I have diabetes plus a lot of the complications that accompany it. That doesn't mean that I don't live a "normal" life. I just have to take the responsible steps for my daily care that my disease requires.

Here are some tips from an "old pro" on living with this disease.

1. Find a meal plan that you can stick to. Learn to count your carbs and proteins for each meal, each day. Buy cookbooks covering low-fat, low-carb and sugar-free receipes and cookbooks specifically for diabetics. Read through them and try some of the recipes out. They're really not that much different than "normal" and before long you'll be eating healthy, smart and loving it.

2. Exercise with an activity you enjoy. Join a gym, a softball team, or a bowling league. Go walking, hiking, swimming or just walk in place in front of the TV. Get motivated! Start to move some everyday and increase the time your at it. A great benefit will be losing weight as that can make a big difference in your treatment plan.

3. Plan your eating and medication around your exercise time. Some people find that eating a light carbohydrate snack about half an hour before exercising is a good idea. Likewise, you need to eat about the same time each day to help keep your blood sugar levels from spiking or going to low.

4. Wear a medic alert bracelet. It is vital that you be identified as a diabetic in case of a medical emergency.

5. Be prepared. Always carry a snack with you such as hard candy, crackers or glucose tablets. Remember to always have your monitor, insulin and any meds with you in case you should need them.

6. Have a social life. Eat out in restaurants but just watch what you're eating. Avoid huge portions by splitting the dinner with someone else at the table or have the waiter box half before bringing it out. Have a glass of wine if you want. Just don't overdo anything. Remember to work the "social" carbs and proteins in with the "regular" carbs and proteins you've had for the day.

7. Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Diabetics have twice the risk of heart disease as the rest of the world. Don't take an extra risk with your health by smoking.

8. Live for today. Spend as much time as possible with your loved ones even if the quality is not as good as in the past. It makes for cherished memories all around.

Living with diabetes can be anything you want it to be-hard or easy, simple or complicated. By following the steps above along with the information found here you can live a rich full life for years to come.

Ruth Walby