Diabetes' magic pill: A new lifestyle

Diabetes affects almost 26 million Americans. Another 79 million have prediabetes. Christine Cross was one of them.

Over the years, the craziness of life meant Christine couldn't and didn't focus on what she ate and what she did for physical activity. Then, one day, Christine received her wake-up call. Like many people, diabetes runs in her family. Her doctor said if she didn't change her lifestyle, she would be battling the disease, too. She saw a dietitian, then a personal trainer. She lost 66 pounds, became more toned and increased her strength and energy levels.

Q. What advice do you have for others battling diabetes or who could find themselves fighting it soon?

A. It takes determination to change your ways. Most people want an overnight fix. A lifestyle change isn't an overnight fix. The whole issue of diabetes, what you have to do, what you can't do, is really overwhelming and you feel like your life is no longer yours. You have to decide "I'm going to take control." You know you have to have positive words, too. I didn't call it a diet. Diet is another term for failure.

For more information on diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org.