Mumbai-based Dr M.B. Bhide, 54, managed his diabetes by changing the way he lives. He is as busy as ever and diabetes is not getting in his way. Here are his tips.
What kind of diabetes are you suffering from?
Type 2 diabetes
When were you diagnosed?
I was diagnosed a year back.
What symptoms did you have?
I was frequently hungry and craved food.
Did you put on a lot of weight?
Not really. I weighed 72kg, which was a little more than ideal.
Is there diabetes in the family?
Yes
Did you start managing it immediately or was there another trigger point?
I started immediately to try and bring down my sugar level.
What is your present condition?
I am healthy. The sugar is under control.
What is the treatment and medications being followed?
I have Glycomate SR 1g twice a day; Cilacar 10 mg and Rozat 5 mg, 1 each at night.
Any side effects?
No
What changes did you have to make to your lifestyle – your challenges and your advice to others like you?
My big meal used to be at dinner after which I would go to bed in an hour. Now, for dinner, I eat two chappatis, dal and vegetables. I have stopped eating rice and I prefer fish. I do enjoy a drink from time to time. I eat at 8pm and go to bed at 10pm.
I have oats for breakfast or something fibrous; a light lunch at 1.30pm; and some nuts and dry fruits as snack at 4pm. I loved eating sweets but have stopped, which was tough. But now the craving is under control. Now I don’t take any sugar. In fact, I don’t like drinking sweetened tea any more.
I also run 25km a week and do some cross-training. I am a member of Topgear in Bandra, which offers group exercise activities. I have lost 5kg.
Now that I have changed my lifestyle, I don’t think of diabetes all the time. I have regular check-ups and I check my blood sugar at home every week.
My advice to everyone would be: Do not overeat.
What would you tell others in a similar situation?
Don’t panic.
Control yourself.
Consult the doctor, listen to your body.
Exercise daily.
Don’t put on weight.
