Setting Measurable Goals for Type 2 Diabetes: Simple Tips
June 17, 2019
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Feeling like you don’t know where to start when it comes to diabetes management? We’ve got you.
To manage your type 2 diabetes, your doctor might advise you to make some lifestyle changes. For instance, they might instruct you to check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis. They may also prescribe medications or other treatments.
You may feel like you have a lot of changes to make — and that’s where goal-setting comes in.
Setting specific, measurable goals can help you develop healthy habits and stick with your treatment plan. Read on to learn about the strategies you can use to set treatment goals.
Set goals that promote healthy habits
Keeping your blood sugar within a target range helps lower your risk of complications from type 2 diabetes. Adopting healthy habits can help you achieve and maintain that target range.
Consider taking some time to reflect on your current habits and the changes you could make to manage your condition.
For example, you might benefit from:
- adjusting your eating habits
- getting more physical activity
- getting more sleep
- reducing stress
- testing your blood sugar levels more often
- taking your prescribed medications more consistently
Even small changes to your habits might make a positive difference to your blood sugar levels and overall health.
Set goals that are realistic and specific
If you set a realistic goal, you’re more likely to meet it. That success might motivate you to set other goals and continue making progress over time.
For example, you may want to begin trying new recipes from a diabetes cookbook, but the goal of doing so every weeknight for a month may not be realistic. The extra shopping, planning, and experimentation may start to feel overwhelming.
Instead, focus on smaller numbers and shorter time frames. Begin with a goal to try one new recipe a week. You can always make additional goals as you meet milestones.
It’s also important to set specific goals. Setting specific goals helps you know what you want to achieve and when you’ve achieved them. This may help you make concrete progress.
For example, “exercise more” might be realistic, but it’s not very specific. A more specific goal would be, “Go for a half-hour walk in the evening, 5 days a week for the next month.”
Other examples of specific goals include:
- “Visit the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays for the next month.”
- “Cut my cookie consumption from three to one per day for the next 2 months.”
- “Lose 15 pounds over the next 3 months.”
- “Try a new recipe from my diabetes cookbook every week.”
- “Check my blood sugar levels two times a day for the next 2 weeks.”
Think about what you want to achieve, what steps you’ll take to achieve it, and when you want to achieve it.
Track your progress
Consider using a journal, smartphone app, or other tools to document your goals and track your progress toward meeting them. This can help keep you accountable over time.
For example, many apps are available for tracking calories and meals, workout sessions, or other activities. In some cases, a simple checklist taped to your refrigerator might work for you.
If you find yourself struggling to achieve your goals, think about the barriers you’ve been facing and brainstorm ways to overcome them. In some cases, you might need to adjust a goal to be more realistic. That’s totally OK.
It can also help to find support from others who are working on similar goals, like fellow members of the Bezzy T2D community.
After you achieve a goal, be sure to celebrate your accomplishment. Then you can set another one to build on the progress you’ve made.
Work with your healthcare team
Your healthcare team can help you set and meet goals to manage type 2 diabetes.
For example, your doctor or nurse practitioner might refer you to a registered dietitian to teach you the best ways to eat to manage your diabetes and help you manage your weight. Or they might refer you to a physical therapist to develop an exercise plan that’s safe for you.
Your doctor or nurse practitioner can also help you set an appropriate blood sugar target.
To track your blood sugar levels over time, your care team uses the A1C test. This blood test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months.
According to the American Diabetes Association, a reasonable A1C target for many adults who aren’t pregnant is less than 7% (53 mmol/mol).
But in some cases, your doctor might advise you to set a target that’s slightly lower or higher.
To set an appropriate target, they will take your current condition and medical history into account.
Be compassionate with yourself
If you find it difficult to keep your blood sugar within target range or meet other treatment goals, try not to be too hard on yourself.
Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition that can change over time, even when you follow your recommended treatment plan to a T.
Other life changes and challenges can also pose barriers to meeting your treatment goals.
If you’re struggling to meet your goals, let your care team know.
In some cases, your doctor might recommend changes to your lifestyle strategies, prescribed medications, or other parts of your treatment plan. Over time, they might also adjust your blood sugar targets.
The takeaway
Setting realistic and specific goals may help you lower your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of complications from type 2 diabetes. Your healthcare team can help you set and pursue goals that meet your needs.
Talk with your doctor to learn about some of the goals you could set to help manage your condition.
Medically reviewed on May 17, 2024
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