Editorial Team
Prediabetes: 7 Steps to Take Now
What to do to stop prediabetes from becoming diabetes.
By
Winnie Yu
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by
Michael Dansinger, MD
Getting diagnosed with prediabetes is a serious wake-up call, but it doesn't have to mean you will definitely get diabetes. There is still time to turn things around.
“It’s an opportunity to initiate lifestyle changes or treatments, and potentially retard progression to diabetes or even prevent diabetes,” says Gregg Gerety, MD, chief of endocrinology at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y.
Making these seven changes in your daily habits is a good way to start.
Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining
1. Move More
Becoming more active is one of the best things you can do to make diabetes less likely.
If it's been a while since you exercised, start by building more activity into your routine by taking the stairs or doing some stretching during TV commercials, says Patti Geil, MS, RD, author of What Do I Eat Now?
“Physical activity is an essential part of the treatment plan for prediabetes, because it lowers blood glucose levels and decreases body fat,” Geil says.
Ideally, you should exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Let your doctor know about your exercise plans and ask if you have any limitations.
2. Lower Your Weight
If you're overweight, you might not have to lose as much as you think to make a difference.
In one study, people who had prediabetes and lost 5% to 7% of their body weight (just 10-14 pounds in someone who weights 200 pounds) cut their chances of getting diabetes by 58%.
3. See Your Doctor More Often
See your doctor every three to six months, Gerety says.
If you're doing well, you can get positive reinforcement from your doctor. If it's not going so well, your doctor can help you get back on track.
"Patients like some tangible evidence of success or failure," Gerety says.
