Taking charge of your diabetes through exercise can give you a younger look and feel not to mention …… a younger attitude!

As you read this message, remember this: You don’t pay price to improve your health, you reap benefits of being healthy!

Treatment of diabetes has gone through dramatic changes in past two decades. Previously, exercise was often overlooked as a “cornerstone” in its treatment as it was difficult to maintain blood sugar levels with additional variability introduced by physical activity, especially for individuals with type 1 diabetes.

However, with blood glucose meters now being readily available and affordable, exercise can be done safely and without fear of severely upsetting an often delicate glucose balance. The usual health benefits of exercise apply to individuals with diabetes as well, perhaps even more than normal.

You get up, get showered, get breakfast, get to work. You have bills, therefore you have a job.

But you also have diabetes. You have to care for your diabetes while you're at work. Here are 10 tips for merging your diabetes care with your career.

1. Wear medical identification jewelry

- If you ever need medical assistance at work, emergency medical personnel will know you have diabetes.

2. Decide who to tell

- All things being equal, it might be in your best interest to let a few trusted co-workers or your boss know. Just for your own safety.

3. Give your co-workers a chance

- Don't just assume that your boss won't accommodate you, or that your co-workers won't be helpful. Give them a chance to grasp what diabetes is and understand how they can help you, particularly if you've been diagnosed since starting your current job. Diabetes may be as new to them as it is to you.

4. Get it in writing

- If necessary, get a doctor's note. It may help to get a medical statement from your doctor saying what your diabetes care needs are. Present it to your company nurse or human resources department, and make sure your supervisor gets a copy.

5. Be your own advocate

- Your local hospital or diabetes center may offer programs through which diabetes educators can come to your workplace and explain to your human resources department, supervisors, or co-workers what diabetes is and how they can make workplace more diabetes-friendly. See if your employer is willing to host such a program.

6. Don't abuse system

- Unfortunately, there are people who claim extensive health challenges and reap disability benefits their situation may not warrant. That makes it harder for everyone. It's best to save sick days and disability pay for when you really need them.

7. Plan ahead

- The biggest challenge many people with diabetes face is access to meals and breaks. Have snacks readily available should you need to treat a low.