Are You Avoiding Your Diabetes Reality? Here's How to Face It

We've all done it. Made excuses. Looked the other way. Blamed the system. Convinced ourselves that "feeling fine" means everything must be okay.

As a GP who's worked with hundreds of people living with type 2 diabetes, I've noticed these patterns time and time again. And here's what I want you to know: if you're avoiding your diabetes reality, you're not alone. More importantly, you're not weak, and you're not failing.

Why We Hide From Our Health Reality

Let's be honest about why we avoid facing our diabetes:

• Fear of bad news (those health checks can feel like judgment)
• Feeling overwhelmed by all the things we "should" be doing
• Guilt about past choices or habits
• The belief that ignorance is bliss
• Feeling let down by the healthcare system

Signs You Might Be in Avoidance Mode:

• You're constantly blaming the NHS for lack of support, rather than taking initiative to research and learn for yourself
• You've missed or cancelled recent healthcare appointments
• You avoid looking in full-length mirrors or having photos taken
• You've stopped weighing yourself or get angry when family mentions your weight
• You hide from clothes shopping because you don't want to face your size
• You make excuses about why you can't exercise ("my knees hurt" or "I'm too busy")
• You change the subject when family members mention diabetes or health
• You avoid social situations where your eating habits might be noticed
• You tell yourself "I'll start taking care of this next week/month/year"
• You're stockpiling medications but not taking them regularly
• You've stopped opening letters from your GP surgery

Let's Talk About the NHS for a Moment

Yes, our NHS is stretched. Yes, appointment times are often short, and waiting lists can be long. But here's the truth: while the NHS is an incredible resource, it was never designed to be our only source of health support.

In today's world, we have access to:

• Reliable diabetes information websites
• Community support groups
• Health tracking apps
• Online exercise resources
• Nutrition guidance
• Success stories from others who've been where you are

The key is taking initiative. Your health journey doesn't have to wait for an NHS appointment.

Breaking Free: Your Step-by-Step Guide 

1. Start With Self-Compassion

Before anything else, take a deep breath and show yourself some kindness. Avoiding health issues often comes from a place of fear or overwhelm, not laziness. Understanding this is your first step toward change.

2. Take Baby Steps (Really, Really Small Ones)

Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, pick ONE tiny action:

• Take a 5-minute walk after dinner
• Try on those jeans you've been avoiding
• Open and read one healthcare letter
• Download a simple food tracking app
• Book that overdue check-up

3. Create a Safety Net

• Find one person you trust to talk to about your diabetes
• Join an online support group where others understand
• Write down your fears - sometimes seeing them on paper makes them less overwhelming
• Connect with others who are on the same journey

4. Build a Morning Routine

Starting your day with healthy choices is powerful because:

• You haven't had time to talk yourself out of it
• It sets a positive tone for the day
• You get it done before life gets busy
• Small morning wins lead to better choices all day

5. Celebrate Small Victories

Did you:

• Choose a healthy breakfast? Victory!
• Walk for 5 minutes? Victory!
• Make a doctor's appointment? Massive victory!
• Read about diabetes management? You're on a roll!

6. Change Your Internal Dialogue

Instead of:

"The NHS isn't helping me enough"

Try:

"What can I learn and do for myself today?"

Instead of:

"I've been avoiding this for so long, it's too late now"

Try:

"Today is the perfect day to start"

Instead of:

"I can't exercise because my knees hurt"

Try:

"What movement can I do that feels good?"

Real Talk: A Personal Story

One of my patients (let's call her Sarah) avoided everything diabetes-related for nearly a year. She blamed her GP for not giving her enough support, avoided weighing herself, and made excuses about why she couldn't exercise. When she finally came to see me, she was terrified of judgment.

But here's what happened: we started small. Just one positive choice each day. No grand plans, no massive overhauls - just one small action. Within weeks, she felt more in control. Not because everything was perfect (it wasn't), but because she was finally facing reality and taking action.

Moving Forward

Remember this: every single person who's successfully managed their diabetes started from a place of uncertainty. The difference isn't in their starting point - it's in their willingness to take that first small step.

Your Next Step

Choose ONE tiny action from this post. Just one. Write it down. Do it tomorrow morning. That's it.

If you'd like support on this journey, I'm here to help. Our Blood Sugar Mastery program is designed specifically for people who are ready to stop avoiding and start acting - but at a pace that feels manageable and supportive. I also have mini courses and events if you want to start small.

But I have so many videos and blogs that could help you why not start there?

Remember: You don't have to see the whole path to take the first step. You just have to take that step.

Dr. Nerys Frater

P.S. If this post resonated with you, share it with someone who might need to read it too. Sometimes knowing we're not alone in our struggles is the most powerful medicine of all.