Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. It is described as a ‘chronic’ condition, meaning that it lasts a long time, often for someone’s whole life.

Diabetes requires daily self-care and if complications develop, quality of life is reduced.

There are different types of diabetes; all types are complex and serious.

The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

Basically when people with diabetes eat glucose, which is found in most food groups, it can’t be converted into energy. Instead of being turned into energy the glucose stays in the blood resulting in high blood glucose levels. After eating, the glucose is carried around your body in your blood which can cause problems.

Eating well helps manage your blood glucose levels and your body weight. The right exercise helps you reduce your weight and helps the insulin work more effectively. Modest weight loss (<10% body weight) in an overweight/obese person:

Improves insulin sensitivity
Improves glycaemic control
Reduces body fat percentage
Improves blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors
May reduce or even eliminate the need for medications (T2DM)
May reduce insulin dose (T1DM)

Diabetes Lifestyle Education Program

About the program:

Education based program allowing for self-management of condition.
The Diabetes Lifestyle Education Program was developed by and is run by experienced Exercise Physiologists and Dietitians
72% of patients that attended all sessions of this program improved their BMI (weight loss) and HbA1C levels (improved sugar control).
Almost 50% of patients that did not complete the program saw an increase in their HbA1C (worse sugar control).
Initial assessment is completed by the Exercise Physiologist (EP)
8 group based education sessions with the EP and Dietitian taking 4 sessions each in small groups of 6-10 people
Individual follow-ups and exercise maintenance program may also be available after or during program completion.
**Program is also suitable if you have pre-diabetes but no Medicare rebates available

Some of the topics covered are:

Exercise and diet to optimise your diabetes
Exercise and diet to aid weight loss
Portion control for diet
How much carbohydrates should you have
Healthy food choices
Food label reading
Introduction to exercise to optimise diabetes
How much exercise to do
Tips to help you stick to an exercise routine
Strength training for sugar control

What you need to do to start the program:

Speak to your local GP to see if you are eligible for the diabetes lifestyle education program.
If eligible your GP needs to prepare a referral form for the group sessions. This form is called “Allied Health Group Services under Medicare for patients with Type II Diabetes” and if possible please include your latest and previous HbA1c results.
Once you have a referral you then need to book an assessment with the Exercise Physiologist.
After you complete the assessment you will receive a letter with the dates for the group sessions.