When you wake up in the morning and you don't feel great, what's the thing that gets you moving? On the days when you're feeling fantastic, what do you like to do, what really makes you smile?

Winter is full of ups. Many festivals both religious and non-religious are during these months and we overindulge. We get invited to parties and our lives are often in flux. This affects us all differently and sets up challenges that we need to adjust to which adds to the anxieties and concerns when you have a medical condition like diabetes. Here what some of these worries are for our a health-shared community. Physical activity was the one I was going to focus on because sometimes it is more difficult in winter. But it's about dressing upright. And I'm also kind of mindful that I should, life is a risk, but I should try not to put myself at extra risk of falling. So I'm more conscious, especially when cycling, I'm avoiding ice patches and, you know, obvious things, but I think that's kind of self-preservation really. I think it's important to know where we as individuals can cope, because I think the demands on the health service are just going up and up. And I know that if I do ask diabetes care team that I'm not going to get an instant answer because they've got lots of people to deal with. My assumption is that they do a kind of triage. It is an assumption and I'm not bothered about how long it takes to get an answer. But what I'd like is a helpful, informed answer. That's to own your own health and because for example if I was talking to a patient as I've said before, I don't look after your diabetes, I give you little prompts and I only see you for about half an hour in the whole year. So that's 364 days, 23 hours and 30 minutes that you're supposed to be looking after your health and I'm there to try and help you if things aren't working out but if you don't take control of it no one else is going to. Whatever your worries, there is someone who has been there before and hearing their story can give you some peace of mind. Overindulgence is part of the human frailty and something we all have battles with because it brings with us feelings of guilt, annoyance and sometimes depression. Alcohol is sometimes one of those excesses at this time of year. It's important to understand how much it affects your diabetes and how to manage and treat yourself. The Healthshare Diabetes Community shares with you their stories and you can join that conversation.