Manage Your Type 2 Diabetes
Living well with diabetes can be hard. Diabetes can affect many parts and functions of the body. Take charge and learn how to live well with your diabetes. To be your healthiest and feel your best:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
- Get Physical Activity
- Make & Keep Appointments
- Manage Your Blood Sugar
- Stay Healthy: Manage Your ABCS
- Check Your Community
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Learn how to get to a healthy weight and stay there to stay in control. It does not have to be hard. Try creating a healthy plate with these three ideas:
- Eat less saturated fat
- Eat less sugar
- Eat healthy portions
Learn more by viewing some Tips for Eating Healthy with Diabetes (PDF).
Get Regular Physical Activity
The goal is to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity. Start slow and build up to a goal of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per day. Here is how to get motivated:
- Find something you like. Share your interests with your doctor and discuss how to prepare, what to avoid and any special considerations.
- Start small. For example, park farther from the door, take the stairs, or do yard work.
- Find a partner. It motivates you to continue when someone is counting on you to show up.
- Pick several small goals. Be specific, realistic and discuss them with your doctor.
- Put it on a calendar. Consider linking physical activity to daily tasks. For example, you could schedule a walk after lunch.
Physical activity is especially important for you. Learn more on the Get Active! page,
Make & Keep Appointments
Different doctors and specialists can help you manage your diabetes. They all want to help you manage it and stay in good health. Recommendations for who you should see and how often include:
- Dentist, every 6 months
- Dietitian, once a year or as recommended
- Endocrinologist, every 3 to 6 months or as recommended
- Primary doctor, every 3 to 6 months or as recommended
- Podiatrist, once a year
- Ophthalmologist or optometrist, once a year or as recommended
In addition, meeting with a diabetes care and education specialist (formerly known as diabetes educator) is a great way to get support and guidance on managing your diabetes.
Manage Your Blood Sugar
Know your personal target set by your doctor. General targets:
- Before meal 80 to 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)
- 2 hours after you started eating your meal: Less than 180 mg/dl
Check your blood sugar regularly including:
- When you first wake up (fasting)
- Before a meal
- 2 hours after a meal
- At bedtime
The number of times you check your blood sugar depends on what your doctor recommends.
Stay Healthy, Manage Your ABCS
- A: Get your A1C tested every few months
- B: Keep your blood pressure below the target set by your doctor
- C: Control your cholesterol levels
- S: Stop smoking or do not start
Check Your Community
Look for diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services and search the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists’ (ADCES) nationwide directory for a list of programs in your community.