Famous Diabetic Athletes

Who are some famous diabetic athletes and how do they manage their diabetes? Are you a diabetic? Do you know the pain of trying to balance sugar levels with carbohydrates, endurance and building muscle?  Or the frustration of a low blood sugar which can prevent you from completing a workout?

Low blood sugar levels decrease athletes’ skills and abilities approximately 25% of the time! Who are some famous diabetic athletes and how do they do it?

• Olympian Gary Hall, Jr. – Gary swims sprint distances that often last less than a minute.  Although he was a swimmer before being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, he got help from nutritionists and medical professionals to adjust his diet and insulin to continue his training. Gary won the gold and was determined not to give up.
• Olympian Kris Freeman – Kris is also a type 1 diabetic who is a cross-country skier. He also has worked hard to balance training in this competitive sport that can last hours! When diagnosed, his Doctor told him he would probably need to stop competing. But Kris is a fighter and refused to give up! Diabetics who are successful end up learning to have high levels of discipline! In fact, this trait in famous diabetic athletes can give them the upper hand. Kris has been researching what works best for him with his insulin levels in the midst of his Olympic competition.  He works to mimic the blood-sugar levels of the nondiabetic person.
• Missy Foy – Missy is an ultra-marathoner who is also a type 1 diabetic. She knows it takes lots of trials and errors to control her diabetes and insulin levels. Missy learned she had type 1 diabetes just as she was launching her professional running career. She practiced her marathon runs with her coach to figure out when and what she needed to eat to be able to compete and do well!

Several professional football and basketball athletes have become famous in addition to being succeessful with their diabetes.

• Jay Leeuwenburg - Jay is a former NFL player who was a 12-year-old boy who loved sports when he started losing weight in addition to having an unquenchable thirst. Jay’s doctor diagnosed him with type 1 diabetes. He also took his athletic passion and went on to a nine-year NFL career.
• Chris Dudley – Chris, a former NBA basketball player was 16 when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He had typical signs which included excessive thirst and frequent urination. Thanks to his dabetic uncle, he realized Chris has blood sugar that was way too high for the normal person.
• Jay Cutler – Jay, a Chicago Bears Quarterback is another type 1 diabetic.  Jay was diagnosed after he lost a lot of weight and felt like he lost all of his energy. 
  

Famous diabetic athletes wear insulin pumps and check their glucose levels throughout the day.  There are many diabetic athletes who I haven’t mentioned! Many play other sports such as hockey, tennis or golf. Others enjoy cycling, or sprint running!

If you are like me, you  just enjoy working out and exercising. You know it  takes hard work, discipline and determination. It’s not impossible to accomplish! Remember this: There are many diabetics who have become famous diabetic athletes!