My name is Jose and I have type 2 diabetes, I was diagnosed in December 2009. Both my Mom, Dad and second older Brother have diabetes, I knew that I was walking around with a big red target on my back.

For the first two days after I got the news I was in the “why me” mode. I remember one day I was sitting in-front of the computer listening to itunes when “Drive On” by Johnny Cash started playing and for some reason I have never really listened to the lyrics of that songs till that day. It really spoke to me to the point where I started to cry that’s when I decided that I was not going to cripple me or dictate my life, I was going to beat this.

After that I started changing my life style around but not giving up what I use to enjoy like burgers, burritos and pasta all the usual meats and buns got replaced with whole grain and turkey if not chicken and lots of veggies. I started eating organic foods and gluten free products and started watching and counting my calories, I do admit I still have some trouble with portion control but I am getting better.

I also started getting a lot more exercise into my life style working out twice a day for an hour for each workout. I took up biking, walking, running and weights. Ever since I felt a lot different physically.

I am glad that I have had such a great women by my side that has stood by me since the beginning of all of this and went as far as changing her eating habits to make sure that I don’t slip.

With all that said I am proud to say that I have brought down my A1C from my first doctors visit which was at a 10.4 to 7.9 to 5.9 in the short time that I have been diagnosed and I have also went down in pant size.