When Craig Nichols visited his primary care doctor at OMH Medical Group – Boyne Valley in December, he was shocked to learn that he had diabetes. Dr. Nathan Mann explained Craig’s diagnosis to him, and at that point, Craig and his wife Lynn started to make a plan to get him healthy.
Craig’s first step was attending the two day Diabetes Self-Management Education Sessions conducted by Jill Moore, RN, Diabetes Educator. “Lynn saw a brochure in Dr. Mann’s office and she wanted me to check it out,” said Craig.
Craig, who lives in Lakes of the North, attended the sessions on January 16th and 17th. As a 68 year old, Craig was learning something completely new – how to eat right and control his numbers as a person with diabetes. “I didn’t know anything about diabetes beforehand. But from beginning to end, it was all explained to me,” he said.
Topics covered in the sessions include setting up a meal plan and adhering to dietary guidelines for people with diabetes. “I learned how to set a schedule with my diet, and set it up correctly so I wouldn’t fall off the wagon,” said Craig. He also received a food tracker, blood count tracker, and a carbohydrate counting guide, which Craig found most helpful.
Participants also learn how to check their blood to monitor blood sugar levels, and what physical symptoms to look out for to prevent complications, particularly in their hands and feet.
Another component of the sessions is teaching participants the importance of physical activity. OMH Occupational Therapist Suzanne Mueller showed Craig some specific arm and leg stretches, and the group received an exercise plan to help guide them through physical activity. Living in Lakes of the North, Craig is enjoying incorporating physical activity into his daily routine. “I walk 1 mile every day. Period. I always walk outside, and when it’s warmer, I will walk with the dog even further,” said Craig.
Craig took the initiative to meet with Julie Scheier, RDN at OMH who also presented during the Diabetes Self-Management Education Sessions. Julie helped Craig set up a specific food plan that worked for his tastes and lifestyle and suggested ways that he could modify his current routine after his diagnosis. “She explained that 1 cup of orange juice could be cut down to a half of a cup and I’d still get to enjoy my juice in the morning,” said Craig.
When Craig had his first blood test before the sessions, his A1C level was 11.8% (an A1C over 6.5% is considered diabetic). Craig’s goal was to lower his numbers and get his A1C level to 7%. Armed with the tools to keep his blood sugar levels in a healthy range and improve his overall health, Craig was able to modify his eating and exercise routines to his new diabetic lifestyle. “Two months after the sessions, my A1C was 7.4%. I learned in the sessions that I should be between 6-7%, and my goal is to get to 7% and be able to stay there consistently,” said Craig.
Craig said one of the biggest factors leading to the drastic decrease of his A1C level was watching what he eats. “I plan while I shop. I look at food labels and pay attention to carbohydrates, calories, and fat grams,” said Craig. Along with modifying recipes to fit a diabetic diet, Craig also pays closer attention to his serving sizes and diligently tracks what he eats.
“Craig’s lifestyle changes have allowed him to gain control over his diabetes with far less medication – and subsequent cost, monitoring, and side effects – than if he’d continued the same diet and exercise,” said Dr. Mann
Overall, Craig, Jill, and Dr. Mann are happy with the results Craig’s seeing since the sessions. “It was interesting, and it was not boring, that’s for darn sure. The sessions were very helpful and I am very glad I went.”
Do you have diabetes?
To learn more about upcoming Diabetes Self-Management Education Sessions, contact Jill Moore, RN, Diabetes Educator, at 989-731-7872. Participants must pre-register for these two-day sessions.