Stop down playing the “PRE”
What is the meaning of pre?
1. a(1) : earlier than : prior to : before.
When it comes to your health “PRE” itself is a serious issue and nothing to be played with. However, when I ask my clients during their bodyscans if they are pre-diabetic many will quickly say no, or downplay it by saying, “I ain’t claiming that”, and a few really just don’t know because they haven’t had lab work done in years.
Prediabetes is a Big Deal!
Prediabetes is a serious health condition. Don't let the “pre” fool you. People with prediabetes have higher blood sugar than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetic. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
The good news is that prediabetes can be seen as a warning sign, it’s the body’s way of saying that your insulin levels are rising, but you can still reverse it before developing type 2 diabetes.
The problem is that you may not even know you are prediabetic or have diabetes, you can be symptom-free for years. But once the complications of diabetes start to occur, nearly every aspect of your health can be affected. That’s because the excessive sugar in your blood is damaging to blood vessels and nerves throughout your body.
You often only hear the term PRE with diabetes however when I look at my clients’ lab values. I’m checking to see if they are “pre high cholesterol” or pre high blood pressure.
Prediabetes goes hand in hand with metabolic syndrome, the term for a condition that includes hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol. Each of those conditions raises the risk for serious issues, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
In people with prediabetes, some of the long-term damage to the blood vessels, heart, and kidneys may already be starting. The condition has also been linked to what are called “silent” heart attacks, with symptoms so mild people may not realize they occurred.
When we get a PRE warning signs, it’s not too late. It’s so important to talk with your physician, GET A TRAINER and be serious about changing your lifestyle.
This is a great example of a client who didn’t downplay her PRE status.
Early last year my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and that my A1C was 5.7. She said that if I didn't make some changes, she might have to put me on medication. That was a wake-up call for me. Prior to this, I had taken pride in being in my 50's and not being on any medications. This motivated me to work out more, increase my water some, and to make some dietary changes but I was still inconsistent!
I joined a BootCamp in November and December of 2022 even though those are BIG holiday months and a lot of eating happens! The camp was 3 days a week and it helped shock my system and got me moving more on a consistent basis. My good friend Nicole J. told me about Tadda’s Fitness and the TFC Boot Camp. We signed up together in January 2023, and I am so glad I did! When I started Tadda’s Boot Camp my A1C was down to 5.5, I had a follow-up doctor's appointment this week and my AIC was down AGAIN this time to 5.3!!! My doctor who is a black female literally shouted "Yay, you are doing it! Keep on doing what you are doing!!"
I also have to say not all Boot Camps are created equal. Period. Tadda’s is the total package. The meal plan, the alkaline water, the B-12 shots, the accountability with the food log, the 3-D body scan, the PT tests (not once but 3 times during the camp) all make a HUGE difference.
I used to say if I can just lose 30 pounds, I'd be good. Now my focus has shifted from losing weight to living a healthy lifestyle. -Nicole L.
Are there tests that can diagnose prediabetes?
Yes, the following blood tests can diagnose the condition:
- An A1C test measures blood sugar over the past two to three months (and it’s the easiest test, since it’s not necessary to fast beforehand). A result in the range of 5.7%–6.4% indicates prediabetes. Know your status!
- Knowledge is power. This test can be done daily at Tadda's Fitness Center in just 5 mins. No Mess
