Divabetic (divabetic.org) knows that coping with diabetes on a daily
basis can not only be more stressful but it can also be more time
consuming in our hectic, fast paced world. We want to help you make
your diabetes life more manageable so we’re sharing products
recommendations from our Divabetic community members to help you
‘Makeover Your Diabetes’!
“I love my Mary Kay( MK) beauty and skincare products because they
help make my skin look and feel wonderful., says, Eugenia B. who is an
independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay living with type 1
diabetes.
Somehow Eugenia manages to juggle living diabetes and selling Mary Kay
on the side with a full-time job working as the Environmental
Contact/Quality Clerk for Haworth in Bruce, MS.
How does this fabulous ‘divabetic’ do it?
“I admit it takes me some additional time every morning to get ready
for work because I am insulin dependent. But with MK everything is so
easy! Mary Kay has ‘put together’ color cards that help you to ‘put
together’ looks. I just buy and experiment with colors for each MK
‘put together’ look,” she adds.
Although Eugenia’s only been on insulin therapy since 2014 (after a
bad drug interaction sent her to the hospital), she’ll actually
celebrate her twelfth year living with diabetes in April. For her,
adjusting from living with type 2 diabetes to type 1 hasn’t’ been that
easy. There are times when Eugenia feels like she’s having to learn
about diabetes all over again. And there are days when she just sits
and has a good cry. Thankfully Eugenia’s family has been there every
step of the way to help her wipe away tears and encourage her put on
her ‘big girl panties’ and forged ahead.
“Diabetes has taken a lot from me but it hasn’t taken away my strength
to endure,” adds Eugenia. “Every day is a new struggle, but still I
remain. I have put on about 45 pounds since going on insulin and that
has taken a toll on me. I am trying very hard to lose this weight and
reduce my A1C. At my last doctor visit. My A1C was down from 8.2 to
6.7! So that is great!,” says Eugenia.
We agree!
The A1C test that Eugenia mentions measures the glucose (blood sugar)
in your blood by assessing the amount of what’s called glycated
hemoglobin. “Hemoglobin is a protein within red blood cells. As
glucose enters the bloodstream, it binds to hemoglobin, or glycates.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that you have the A1C
test two times each year. This simple blood draw can be done in your
doctor’s office. A1C test results provide insight into how your
treatment plan is working or might be modified to better manage your
blood sugars.
Understanding your A1C levels is an important part of your overall
diabetes management. If you have any questions about your A1C levels
or what they mean, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor.
“I also suffer from dry skin because of my diabetes and the MK skin
care systems are the best.I use the Satin Hand set. It is the best and works great for your feet as well. I also use the TimeWise Repair set which is perfect for all of us “older” gals.
It’s important to treat dry skin if you’re living with diabetes. Skin that’s too dry can crack, itch, and get infected. Basic skin care can go far toward helping you prevent problems later on. If you have questions or if a cut, scrape, or bruise worries you, talk to your doctor or dermatologist right away.
Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.
February’s podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the “Spare A Rose, Save A Child” campaign. “Spare A Rose, Save A Child” encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.
Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.