Autumn Adaptations for Diabetes Management

The autumn months don't really bring any challenges at all to me. Everything I do is still what I've done in the spring and summer, but in autumn my days of walking is exactly the same. Eating may change to accommodate the changing of the season in terms of I'll probably be eating more trying to reduce the starch but probably it's more starchy or vegetable well I eat vegetables anyway but something a bit more heavier to get me through the day because I don't burn up as much in because it's not sunny but no there isn't anything different apart from the change of diet that I have in the autumn. And is there any particular particular thing or things that healthcare professionals that you come into contact with can do to help you feel better or to help you prepare for the autumn months? Any message to them? Healthcare profession. I don't think, even if they did, by the time they get it together, by the time the healthcare profession get the group or something set up, we're into another term in terms of we're moving into spring because it takes so long for anything to go through and for them to agree it that by the time it comes round you've moved on and found your own way in doing things. But you feel a group, if it was to be set up efficiently, a group set up would help? a group meeting, continue with the group meetings, the diabetic group meetings that have been ongoing for some people and not for others. I think if we had that going all year round instead of it being an eight week programme, I think you would see a difference in the way people behave when it came to diabetes during the spring, summer, autumn and winter. Lovely and are you making any preparations yourself during these autumn months for the coming colder winter months in regards to your health and particularly diabetes? No, yes and no. Now that I know more about my diabetes and what I should be looking at and looking out for, I am becoming more conscious of the months and how it has an effect on diabetes because the winter months you eat more and you walk less. So I'm trying to adapt a way that I can maintain my diet and my exercise throughout the year. And if you were going to motivate others with diabetes to be more self-caring, what would you say to them in these autumn months? Continue with your, in the autumn months, if you're in a group, a diabetes group, continue to keep in contact with your friends and the peers that run it so that if you get into a period where you need help, there is always somebody on hand, because your GPs can be too busy, or it could be five or six days before they contact you back. So if you have a peer support group somewhere, keep in contact, they will help you. And lastly, how do you feel an online community could help? Online community for people with diabetes? Those people who like online studies and works and speaking to people, it will be excellent because they can keep in touch, get the information they get readily and be able to contact other people outside so that they don't feel alone and that they can continue making great strides with their diabetes.