Managing Diabetes in Winter

Hi everyone, me again, right. Tell you a little bit more about diabetes in the winter months. So Heather, what are the challenges that you face and what strategies do you use to cope with them? I would say the challenges most I face in winter, as I said, is the food is going to be a lot more warming. so we have lots of soups, lots of potatoes, lots of macaroni or pasta, big family lunches as well, so we're probably eating more, less going out in the winter months and that is the danger. So I have to balance that with doing more inside exercises, so as we've mentioned the Tai Chi still goes on in winter, the difficulty now, perhaps I would say the biggest challenge is to motivate yourself and to get out and about. So if over the summers and autumn you've built up some indoor activities as well, but you also still have to go out to the outside activities, that is what will keep you going. And any more tips for others facing difficulties during the winter months with diabetes? Well, coming back to the indoor activities, I would say if you've already got a a diabetes support group I would definitely say or before we mentioned of having the online group this is probably where it's going to really come into its own because that social setting and meeting friends is so important that you have to get out no matter what the weather. To be honest you technically should not be cold it's just that you don't dress properly to go out if you put on the right amount of layers you know it's Britain you know it's going to rain. You know you need at least two cardigans, a hat and a scarf. Your fingers are going to be cold. Dress appropriately. As long as your body core body is warm, you get out there. Once you start working up body heat, you're not going to feel the cold and you're going somewhere nice to meet friends and socialize and that actually expands your day so then you look forward when you come home. But nothing should change. Your basic core routine and purpose should be there. It's just you making yourself get out and about and that's the pleasure to look forward to.