Dancing diabetics

Pacion

Pacion

New Member
Living with Diabetes

Is anyone living (and dancing) with diabetes? I heard a programme on the radio this morning (here in the UK) which mentioned that the number of adults with Type II is on the increase (Type II coming on with the onset of age/more sedementary lifestyle).

How do you allow for it? My understanding is that there are two types of diabetes - one where your body is not producing enough insulin, and another where it is producing too much.

I remember seeing a movie about a ballet dancer who was diabetic and she had to keep a chocolate bar in her bag at all times.

I also remember reading that the actress Mary Taylor Moore has it and is a spokeswoman on it?
 
Re: Living with Diabetes

Pacion said:
Is anyone living (and dancing) with diabetes? I heard a programme on the radio this morning (here in the UK) which mentioned that the number of adults with Type II is on the increase (Type II coming on with the onset of age/more sedementary lifestyle).
Click to expand...
I was diagnosed with it last year . . . the first in my family history to have it!

Pacion said:
How do you allow for it? My understanding is that there are two types of diabetes - one where your body is not producing enough insulin, and another where it is producing too much.
Click to expand...
Since I love to cook, it has been a struggle. I've gained about 20+ pounds - because I need to eat more meals during the day. My dancing has really suffered. I'm not as light-footed as I use to be, and I seem more sluggish. I haven't competed in almost a year!!! I will be competing in Freno this coming Memorial Day weekend - and hope to be at least 15 more pounds lighter!

However, I'm learning to deal with it . . . I have started working out and am back to running . . . my metabolism is changing and the waist is shrinking . . . I can almost fit into my old swing pants - size 32 waist. Not bad for an "old dude." And I can lift my own weight on the bench - although I'm not trying to get "more buff" by lifting weights.

Pacion said:
I remember seeing a movie about a ballet dancer who was diabetic and she had to keep a chocolate bar in her bag at all times.
Click to expand...
I don't really have to do that yet . . . I do sneak a piece of chocolate every now and then . . .

Like everyone else . . . we get throught it. It takes a while to stop feeling sorry for yourself, and then get yourself back together. From wearing glasses to having a prothesis - we all do adjust. We may have to change our goals a little, but we do survive. Besides, think of the alternative . . .
 
Thanks for sharing Vince. The impression I have, rightly or wrongly, is that diabetes is treated as if it is a "dark secret". Certainly here in the UK, to my knowledge/awareness, there is lots of information/discussion on cancer, high blood pressure/heart disease but diabetes? So I was quite pleased when I heard the programme/telephone phone in.
 
Re: Living with Diabetes

Pacion said:
Is anyone living (and dancing) with diabetes? I heard a programme on the radio this morning (here in the UK) which mentioned that the number of adults with Type II is on the increase (Type II coming on with the onset of age/more sedementary lifestyle).

How do you allow for it? My understanding is that there are two types of diabetes - one where your body is not producing enough insulin, and another where it is producing too much.

I remember seeing a movie about a ballet dancer who was diabetic and she had to keep a chocolate bar in her bag at all times.

I also remember reading that the actress Mary Taylor Moore has it and is a spokeswoman on it?
Click to expand...

I think type I diabetes (also called juvenile diabetes) is the type where you body produces little or no insulin. Most people are diagnosed with it early in life, and many take insulin shots or even wear an insulin pump.

Type II usually is diagnosed later in life, and has risk factors such as family history, sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, and others. Or, you may get the disease without any of those risk factors being present.

(Don't want to sound like a doctor's office brochure. LOL. I have an SO with diabetes, and I sponsored several presentations by the American Diabetes Association, so I can practically recite their promotional materials. LOL.)

The biggest issue is that many people with type II diabetes are going undiagnosed. And untreated, diabetes can lead to all sorts of awful complications, such as damage to eyesight (even blindeness) , the heart, and other organ systems. Diabetes is the number one cause of amputations in the US.

It's no disease to take lightly. :?
 
Re: Living with Diabetes

Pacion said:
How do you allow for it? My understanding is that there are two types of diabetes - one where your body is not producing enough insulin, and another where it is producing too much.
Click to expand...

I dug up the web site for the american Diabetes Association. It's definitely worth a look.

Here's the page on Type II Diabetes.
http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes.jsp

Yes, there are two types of diabetes. With type I, the body does not produce insulin. With Type II, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the body's cells ignore the insulin that is present in the blood.

I think you may be thinking about hyperglycemia, where the blood sugar is too high, and hypoglycemia, where the blood sugar is too low. Diabetics can have either condition, if their insulin level is not in control.
 
It is definitely nothing to take lightly! Please have yourself checked . . . most of the time - as Jenn said, . . . "you may get the disease without any of those risk factors being present."

I have the Type II, and there is no family history of diabetes, nor am I overweight (much), nor am I sedentary - I defy anyone to keep up with me. The symptoms need to be learned by all . . . it is a very common disease, and you certainly will not catch anything from me!

I began complaining of a very, very slight pain in my two last toes of my left foot. I was dancing somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-days-a-week, and this is what I thought was causing the pain.

Then, when I went to bed at night, I noticed I was "buzzing" (like having too much coffee) for hours in bed, and I was awakening with a slight headache every morning.

The buzzing would eventually go away, and the headaches would go away after I ate. The headaches felt like a mild hangover, which in all reality, it was - a sugar hangover!

Again . . . get yourself checked by your doctor . . . the disease can be curbed and control with weight loss, watching what you eat, and exercise!
 
What is "interesting" for me is that there is hardly any mention of it in the media here, yet, it is serious and does have serious consequences :?
 
Pacion said:
What is "interesting" for me is that there is hardly any mention of it in the media here, yet, it is serious and does have serious consequences :?
Click to expand...
Maybe . . . you can take a personal interest in this disease, and solve that media problem???
 
Living with Diabetes

I have type 1 diabetes, was diagnosed right after college.(no don't ask when) :lol: It is a life changing disease, but not one that has to be constrictive so to speak. I have always been very athletic, and try to exercise regularly. Diet is so very important with both types of diabetes, and is probably the hardest thing for me to follow.

I only started dancing about a year ago, but always have some kind of snack with me when dancing, in case of low blood sugar. I plan my meal times around my lessons, so that doesn't happen. Not only dancing, but really anything that takes you away from home or work, like driving on a trip, running or jogging, etc., being prepared is something you have to learn to do.

Yes it is sometimes hard to live with, but not really when I think about all the other great things in my life.

There are professional athletes that have diabetes, and most people would never even know it. So whether it be dancing, or anything else you want to do, don't let diabetes hold you back! :)

Samantha
 
I'll second that. If putting weight is an issue because of the number of meals perhaps work on making them smaller? I used to gorge, but now I snack, though I don't have diabetes, and feel healthier for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top