the April A to Z Theme Reveal Blogfest at vidyasury.com – do head over to see theme reveal posts from other A to Z participants!
With love,
Vidya
Stay Healthy!
43 comments
Hey Vidya,
Thank you for choosing this topic. Many are still unaware of type 2.
I didnt know what it meant when doctor told me I suffer from TYPE @ Diabetes, before I celebrated my 20th birthday 🙁
So sorry to hear it, Ananya. How are you able to manage it? Any tips are welcome. I am told that as long as we take proper care, we can be okay.
This is a great theme…It will help those who also have diabetes and even those who don’t! Looking forward to the posts
Thank you Nabanita! I am enjoying writing about it! 🙂 And I am looking forward to your stories!
A great idea to build a fabulous resource for others, Vidya! Good luck.
It is going to be a nice learning experience for me, Corinne! Thank you!
A great theme to help and inform those with this illness. Wishing you the best with your posts. 🙂
Thank you, Neeve! I am looking forward to the A to Z!
I’ve always thought I knew so much more than I actually know about diabetes. Not long ago, I met someone who has juvenile diabetes. Sounds so unfair. I’m sure you have a lot to share and teach us.
Best,
Silvia @
SilviaWrites
Yes, Silvia. Absolutely unfair. It is scary that diabetes can happen to anyone, age no bar. It breaks my heart to see children afflicted with it. I remember – a couple of kids in our apartment complex – who carried their own biscuits to eat during birthday parties. While others enjoyed cake and other stuff, these kids just sat and munched on their biscuits. Sad.
Thank you for visiting. Looking forward to blogging together!
I can’t wait! I’m care-giver for my mother who has type 2 diabetes, and the more I learn, the more I realise how much I don’t know. So taking a “crash course” this April will definitely be helpful.
🙂 Hi Damaria! I’ve planned a post about caregiving for those with diabetes! I looked after my father in law – who was on insulin and a solid bunch of medication, and no teeth. Was a challenge all right, because he loves to eat. 🙂 I look forward to our connection! I am learning something new every day!
Exploring the disease is a good way to become familiar with the things you have to deal with and the changes you have to make.
True! Learning more always makes things seem better. 🙂 Informed choices. Thank you, Joy!
this is way different from what most of the blogs on the hop are all about so you can bet I will be here. I have a medical degree and I love learning more things. Tom Hanks was just diagnosed last year with Type 2 Diabetes and my grandpa has it too. Good luck to you and I can’t wait to read more good work, Teresa from the following sites Fangirl Next Door
Stormy’s SidekickQuackin Over Disney Geek On!
Thanks Teresa! I am still getting over the shock of my own diagnosis and thought it would be therapeutic to learn more and share it! Yes, I read about Tom Hanks – he’s one of my favorite stars. Those used to living with diabetes – are quite cool, especially the ones who are managing it well. I look forward to interacting with you!
Thank you for educating people. There is so much in our lives that we cannot control, it is good to find areas that we can make a difference. Good luck in all of your blogs and followings and everything, you are one busy person! – Melanie
You are right, Melanie!:-) Thank you!
Every other week or so, you hear of somebody who is diagnosed with Type 2 Dabetes… it’s about as popular as the common cold!
Your posts should be enlightening and I have to confess I know zilch about the condition!
It is true, Michelle! And the worst thing is – age no bar! I hardly knew anything before I took care of my Father in Law. Still, so much to learn!
What a great and informative idea!
Thanks Andrea!
Great theme Vidya! Looking out for your posts 🙂
Counting on your support, Gauri!
More than the topic itself, what amazes me is the amount of solid research this requires, because this is a medical blog, and the information has to be spot on. Admire your choice, for both the relevance and depth of it. This sure is going to be helpful in the long run. And we can always come back for reference. Right ?
Cheers !!
Thanks, Sreeja. I am planning to bundle these posts into an ebook. 🙂 I thought, rather than freak out over my condition, it would be a great learning experience and one I can share with others!
Firstly I had no idea you got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but as you have rightly mentioned genetics is something no one can escape. Well more power to you and it is a fab idea to chronicle your ways to bring help to others!
Thank you, Richa!
This is onw blog I NEED to follow..for my and my folks good health…thanks vidya for thinking on these lines
Thank you, Shiva! I look forward to your visits!
Your blog will be a great help to many. Great theme.
Thank you dear Sugandha!
Definitely good subject matter. Education is key to better living. 🙂
LadyJai
My A to Z Challenge
Caring for my Veteran
You know Jamie, I started this blog when my Mom went through chronic health conditions to share what I learned as I looked after her. I hope to help others by sharing what I learn about diabetes!
Thank you for visiting!
Should be a good theme to follow and very educational and informative!
Yes, Psych! -) Do visit during the A to Z!
This is gonna be very useful 🙂 🙂
Indeed S(t)ri! 🙂
That’s a fascinating theme, Vidya, and a very valuable one too. Good luck – with the theme and your challenge. 🙂
Jemima
#TeamDamyanti
Blogging from Alpha to Zulu in April
Thank you so much, Jemima!
that is so sensitive.ahh i am a lil confused here u are doing two challenges together.
Hey NZ! Same challenge – A to Z. But two blogs. 🙂
A very interesting and informative topic Vidya. Will look forward to this one.