Keith was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 2006. However, he doesn’t feel his family history of diabetes (a few extended members with diabetes) is responsible for his diagnosis. Instead, he blames his eating habits.

“I didn’t take my diabetes seriously for the first ten years of my diagnosis,” Keith admits. “I never checked my blood sugars. I wasn’t exercising or watching what I ate. My doctors told me I had diabetes, and I didn’t do anything about it. I had all the information at my disposal. But I wasn’t applying it. I’d lie about checking my blood sugars with my doctor. My doctor would look at my blood work and challenge me. My grandmother had this saying, “someone will never do what they need to do until they’re ready to do it” — which pretty much sums up my mindset back then.“

Looking back, Keith feels his careless attitude could result from no one around him growing up taking their diabetes seriously either.

“As a kid, we referred to diabetes as ‘sugar.’ I knew I had diabetes, but it was just a word; I didn’t think of it as a disease. I never thought it was something fatal. Or as something that could take your limbs, sight, or life. I didn’t put any of that into perspective for the first ten years.”

“My close friend’s unexpected passing from diabetes was a wake-up call. That’s when I started to manage my diabetes. ”

Keith continued with regular doctor visits but started to adhere to a medication routine, exercising at home (watching exercise DVDs), and eating healthy.

Eventually, he had to have part of a toe removed.

“My foot issue happened about five years ago after I got serious with my diabetes.”

Keith’s foot issues sparked his desire to have weight loss surgery.

“Four years ago, I had gastric sleeve surgery. Several friends and family underwent the same surgery, so I knew about it. I talked to my doctor about it after I found out it would help with my diabetes.”

“I was pretty successful at managing my weight until I got the Security job in December of 2020. The stomach is a muscle and can be stretched back to its original shape if you’re not exercising and eating right. Both of which have happened since taking this job. I’ve been doing ok since being off for the summer, but at 56 years old, it’s hard to get that momentum back and in high gear to where I was before getting my job.”

Managing diabetes at work can be challenging, especially if you cannot get up and move around freely. I spoke to Keith about his new security job on the NBC TV show, The Blacklist, what a typical day is like, and how his work environment has been affecting his diabetes wellness.

Q: What is your typical schedule for the day and week when you work security?

A: On the Security job, I work 16-18 hours or more a day. I don’t get any breaks; the only break is when you go to the bathroom. Lunch is brought to you from craft services. So basically, you on your post from the time you arrive at 4:30 am until you leave, which can be anytime in the evening/night.

Q: How does your work schedule affect your health?

A: My health has been up & down gained weight since starting this job on 12/2020.

Q: Has your sleep schedule changed?
A: I don’t get much sleep. I get up at 2:15 am and work till at least 7 or 8 pm.

Q: Has your diet changed since starting your job? Gained or lost weight since working this job?
A; I have gained ten pounds. I’ve gone from 176 lbs to 186 lbs (I was weighed at the doctor today).

Q: Has your fitness level changed?
A: With these job hours, I haven’t worked out since starting the job.

Q: Have you been to the doctor since starting this job? If so, have there been any changes? What are they? In meds? A1C? etc.

A: I still make all my doctor appointments, my weight has gone up my A1C fluctuates from good to not so good. I blame it on me being a foodie and craft services and having no self-control.

Photo by Flex Point Security on Unsplash

Q: How much physical activity do you get at work? If you don’t get physical activity, then describe what you do – are you sitting all day, in one place, moving around from area to area, etc.
A: I get absolutely NO physical activity on this job. I sit, stand, walk, but it’s not enough to break any kind of sweat or get the body in a serious routine. I have to control my eating, and that’s it with this job.

Q: What do you typically eat when you’re at work?
A: I eat pretty healthy. I eat many fruits, vegetables, some fish & chicken, water, tea, nuts, etc.

Q: Do you bring your own food, or is it provided?
A: We have Craft Service, which has EVERYTHING you can imagine, from shrimp calamari ribs soups, fish wraps, vegan dishes, cakes, pies, cookies, etc. So I eat pretty healthy fruits, vegetables, fish and chicken nuts, water tea sometimes snacks like cookies, chips, gummies, but not much.

Q: Describe some of the challenges you face managing type 2 diabetes at your job?

A: As I mentioned before, I’m a foodie, and there isn’t a lot to do. You’re bored lots of the time, so I eat it’s all me. So I’ve gotta have better self-control.

Q: What would make it easier for you to manage your diabetes at work?
A: Honestly, not going back. The job is also located on the water, so it’s extremely cold even when the weather is nice outside. The studios are located right alongside enclosed parking lots. There are always continuous drafts. No matter how layered up you are being in one place for hours, the cold still creeps in on the body.

Q: Any additional thoughts on the ‘the struggle is real’ scenario?
A: As I mentioned earlier, I’m a ‘foodie.’ I’ve got to have self-control over myself; I can’t give in to boredom. I must develop a backbone.

Since many of us are facing similar issues that Keith mentioned, I reached out to Divabetic friend and colleague, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND to get her advice on the issues that Keith is facing in his current work environment.

Jill has authored four books. Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week is a bestseller and can help you manage your weight and blood sugar at the same time. The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition offers solutions to your everyday food and nutrition problems – no matter how busy you are. 21 Things You Need to Know About Diabetes and Your Heart gives you specific actions to take to improve your health right away. And Jill’s newest book Prediabetes: A Complete Guide leads you through dozens of concrete steps to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic health problems. 

Q: What advice can you share for someone who tends to overeat out of boredom?

Jill Weisenberger (JW): I like making rules with exceptions. For example, “I do not eat unless it’s a meal or a planned snack. Period. Except when … ” So, for me, it’s except when I’m offered something I will have no opportunity to try another time (gelato in Italy, Sacher torte at the Sacher Hotel, etc.)

I have more info here: https://jillweisenberger.com/how-do-you-handle-the-office-junk-food/

Q: What strategies can you share for someone who is surrounded by too much food at work that’s trying to maintain a healthy weight?  

JW: Same as above. Additionally, I think it’s important to build in treats. Once I worked at a job that always had lots of junk food. So I planned that every Wednesday afternoon, I’d pick one thing. I did that for 8 years.

Q: What advice can you give someone who admits to having ‘no self-control’? (I know you have written about this topic. Can you also share the link to one of your blog posts on it?) 

JW: Most importantly, address your environment. You have more control over your environment than you do over your willpower. 

https://jillweisenberger.com/how-to-build-willpower-enemies-of-willpower/

https://jillweisenberger.com/negative-thoughts-ruin-diet/

Also, he can get a free download here that addresses how to boost success: https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/vkzefvb1bdbtk8wffiic/

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Salad Making Party with our special guest, Nationally recognized Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

Eating a salad sounds healthy, doesn’t it? But a leafy green salad can go bad when you pile on the high calorie and high carb toppings, dressings, and other deep-fried offerings. 

How do you make a great-tasting salad without sacrificing your diabetes wellness?

Special Guest, Jill Weisenberger shares 2-3 of her favorite nutrient-dense salad and tasty dressing recipes that you can make at home and answers your nutrition questions.

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