YOU ARE HERE!

Imagine this Scenario- - You are blindfolded and driven to a drop-off point. Your objective is to quickly find your way to the corner of Health & E. What’s the first step you’ll need to take before getting to where you need to be? You’ll need to figure out where you are!

The same is true when it comes to either preventing or developing diabetes. You have to know where you are, and read the signs, to determine where you are going.

Imagine that your life has a map filled with dirt paths, side roads, short cuts, main streets, highways, and tollways. These roads can merge and intersect and lead you through your life’s journey.

On this “life map”, there are several on-ramps for the prediabetes highway (PDH). Avoid being steered in this direction! It may look like a popular and well traveled path, but it will take you in the opposite direction of your desired location.

Sometimes, you may get forced onto the PDH by Age and Ethnicity, or be led in that direction because of Family History and Weight Gain. However, if you make smart decisions, you can avoid the short cuts leading to the PDH, which are typically known as Elevated Blood Sugar, Elevated A1c, Elevated Blood Pressure, and Elevated Cholesterol.

Once on the PDH, there are frequent turn-arounds like Healthy Food Choices, Exercise, and Weight Loss that will allow you to exit and re-enter the express way towards the preferred destination, Health & E .

The longer you stay on the PDH, the fewer opportunities there will be to exit. Instead, you’ll find yourself in cruise control towards the type 2 diabetes (T2D) tollway; which is the quickest route to blindness, heart attack, stroke, amputations, kidney failure, and death.

Given the description of the map above, would you be able to pin-point your whereabouts? Before you place the “YOU ARE HERE” marker on your life map, consider these 3 things:

1- The beginning of the map begins with birth, and the rest of the journey is dictated by both genetics and lifestyle choices. If you are over the age of 30 and eat the typical American diet, you may want to move your marker a little closer to the PDH.

2- Many of the factors that contribute to weight gain can also lead to elevated blood sugar, A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol. These conditions can increase the rate in which a person develops prediabetes and diabetes. So, don’t make assumptions; know your numbers!

3- Most of the 57 million Americans with prediabetes are unaware that they currently have this condition and are at risk of developing full-blown diabetes. No news is not necessarily good news. Talk to your doctor about your risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Early detection provides you with the opportunity to reverse prediabetes and regain your health.

Your life has a map, and the compass is known as an A1c test.

Getting an A1c test is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. This test gives you an opportunity to look at your health from a very unusual perspective. It gives you a "snap shot" of what is happening inside your body.

Using your A1c test results, the Skinny Gene Project will provide you with an individualized "health map" (for educational purposes only). You will be able to clearly see where you are, where you have come from, and in what direction you are heading. With this information, you will be able to determine your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. Order an A1c!

You can prevent diabetes, but you have to catch it before it is too late! CLICK HERE to learn more.

In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, make the commitment to schedule an appointment with your physician and find out your risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes. Keep a record of your weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. If any of these numbers are elevated, take immediate action.

If you do not have insurance or access to a primary care physician, but would like to find out if you may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, please contact the Skinny Gene Project at 1-888-500-2344 ext 2.

* NOTE: ONLY YOUR DOCTOR CAN DIAGNOSE PREDIABETES AND DIABETES

Opening The Curtains Of Hope

Check out our pictures at the end of this post!

WOW, what a fantastic evening! We kicked off the New Year with class, and in our own unique Skinny Gene style. The featured event would be ANNIE, one the great classic musicals of our time. A performance we chose because it inspires HOPE, even in the darkest of times. Little did we know, that while we were working so hard to inspire others, it was our eyes that were ultimately opened in the end.


To understand why this night was so spectacular, let’s rewind and go back to the beginning. It began with a question…


How do we, a new (and financially handicapped:) non-profit organization, introduce our cause to the San Diego community in a way that embodies our overall concept and vision?


Our goal is simple: EDUCATE. EMPOWER. PREVENT DIABETES


Our concept and identity is unique: A new non-profit organization in San Diego that is dedicated to preventing diabetes by helping individuals at risk of developing this disease adopt a healthy lifestyle. In addition to providing the proper tools and resources to fight diabetes, the Skinny Gene Project provides a person with the ability to participate in fun social interactions that reinforce positive lifestyle changes.


Idea: Skinny Gene a classic social experience- Dinner and a Show.


Challenge: Provide a fun and social environment that clearly states who we are, creates awareness about our cause, and embodies our overall concept and vision?


To solve the problem, enter stage left… Red Letter Days (Bek and Mia)- truly an invaluable gift. Their vast understanding of our objectives, attention to detail, and out of the box solutions helped breathe life into the launch of the Skinny Gene Project.


Solution:

1) Have the food catered by a well-known chef that can create delectable dishes that meet our strict dietary requirements

2) Intermix information about our cause into the frame work of the décor and distribute prizes for learning about the Skinny Gene Project

3) Create a social environment that focuses on common interests


We were elated when Bek and Mia informed us that they didn’t want to be just a part of the solution, but they’d rather play an integral role in the continued development of the Skinny Gene Project. They donated their time and services, and they utilized their resources to create a memorable night for all of us.

SHOWTIME

I stood in amazement as our guests were escorted up the stairs to our private reception under the Civic Theatre chandlers. Our guests were eager to learn about who WE are. They shared stories about how diabetes has personally affected their lives, or asked to join our fight to prevent diabetes.


I could clearly see that other people’s desire to support and participate in this cause has always been there. We just needed to provide an opportunity to turn that desire into action.


After seven years of trying to make an impact, it was actually happening! I was finally a part of a movement that would waken our community, and inspire our generation to take part in the reshaping of our community to create a healthier tomorrow.


A BIG THANKS to all the people who attended and participated in bringing our dream to light.