Diabetes Procrastinator

If you find yourself taking your diabetes management plan for granted you might just be a diabetes procrastinator...

"Diabetes Procrastination" is taking diabetes management tasks for granted.  It’s putting these tasks into the "I can do them later" category.  This type of procrastination is common.   After all, who _wants_ to poke themselves with a small needle, jab themselves with a larger needle, and tell themselves they can’t have foods they really want to eat?

Are you a diabetes procrastinator?   Being a diabetes procrastinator might seem harmless, but it’s actually a dangerous position.  Putting off diabetes related tasks, sometimes to the point of not doing them at all isn’t prudent and could potentially ruin any success which could be possible with a diabetes management plan.

 How do you overcome this tendency to put off until tomorrow what you really don’t want to do today?   Well, there are some tips you can use to try to defeat this.

First, try to realize that diabetes is a fact.  It’s not something you can wish away or dream away in a fantasy.

Second, don’t think that not testing your blood glucose level means that your blood glucose numbers are in fine shape.   That falls into the fantasy category we just spoke about.  Not knowing isn’t going to change your blood glucose levels.  If the level is high, it’s high whether you test it or not.

Third, try to plan your day as much as you can, knowing that you might miss a few tasks, but also trying your best to complete as many tasks as you can.   For example, if you’re eating out and you know you have to test before dinner make sure your meter and testing strips are with you.  This might mean packing your supplies at 3 p.m. so you won’t forget.  Planning your meals is vital too.   Try not to eat on the run and expect the meal to fall within your food budget limits.  If you _plan_ to eat at McDonalds and it fits your meal plan, that’s ok, but if it doesn’t don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re on target.

These are just three ways that you  can help combat diabetes procrastination.  If you can think of any others please send them in!

The worksheet that goes along with this file should be used on a daily basis, if possible.   Use it as it is or try to incorporate it into your journal.  It might help you stay on track.