[DeusXM]

Seeing what happens to people who don't control diabetes works out enough for me. It's all very well people telling you that you'll go blind/lose a leg/end up impotent or whatever if you don't control your diabetes. It's quite another to see someone with a leg missing or stuck on an oxygen tank.

To be honest though, I find the best motivation isn't to do it for yourself - it's to do it for someone else. Got kids? Got someone special in your life? What would it do to them if you didn't look after yourself? Sometimes that thought is all you need to carry on.

[dbc]

Originally Posted by princesslinda

Would testing have stopped all her problems...probably not, but NOT testing allowed her to pretend everything was okay.

!! it's too easy to ignore the disease by not testing. I've never "felt bad" due to highs or lows yet. Testing is the only way I know I've got a health issue to deal with.

Originally Posted by princesslinda

it's just what might happen BEFORE death that bothers me.

I watched a brother-in-law die by degrees due to T1. It scared me into being motivated to do the right things when I was diagnosed. That, and, as others have said, doing it right for the sake of other important people in my life.

That said, I'm not perfect, I occasionally break the rules I have set up for myself.

[caswellhb]

My motivation is that I just want to enjoy my life! My family and friends get more of my attention when I am well and we are able to get so much more from each other.
I think we all go through these phases at some point but the sooner we are able to get back on track, the sooner we start to look forward to a healthy, enjoyable future.

Heather.

[Gary_W]

If you see a 12 year old kid breaking into your car and you know he's going to drive it away and wreck it, do you let him do it because one day the car will break down eventually anyway? Or do you try and stop him?

If someone mugs you and steals your wallet, do you say 'you missed my watch. Oh, and I've got an iPod on my belt' as he walks away?

If you see someone bleeding to death in the road, do you leave them to it? After all, they'll die one day so what's the point?

If the answer to any of the above comes back as a 'no', ask yourself why you have already conceded defeat in respect of diabetes?

Get a grip of yourself and take responsibility. It is worth it for the improved quality of life in the 'here and now'. The future will still bring what it will, but at least you may be able to look yourself in the eye and say you did your best. As opposed to not being able to look yourself in the eye due to them not working.

I know I'll die one day. I'm OK with that (what choice do you have?). When it comes down to it, I don't fear death (though hoping it is a long, long way away ). What I don't much fancy one that is drawn out and painful where I have to entirely rely upon other people; if you are not entirely selfish, do spare a thought for how those that love you would feel about seeing you this way, especially if they beleive you've brought a lot of it on yourself.

Gary

[princesslinda]

Well-said Gary! Anyone, T1 or T2 can relate to your words. Thanks!