The Remission Mindset: 5 Truths to Move From Managing Diabetes to Remission
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This no-fluff episode gives you the remission mindset you need to go from coping to conquering. We share five truths that help you stop the slide, take charge, and put type 2 diabetes into remission. It’s bold. It may feel uncomfortable. It could change your life.
What You’ll Learn
- Why the remission mindset beats “management”
- The 5 truths that make remission possible and sustainable
- How to stop fueling the disease so it withers
- How common diabetes and prediabetes are (it’s half of US adults)
- What late-stage diabetes really looks like (so you don’t go there)
- The hidden costs (money, mood, time, family, freedom)
- The key checks that protect your eyes, feet, kidneys, and heart
- Why you need help and how to get it
- A simple 5-year plan to guide your next steps
Quick Stats We Discuss
- 1 in 2 US adults has diabetes or prediabetes (many don’t know it).
- Type 2 diabetes raises heart attack and stroke risk 4–5 times.
- Diabetes is the #1 cause of non-accidental amputations.
- Nearly 1 in 5 teens (12–18) and 1 in 4 young adults (19–34) have prediabetes.
- Annual US diabetes cost: $413 billion.
- People with diabetes pay about $4,800 more out-of-pocket each year (not counting ER or hospital stays).
The 5 Truths of the Remission Mindset
- You are responsible for your health
Your doctor cares, but you are with you all day. Most primary care visits are short. Generic advice won’t cut it. You must lead. This is not about blame. It is about power. When you lead, you win.
How to act:
- Treat your health like your top job.
- Know your numbers. Track them.
- Learn fast. Apply faster.
- Managing diabetes is a losing strategy
“Management” means living with the disease. Remission means moving away from it. You don’t want an “okay” level of harm. You want the harm gone. Patch the hole in the boat, don’t just bail water.
How to act:
- Stop fueling the disease. Cut the inputs that drive high blood sugar.
- Make food, sleep, movement, and stress habits work for you.
- Aim for progress every week. Momentum matters.
- Diabetes is that bad
We say this with love. The risks are real: blindness, kidney failure, amputations, stroke, heart disease, and more. Most people say, “No one told me.” We are telling you now—so you can act now.
How to act:
- Take this seriously before a crisis hits.
- Do the checks that prevent the worst (see “Protective Checks” below).
- Build your “why”: family, freedom, years of good life.
- Diabetes is expensive
Not only money, but time, energy, and joy. Missed trips. Skipped parties. Worry at every meal. Complex med regimens. ER visits for highs and lows. It adds up.
How to act:
- Spend now on prevention and skills, not later on crisis care.
- Simplify your regimen by changing your habits.
- Ask, “Is this choice worth a year of my life?”
- You need help
This is hard to do alone. Not because you’re weak, but because life, food, stress, and systems are stacked against you. The right team and plan make the road shorter, safer, and faster.
How to act:
- Get expert coaching focused on remission (not just “management”).
- Use a clear plan, simple rules, and steady support.
- Keep going when it gets tough. You are worth it.
important note: Type 2 vs Type 1
This episode speaks about type 2 diabetes remission. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition and is different. We love our type 1 community. This show’s remission content is for type 2.
Protective Checks That Save Vision, Feet, Kidneys, and Heart
- Annual dilated eye exam: Prevent up to 90% of diabetes-related blindness with early treatment.
- Regular foot exams and education: Prevent up to 85% of amputations.
- Blood pressure control: Cut kidney decline by about one-third.
- Cholesterol improvement: Reduce heart risks by 20–50%.
- Smart insulin use: If you are on insulin, learn how food, timing, and doses work together to avoid dangerous lows.
Note on lows and highs: Many ER visits happen when insulin does not match food. Complex regimens make this more likely. A simpler path, with better habits, reduces that risk.
How to Starve the Disease and Feed Your Health
- Food: Choose foods that do not spike blood sugar. Eat enough protein. Favor fiber. Cut ultra-processed foods.
- Sleep: Keep a steady sleep schedule. Poor sleep drives insulin resistance.
- Movement: Move daily. Walk after meals. Build strength.
- Stress: Lower stress where you can. Use simple resets: breath work, short walks, sunlight, journaling.
- Environment: Make the healthy choice the easy choice at home and work.
Remember: When you stop fueling the disease, it starts to wither.
Your Action Step This Week
Do the 5-year plan exercise:
- If you could not fail, where do you want your health to be in 5 years?
- Are yesterday’s habits taking you there? Be honest.
- If yes, keep going and level up.
- If no or not sure, get help and get a plan.
Take one step today:
- Book your dilated eye exam if you haven’t this year.
- Schedule a foot check.
- Plan your next 3 dinners with protein, fiber, and fewer carbs.
- Walk 10–15 minutes after your next meal.
- Go to bed 30 minutes earlier tonight.
Small steps, done daily, lead to big change.
Timestamps
- 00:00 – Why the remission mindset matters now
- 01:00 – Amber’s takeaways from the ADCES conference
- 05:00 – The “1 in 2 adults” wake-up call
- 06:00 – The five truths overview
- 08:00 – Truth 1: You are responsible for your health
- 14:00 – Truth 2: Managing is a losing strategy
- 20:00 – Truth 3: Diabetes is that bad (real-world outcomes)
- 35:00 – Truth 4: Diabetes is expensive (money and more)
- 55:00 – Truth 5: You need help (why support changes outcomes)
- 1:05:00 – Your 5-year plan and first steps
Quotes
- “Managing diabetes is a losing strategy. Aim for remission.”
- “There isn’t an acceptable amount of a disease you want to live with.”
- “If you stop fueling the disease, it starts to wither.”
Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not replace a one-on-one relationship with your physician or qualified healthcare professional. Always talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or care team before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, exercise plan, or nutrition plan—especially if you have diabetes, prediabetes, heart, liver, or kidney conditions, or take prescription drugs like metformin or insulin.
Results vary from person to person. Examples, statistics, or studies are shared to educate, not to promise outcomes. Any discussion of medications, dosing, or side effects is general in nature and may not be appropriate for your specific situation. Do not ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read or heard here. If you think you are experiencing an emergency or severe side effects (such as persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea, signs of dehydration, allergic reaction, or symptoms of lactic acidosis), call your local emergency number or seek urgent care right away.
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