Here’s a bit of trivia about me – I am prediabetic.

This is a serious condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels that is not yet classified officially as diabetes. Prediabetes almost always precedes type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of diabetes. Prediabetes is caused by insulin resistance.

You can read more about prediabetes here and type 2 diabetes here.

I was diagnosed two years ago, just a few weeks before my wedding (I guess right around now. Happy prediabetes diagnosis anniversary to me.) I was prescribed Metformin and warned that it might cause weight gain. Um, weight gain before my wedding? When I’ve been training twice per week with a trainer AND working out every other day on my own AND dieting? Suffice to say I didn’t take the diagnosis seriously and put off taking the medicine until after our honeymoon. Side note: In my defense, Kim – a registered nurse – said it was okay! Yes, I just vilified my sister to absolve myself of personal responsibility. And what?

I think I was a bit incredulous that my diagnosis was real. At the time, I a fit twenty-six-year-old who was no stranger to the gym and an active lifestyle. I did eat like a pig, but definitely not more than any friends or family. My grandmother has diabetes, but that’s about it. I wasn’t even close to overweight. I believe I weighed the same as I do now – 116-118 lbs. I have proof! Here I am circa 2010 in a random restaurant in downtown Puerto Vallarta on our honeymoon.

What are the chances?

As it turns out, quite a high chance, actually. According to a press release from the NYC Department of Health, the highest percentage of prediabetes in 2004 was within the Asian population. Must be all that rice and fruit.

On the other hand, my diagnosis is relatively uncommon for my age. Good to know that I beat the odds on this one.

After our honeymoon, I was mostly compliant with my doctor’s orders and tried to take my medication everyday. More often than not, though, I’d forget and skip a few days. I still ate copious amounts of mochi ice cream, watermelon paletas, and carbs, carbs, carbs. Not only did I gain weight, I probably also shaved a few years from my life.

All this to explain that my recent weight loss resolve isn’t just about achieving the perfect bikini body. It’s mostly about achieving the perfect bikini body, but also about finally committing to managing my prediabetes with an consistently active lifestyle and no/low-sugar diet.

There’s no turning back. This past month has shown me that I can do this. I hope by taking my blog in this new direction, I can encourage people in similar situations.

If you’re in a similar situation, I’d love to hear about how you manage your prediabetes, since I don’t know anyone else diagnosed with this condition.

Side note: The doctor who prescribed me Metformin was misinformed. This medication actually supports weight loss, not weight gain. A friend of mine who is a doctor confirmed this. Metformin has also been criticized as a way of enabling a destructive lifestyle because it helps you lose weight. I, however, have experienced none of the aforementioned weight loss while taking Metformin.