Dan Poole joins Team D for his next run in Reykjavík
As many of us know, it is difficult at the best of times to maintain a well balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. We make choices every day to either workout or skip it, to have a little Halloween treat or have some fruit. Dan made a great choice, he visited his doctor and began to take living with diabetes very seriously.
Dan recalls, “I woke up one day with a choice in front of me. I had to make positive changes in order to live a happy life. I made those changes. I changed my diet, changed my exercise regime and as a result I am happy, healthy and motivated and I want to share my story. If I can do it, you can do it.”
He began to monitor his diabetes more closely, visited a dietician, got all his blood work done and made a personal commitment to his health. “I went to my doctor, my diabetes educator and a physical trainer and together they came up with a plan to help me get healthy”. Dan has gone from 240 pounds to 180 pounds and proven to himself that he can do this!
Hoping to inspire others in similar situations, Dan’s biggest piece of advice is to “do your blood sugars”. Knowing the numbers helps Dan understand what foods affect his blood sugar and how he can adapt his diet for the better. Up until about 8 months ago, Dan was using 4 needles a day. Now he uses insulin pump therapy which has given him “freedom to live [his] life properly”. With this new determination and knowledge, Dan is able to make the most of being a member of Team Diabetes.
Like many Team Diabetes alumni, Dan wasn’t always a runner. He exercised sporadically and just hadn’t put a plan in place. Starting off slowly, Dan began walking then gradually got into running and the next thing he knew, he was running 10km and 15km races. It is as if Dan had found the missing link, realizing that “Running has made such a difference in my life. I have more energy, I’ve lost 60 pounds, I am happier, healthier and more focused on life.”
Before Dan knew it, he ran an impressive 10K with Team Diabetes in Calgary and raised an amazing $3,000! With the training well in hand, Dan took on the next challenge of fundraising by simply talking with friends and sending some e-mails to those in his network. We appreciate all his efforts and were happy to be able to give him our “motivation, support, [and] amazing jersey”.
Showing no signs of slowing down, Dan will join the team in Reykjavik, Iceland on August 24, 2013 to run the half marathon. Dan is planning a music benefit to fundraise for his trip to Reykjavik, as he is a member of a Celtic band.
“Whether you are living with diabetes or diabetes affects you in some way through a loved one or a friend this is really a way to give back. To be a part of something that makes a difference. The money goes to a worthwhile cause. You get to join a team and a group of people that really care. It’s fantastic.”
See you in Reykjavik Dan!