self-talk – Divabetic

03/03/202403/03/2024

Good Morning Gorgeous!

Good Morning, Gorgeous!

Just imagine what positive self-talk and powerful affirmations could do to your diabetes life.

Self-talk is the practice of talking to oneself, either aloud or silently. It can be positive or negative depending on your thoughts and external influences.

My good friend, Kathie Dolgin, professionally known as ‘High Voltage,’ uses affirmations daily to manage her health by avoiding added sugars.

According the American Heart Association reports American adults consume an average of 17 teaspoons of added sugar every day, more than 2-3 times the recommended amount for men and women respectively. This adds up to around 60 pounds of added sugar consumed annually.

To keep all of this in perspective, it’s helpful to remember the American Heart Association’s recommendations for sugar intake.

Men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams or 150 calories) of added sugar per day.
Women, the number is lower: 6 teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories) per day. Consider that one 12-ounce can of soda contains 8 teaspoons (32 grams) of added sugar! There goes your whole day’s allotment in one slurp.

We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

Often, High Voltage starts her day by saying, “I am happy! I am healthy! I am the best, and I deserve the best!”

My friend Paulette McWilliams offers this beautiful rendition of Luther Vandross’s song, “So Amazing”, arranged by Grammy winner ( Gregory Porter) Kamau Kenyatta.

Whatever the case, self-talk is the most potent form of communication because it either empowers you or defeats you.

Join us for our Luther Vandross: Never Too Much celebration featuring a Panel discussion, Fashion Show, Luther Games, Live Performances, and Live DJ on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Thread Lounge in New York City. Come dressed in your Big 80s Bling!

Luther Vandross was known for wearing rhinestones, tuxedos, and tailcoats on stage. He wore Versace, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Tom Ford off-stage! He wasn’t afraid of wearing bright colors, animal prints, geometric patterns, and/or fringe. His style and incredible showmanship brought him legions of fans worldwide.

We’re celebrating the glitz and glamour that made his concerts more memorable and set him apart from other entertainers.

PANEL: How the Magic on Stage happened! Luther’s Vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, Luther’s Choreographer, James Ervin, and Graffiti Glamour Makeup Artistry Founder Alicia Mitchell help us get a closer look at the Shine of the Rhinestones, Big Luscious Hairstyles, and Bold Makeup to the Graceful Moves and Tight Harmonies. Hosted by Max Szadek.

FASHION SHOW: Designers showcase their gorgeous creations inspired by the romance and elegance of Luther Vandross. See the latest styles from Harlem’s Heaven and Modafleur, and more! Hosted by

PERFORMANCE: Luther’s most iconic songs performed by Luther’s most iconic songs by vocalist Keith Anthony Fluitt.

12/08/202112/08/2021

Good Morning Gorgeous By Mary J. Blige

“I wake up every morning and tell myself

Good morning gorgeous

Sometimes you gotta look in the mirror and say

Good Morning Gorgeous”

The Queen of Hip Hop, Mary J. Blige sings these words in her new self-empowering song, “Good Morning Gorgeous”. Do you tell yourself that you are beautiful each day? I bet you don’t, but maybe you should. What would happen if you did? Take a moment to appreciate your curves, the way your body is solid and sure with strength in some places or sensuous with softness in others. End quiet moment you spend appreciating is a gift to you. Good thoughts become good feelings and feeling good on the inside is expressed on the outside, too.

Kind and gentle self-talk has helped Mary J. Blige overcome many obstacles in her life. She is not living with diabetes but she had a rough childhood. Her father, a war veteran who suffered from PTSD, left when she was just a young girl leaving the young Mary and her two siblings in the hands of an alcoholic mother. She was sexually abused by a family friend at the age of five. She turned to alcohol, drugs, and promiscuity to deal with the pain of her experiences.

“We numb ourselves with drugs and alcohol and people and shopping and shit, to cover up what’s really going on inside,” she said in an interview with Self.

Her resilience like her fame has grown over the years.

“People are watching,” she said to Self. “So much painful, embarrassing, public stuff has happened from the time I came out in this music industry. This stuff happens so that we can talk.”

Loving the body that you have and celebrating it makes you want to take care of it better inside and out, and all of that beauty just grows and grows. If you say it and hear it enough times I bet you’ll begin to believe it.

Enjoy Mary J. Blige’s song, “Good Morning, Gorgeous!” We believe in YOU!

Need a boost? Join us tomorrow night for Divabetic’s free Holiday-themed Baking Party with the Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 7- 7:30 PM. EST.

We will be hosting two raffles during our virtual program. First, we will be giving away a beautiful Splenda Gift Basket filled with different Splenda products for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Then, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller will raffle off a gift from Gem Desire. Catherine is the newest Brand Ambassador for Gem Desire, a curated jewelry brand at affordable prices. You must be present during our virtual program to qualify for the random drawings.

REGISTER NOW

06/16/202006/17/2020

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #17

Can you complete our Divabetic Mystery Phrase below? Diabetes self-care can be emotionally taxing, but reframing your mind-set with positive affirmations can have powerful results.

Constant worrying or self-doubt about what you are or are not doing isn’t empowering. That inner dialogue isn’t true, or even real.

If you’re struggling to cope with your diabetes diagnosis: try repeating positive affirmations to yourself each morning to steer your mood in the right direction. This way of thinking can be helpful when the mental burden of diabetes management gets tough.

