Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disorder associated with a family history of diabetes, obesity, and even lack of exercise. For many years, type 2 diabetes has typically been linked to myths, ideas, and misconceptions that people with this form of diabetes are always fat and lazy due to their inactive lifestyle. On the contrary, reviews show that anyone can develop type 2 diabetes … even lean, active people. This way of thinking makes many people wonder if type 2 diabetics can be great athletes.

Research has shown that they can! People with diabetes only need:

• make firm decisions,
• be proactive and
• Maintain a positive attitude towards your health.

In this way they can lead a normal life like other athletes who do not have type 2 diabetes. It does not matter what type of athletics they practice, as long as they exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

To prove it, many of the best athletes in the world have chronic type 2 diabetes. Take a look at this list:

• Serena Williams … a woman known for dominating women’s tennis.
• Lionel Messi … one of the best footballers of all time.
• Sidney Crosby … a world class hockey player.
• Steve Redgrave … won his fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.
• Adam Morrison … an NBA star who plays for the Charlotte Bobcats.
• Gary Hall … Olympic gold medal winner in swimming.
• Kendall Simmons … offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

These people have made the decision that diabetes is not going to control their lives … these athletes accepted the challenge and decided that they were going to control their lives and their diabetes. They know that the condition can be kept at bay as long as they are willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

The key to managing disease is controlling what is put into the body for energy and how effectively that energy is used. Food choices are the first half of this equation, as this is where most people stumble. The leaner the body, the more effective it is at burning available calories. The more excess weight your body is, the more difficult it is for it to fight to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

As athletes can tell you, exercise is the other important factor in managing type 2 diabetes. While athletes may be well-conditioned to endure strenuous levels of activity, any individual, regardless of their fitness level, can begin with low-impact exercise to build strength and trim your body fat. Athletes are not born in excellent shape, each one has to start at the beginning.