“I was headed for a diabetic coma and had no idea.”

Other than a hip replacement around 2015, SwimRVA wellness member Michael was a relatively healthy person. After an annual physical in 2019, he was told that he was pre-diabetic and his doctor would simply monitor his situation. However, before he reached his next physical, Michael found himself in the hospital on the verge of a diabetic coma.

Unaware of his family history with diabetes, Michael did not know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease. “I was having issues and was skeptical about going to the doctor”, he explained. “I didn’t know until after I got it that my mother had it, my sister had it, my brother had it. I didn’t know, because we don’t talk about stuff like that.”

It wasn’t until his wife Regina and his boss raised concerns that he agreed to a second opinion. Regina drove him straight to the emergency room where the couple was told that Michael had extremely high blood sugar levels and was headed for a diabetic coma.

After three days in the hospital, Michael was discharged and was faced with a new challenge: keeping his diabetes under control. Aside from the necessary lifestyle changes, Michael also had to face his hatred for “needles and blood” with necessary daily testing of his levels. After educating himself through Bon Secours Program for Diabetes Health and clearing out his pantry for a completely new diet change, there was just one more piece to add: exercise.

Aggravated by the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple struggled to maintain an active routine. They went for walks on local trails, but were limited by the change in weather. With inactivity, Michael began to find that daily movement became difficult, as standing from a chair after sitting became a challenge among other challenges. “I couldn’t bend over without a lot of pain”, he reflected. Through their insurance, they discovered that they were eligible to join a gym. After visiting a few, they decided on SwimRVA and became members in 2023.

The couple began attending classes at SwimRVA a couple of days per week and increased their frequency at every chance they could. “I don’t like her waking me up at 7 o’clock in the morning when I’m retired to come to class”, Michael explained, “But what I do like is even though as much as I hate getting up, after I come and go back, it’s much better. To be honest with you, a lot of the things I was having problems with have corrected themselves since I’ve been here.” Daily tasks such as getting in and out the car, bending over, and getting up and down became simpler and less painful. Exercises like “bathroom steps” from his water fitness classes have helped with these everyday activities.

Michael and Regina have also established a daily step goal which has turned into a competition between the two. While classes at SwimRVA contribute to their daily steps, the couple also looks for other ways to meet their goals such as walking around during television commercials and making a few extra laps around the grocery store before shopping.

Taking wellness classes at SwimRVA has also positively impacted Regina’s health. Since becoming a member, Regina has regained control of her work life balance which has helped her to manage her weight more efficiently. Currently, she is involved with The Garden of Eden Health Center’s Be Well program to incorporate a whole and plant based diet as much as possible.

With the addition of a conscious, healthy diet and frequent exercise, Michael and Regina have made significant improvements to their health, even going so far as to decrease dependency on various medications. “I think what’s helping me more than anything”, reflected Michael, “…exercise. It’s critical.”

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November is National Diabetes Month. To learn more about Diabetes including signs and symptoms, prevention, resources, and more, visit https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes.