Before my injury at the age of 24, I led an active and healthy lifestyle, maintaining a slim physique and enjoying good health. As is typical for individuals in their 20s, I was agile and full of energy. However, everything changed drastically after my injury. In hindsight, a few months following my discharge from the hospital, I displayed typical symptoms of diabetes, but neither I nor my family paid much attention to it, as it was highly unlikely to develop diabetes at such a young age.

It wasn’t until I went to India for eye surgery in 1999 that I was tested and diagnosed with diabetes. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of diabetes, it can be attributed to various factors, such as prolonged stress and frustration due to disability, complete bed rest for nearly seven months, a complete lifestyle change, and medication.

I had been taking medication, such as prednisolone, for an extended period, which likely contributed to my diagnosis. I remember a nurse at the Eye Hospital Colombo warning me that it was not good for me to be on this medication for so long. Although I primarily received treatment at the eye hospital, I occasionally visited the national hospital for long-term treatment for injuries to my upper body. As a result, it is unclear which doctor prescribed prednisolone, whether it was the plastic surgeon or the eye surgeon.

Regardless of the cause, what is important is how I have managed my diabetes in the 15 years since my injury.

Around a month ago, the in-house doctor at Abimansala complimented me on my lipid profile result, saying that my reading was significantly better than that of an average person. This was a great compliment, as it demonstrated how committed I am to managing my diabetes in a disciplined manner.

I am aware that proper medication, exercise, a healthy diet, and a stress-free mindset are the primary components of managing diabetes. Over the past 15 years, I have been able to fulfill these requirements more efficiently while also enjoying life. As a result of my efforts, I believe that I have achieved excellent results each time I undergo a fasting blood sugar test or a lipid profile in recent times.

With the title of this post being “My Regular Gym Workout,” I want to highlight the exercises that I have been doing regularly and the benefits that I have gained from this routine.

Typically, I visit the gymnasium every morning at approximately 6:30 am and exercise for at least an hour. This has been my practice since I began working out a few years after losing my sight, and I developed the habit of exercising during my time at Ranaviru Sevana – Ragama.

There’s a saying that “motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going.” So, when something is done repeatedly with interest, it becomes a habit. I’m now addicted to morning exercises, and I feel really upset if I can’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances. I consider it to be a positive addiction since it helps me manage diabetes, keep me fit, slim, full of energy, and maintain a positive image of myself.

I commence my workout routine with some stretching, followed by approximately 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercises. If I have a guide runner available, I incorporate some running. If not, I use a treadmill or orbitrack to warm up. Once I am adequately warmed up, I perform dynamic joint exercises, such as circling, jumping, and stretching. Then, I do a specific number of sit-ups, push-ups, and squats. Finally, I engage in some power training to strengthen my muscles using either a total gym or weights. I conclude the workout with additional stretching and some relaxing activities.