We also encourage you to seek out a therapist like our colleagues, Dr. Beverly S. Adler CDE, PhD, Janis Roszler or Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport LCSW, PsyD.

“People without diabetes can feel loneliness, anger, guilt, and shame or use denial, rebellion or secrecy. The addition of diabetes to your daily life increases the likelihood of complex emotions,” says Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport aka ‘The Diabetes Pysche’. She adds, “My goal is to help you recognize these normal and demanding feelings and then move past them to do better.“

“Wisdom is avoiding all thoughts which weaken you.” – anonymous

Making your diabetes wellness your top priority will help you find the life flow that you can manage and maintain.

Like many habits, inner strength, resilience and/or wherewithal can be attained states the Power of Positivity website. It doesn’t matter if someone is thought of as weak or timid; they can still overcome life’s challenges

Inner strength comes from knowing you have the tools you need to handle life’s challenges. If at first you don’t succeed then rely on your strength for progress. Optimism is a source of courage and confidence. It motivates us to set goals, to take risks. It encourages persistence in the face of obstacles.

We’re talking about overeating, binge eating and food addiction on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Mama Rose Marie, Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, Megrette Fletcher MEd, RD,CDE and Cat Beach with music from Kelly Clarkson.

02/11/201902/11/2019

‘Self-Acceptance & Diabetes’ by Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDE Clinical Psychologist and Certified Diabetes Educator

“Figure out who you are and do it on purpose” – Dolly Parton

This month’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast talks about self-acceptance and diabetes. Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek focuses attention on Julie Murphy’s book Dumplin’ and spotlighting the music of Dolly Parton who helped make the soundtrack for the Netflix movie. To summarize (and simplify) the story, it’s about a plus-size teenageddaughter of a former beauty queen, who learns how to accept her body and feel proud of who she is.

Self-acceptance can be an emotional struggle for many people, especially for women who judge their appearance critically. You fill in the blank: “I am too ______” short, tall, fat, skinny, young or old, etc. Let’s remember not to judge a book by its cover! Plus-size people can be superficially judged by their body type instead of what’s on the inside. It’s unfair, but you can’t change what others think. Try to remember to be yourself. People don’t have to like you, but you don’t have to care.

Some people are judged critically for having diabetes. It is assumed, and they are unfairly blamed and shamed, that they lead an unhealthy lifestyle (i.e. eating too many sweets, and being lazy). It’s hurtful to be so harshly judged, especially with no evidence to support those accusations. You know in your heart of hearts what is true and what is untrue. Remember that the most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself.

Benefits of Self-Acceptance

Self-acceptance is necessary for good mental health. A person who scores high on self-acceptance has a positive, non-judging attitude. A person treats themselves kindly, rather than harshly. A person allows themselves to be human, to make mistakes and learn from them. Know that as humans we are not perfect, nor should we be expected to act flawlessly.

Psychological benefits of self-acceptance include a decrease in depressive symptoms and an increase in positive emotions. Positive benefits include an increase in feelings of self-worth and self-esteem, and more self-kindness when mistakes occur. Self-acceptance is associated with more optimism and better recovery from stress. Other psychological benefits are a decrease in fear of failure, less desire to win the approval of others, and less self-criticism. Physical benefits include lower levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (a marker for glucose levels/insulin resistance).

Tips for Self-Acceptance

Use self-talk to encourage yourself. Tell yourself to keep trying and focus on positive aspects of what you did.

Forgive yourself. You have to accept your humanness and the fact that you are not perfect. If you hurt yourself through addictive behavior, avoidance, or otherwise behaving unwisely, make a coping plan for the next time you are in a similar situation so that you can begin to act differently. Remember, there are no failures, if you have learned and grown from your mistakes; there are only lessons learned.

Become mindful. Know what you think, feel and want. When you are mindful you can act on this knowledge rather than on what others want for you.

Practice good self-care. You can accept yourself more, when you take better care of your basic needs. Nourish yourself daily through healthy activities, like choosing healthful food choices, physical activity, sleep, intimacy, and healthy social interactions.

Final Thoughts

Challenge your negative thoughts about yourself. The underlying message of Dumplin is to figure out who you are and do it on purpose. Treat yourself with self-compassion. Tolerate yourself to be imperfect in some parts. We are deserving of love and respect just the way we are. Value yourself and all the things that make you unique. We are all works in progress.

Dr. Beverly S. Adler, aka “Dr. Bev”, is a clinical psychologist and Certified Diabetes Educator with a private practice in Baldwin, NY. She was honored in 2016 with the “Certified Diabetes Educator Entrepreneur of the Year Award.”

She is the author/editor of two diabetes self-help books which include insightful lessons of empowerment written by successful men and women with diabetes. She has published articles in print and online about diabetes management – always with the focus on emotional adjustment. Dr. Bev has been quoted in numerous magazines and contributed to a monthly diabetes advice column online. She is a frequent contributor to the Divabetic Diabetes Daily Wire, where she blogs about diabetes topics from the psychological perspective.

Dr. Bev has lived successfully with type 1 diabetes for 42 years. You can connect with her on her website www.AskDrBev.com and on Twitter @AskDrBev.

Don’t miss February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast in support of the ‘Spare A Rose, Save A Child’campaign on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. We’re talking about ‘SELF ACCEPTANCE & DIABETES’ with musical inspiration from Country Superstar, Dolly Parton. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr.Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Lisa R Young, PhD, RDN and more. Enjoy selected songs from Dolly Parton’s new album Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music. TUNE IN