How I danced my way through diabetes

Diabetes can be lifealtering, but it needn't cause panic. A writer tells you how she managed the disease by doing something fun

- Reem Khokhar

274. I will always remember that number. In January 2022, my husband and I decided to get a random health checkup, not having had one in ages. While not expecting perfect results, I was unprepared to find alarmingly elevated blood sugar levels. My fasting blood sugar was 274 (between 70 and 100 are normal/safe levels). I was shocked and deeply upset. I was only 41, and no one my age that I knew had serious health conditions. How could I have let this happen? I never had serious health issues, exercised regularly, ate healthy at home (but did enjoy junk food occasionally). I have a family history of diabetes, but it skipped my parents and landed on me. Considering I had known this, I blamed myself for being careless and not taking more rigorous precautions against diabetes. Doctor consultations, dietary modifications, medication, and daily blood sugar readings followed for the first few weeks. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. But being harsh on myself initially and believing I was responsible also meant I could change things. Diet and medication helped lower my blood sugar, which has been within safe levels for a year now, but I credit a daily practice in emotionally, mentally, and physically managing my condition. This is an account of how dancing helped me with diabetes.