Mealtime Insulin: Keep Positive, Stay Motivated

New Speaker: Rochelle: My attitude is just this: a positive outlook brings positive circumstances to myself, my family, my employer, my friends. Mary: I've had type 2 diabetes for over 20 years now. Steven: Oh, I'm a big baby. I hate needles. And I had to start injecting myself, so I had to accept it. Mary: Some of the challenges I first faced when I started the mealtime insulin was giving myself the dosage. Christen: I think people have perceived that dietitians are somehow sitting in judgment or are going to wag a finger and bring the clipboard and scold someone. We're not. We're here to help people make the most out of healthful eating and to control their diabetes so that they can lead a healthy, productive, happy life. Rochelle: If you generate positive personalities and circumstances, then you should have positive outcomes. Jennifer: One of the most difficult times for being motivated to take your mealtime insulin are spontaneous eating events. All of a sudden, people decide to go out: "hey, let's get a bite to eat." And there really isn't a convenient moment to stop and perhaps go to the bathroom to discretely give you your insulin. Jennifer: Let me tell you something. People really aren't watching you. It is possible to go ahead and just give yourself your injection. Nobody's looking. So try to get over that fear. Be brave. Take it anyways because the benefits of taking that mealtime insulin are going to make you feel better for the weeks, the months, and the years to come. Mary: Someone who's just starting mealtime insulin, what I would say is: try not to be embarrassed. Steven: My family is the most important thing to me. Without my family, I would have nothing. My wife watches me to make sure that I take my mealtime insulin before we sit down to eat. I have two lovely grandchildren, and I have my middle daughter getting married. I want to be around for that as well. Mary: The diet, the exercise, staying on your meds and keeping your regimen up, positivity--I think all of those things are important.