Fabulous story of Jill Knapp, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2005. She did not let her diabetes hold her back, determined she lost 100 pounds contested for Mrs.Idaho Pageant and won Runner-up. Meet her at getupandgetmoving and learn how she is trying to motive people with diabetes.

1) When were you first diagnosed with diabetes were you obese as a child too ?

I was diagnosed July 2007.  I was adopted so I am not sure if diabetes runs in my family.  I was a dancer when I was young and did not have any weight problems.  It was not until after marriage many family deaths miscarriages, and just being mom that I put on the weight.

2) How did you go through that emotional and psychological phase when first diagnosed ?

I was totally drained of energy.  My son who was born ill and was very ill his first year of life was just under a year when I found out I was type 2 diabetic.  The diagnoses did come as a shock but also a wake up call.  It served as a big wake-up call.  I was depressed for about 24 hrs but then started to realize that I needed to turn my depression into action and beat this.

3) When did start acting on your over-weight problem which led  you to diabetes ?

With in a few day’s of my diagnoses I started doing research on Type 2 and made up a eating plan. Started working out and getting more sleep.  I took action right away.  It took a few years but I lost 100 pounds!

4) Can you please list some good tools/resources (books, websites, and material) that you think are helpful for a diabetic ?

a) Shapefit b) tudiabetes c) sparkpeople d)  diabetes

Jill - Before and After losing 100 Pounds

5) Educate us on how you started eating healthy and make that 180 degree lifestyle change ?

I read read and read more on how a diabetic should eat and did just that. Cut out all refined sugar started eating veggies.  Lot’s of veggies.

6) Give us a snapshot of what you eat daily and share us two best diabetic recipes for our audience?

Here is a tipical day of my eating plan: I eat 6 times a day.

Each morning before you eat anything have an 8oz class of water.
Breakfast   :  Oatmeal or a protein shake
Lunch         :  1/2 turkey sandwich loaded with lettuce and tomatoes. whole wheat bread no white!! veggies
PM Snack  :  1 protein bar
PM Snack  :  Med Apple
Dinner        :  3 ounces chicken breast or Salmon, 1 cup wheat pasta with red pasta sauce.
Steamed veggies of your choice or bowl of fresh raw veggies
PM snack :  A few wheat thins with a piece of string cheese.

If you will be at the office or gone for the whole day you need to pre-plan your meals ahead of time. You will want to take everything will you so you have no room to fail. Doing this for YOU is important.
Be good to yourself!! You deserve

7) What kind of exercises (cardio, weights) did you do and for how much time ?

I worked out five days a week, cardio mixed with weight training was my exercise routine.

8 How did your family help you in this whole journey ?

They were so supportive. Everyone eats better now. after losing 100 pounds I competed in the Mrs. Idaho Pageant and placed 2nd runner up and won the best interview award.  It was wonderful to have my family there cheering me on.  With doing the pageant I built a platform on diabetes awareness.  I  have a web site now empowering others that have type 2 diabetes sharing health tips and other helpful information.

9) List three virtues that a person should possess to fight diabetes and obesity?

• Patience
• Persistence
• Faith

10) What one thing would people be surprised to learn from you ?

Jill with Dr. OZ

That I still fight to this day to keep the weight off.  It’s hard work and some think now that I have it off it magically stays off. Not!! I workout 5 days a week and still to this day watch what I eat.

11) You give people lot of tips, give us 3 best tips to manage your blood sugars ?

• Cut out sugar
• Eat small meals throughout the day
• Eat healthy food not junk

12) What is your experience as a diabetic advocate?

I love being a diabetes advocate. I love helping others learn they can control and fight the fight.  I love helping anyway I can to educate others.  It’s my passion and life and so be it if I had to get type 2 diabetes to find my passion.  I have met so many amazing people in my journey that I feel blessed!!