Updated April 29, 2014.

I have had diabetes for over 20 years, diagnosed in my early 20's. I had always been a thin child and adolescent, but when I became an adult all that changed very quickly followed by a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. At my heaviest I was around 280 pounds and was in very bad shape with other health issues starting to become a concern. I have since lost over 100 pounds. Let me share some quick diabetes weight loss advice, and hopefully it may help you too.

I am still in the midst of my weight loss journey as I have a ways to go until I reach my goal weight. I have done this slowly and have kept from regaining the weight I've lost for a couple years now.

Having diabetes can make weight loss more of a struggle as your body literally works against you. You try to lose weight while it transforms itself into an efficient weight-making, weight-retaining machine. Hyperinsulinemia can be the culprit.

Here is a list of some advice I would like to share with you.

• Be flexible. I tried many diets and programs along the way until I found a lifestyle I could live with. If you stop seeing benefits with a plan or it is not working with your life, then regroup and reevaluate. Try something else. Seek advice or information. You did not fail, you took a step closer to a better answer. Here is a list of diets for diabetics.
• Think about how your quality of life will be improved. I don't mean being able to wear better clothes or just looking better. I mean think about how you will remain functional, healthy, feel better, and live longer. When I improved my diet and lifestyle I suffered less from aches and pains, complications, malaise, and physical limitations. I feel like a whole other person. Here is some advice on diabetes lifestyle changes to improve your quality of life too.

• Keep moving forward. If you have a bad day or fall off the wagon, that happens. Get back on. Even a baby step in the right direction is still progress. Celebrate even small positive actions.
• Don't worry about the past. Don't stress about tomorrow. Just do your best today.
• Start slow and don't overstress yourself. Be realistic and remember you need to adopt a lifestyle you can sustain. You do not need to train like an Olympian or starve yourself to see progress. Believe me, I made that mistake and wasted many years and sustained a lot of injuries. You just need to be smarter.
• If it has been a while since you've exercised, do baby steps. Remember you are like a wind-up clock. Any activity or exercise you do winds up your clock and rewards you with more energy and motivation later. Even just sitting in a chair and moving your arms up and down or just light dancing around for one minute can make a difference. In a short time you will feel more energy to do more. Keep winding up that clock and get rewarded with more energy.
• Educate yourself and use this knowledge no matter what program you are on. Learn about carb counting, how to improve insulin sensitivity, learn about hyperinsulinemia and good lifestyle practices. Knowing what is happening in your body helps with motivation. Remember to work with your doctor and avail yourself of their expertise and guidance.
• Keep learning and motivate yourself with magazines and books. Find friends. Try out helpful smartphone apps.
• Find activities you find fun. We are all different and no one-size-fits-all. I've done the gym, personal training, you name it. In the end my favorite activity is playing a game called Dance Factory on my old Playstation or just turning music on and dancing.