Don’t you just hate those people who say ‘I told you so’?
In Wednesday’s GDN there was an article which highlighted the issue of diabetes in Bahrain.
I read it with a slight sense of disbelief, as there was a tone of surprise about the article. Almost as if it were somehow an unknown feature on the medical landscape, which had reared up and smacked the medical community in its collective face.
I flashed back nearly a year, to January 6th, when a column appeared in the GDN entitled ‘sweetly sedentary’ and find myself wondering why this seems to be an issue which is so difficult to bring to people’s attention.
The reason I remember the article, by the way, is that I wrote it. Look it up in the archives of the GDN. (The url, or web address, is http://www.gdnonline.com/source/XXXIX/292/PDF_FULL/7f57cc70-372e-4775-b11c-e5900bea311d.pdf.)
Without wishing to labour a point, allow me to reproduce here something from the article.
Bahrain is in the 10 countries with the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the world. Many are linking the development of Type 2 diabetes, which has an alarming array of unpleasant consequences, with an increase in wealth and a change in lifestyle… there is, though, it appears, a solution.
I went on to advocate two things which would prevent Type 2 diabetes, which is the more insidious, age and lifestyle related type.
The one that is related to poor eating, lazy and sedentary lifestyles, with little or no exercise. These ways of life are commonly linked with people who have a decent income and feel that they are just too tired or busy to be able to make time to look after themselves.
Anyway, these two things will prevent Type 2 diabetes, without any doubt. This is what needs to be done.
Firstly, stop eating and drinking sugar-laden food and drinks. Only eat and drink things which you have actually made yourself. I’m not talking about opening your own can of fizzy drink or tin of beans. They both have loads of sugar. No, I mean that you should actually buy separate ingredients and cook the dish in your own kitchen. It’s not difficult; it just takes time. And a bit of organising and effort. Don’t moan. Don’t say it can’t be done; just do it! It’s your health!
Secondly, take some exercise. The harder the better, but at least half an hour each day if you can.
I actually recommended high intensity training (HIT) for just five minutes each day.
Once again, don’t bleat that you don’t have the time. You do! It’s simply a matter of priorities. Instead of watching an episode of some box-setted garbage, go for a walk. A fast walk. A three-kilometers in half an hour sort of walk.
Yes, you can. Get up and go! It’s your health!
So, without meaning to sound like one of those smug ‘I told you so’ people, I did tell you so! Last January! Go on!