A New Life and an Old Love

Margaret N. is living proof that one good thing can lead to another. Within a year of being diagnosed with prediabetes, she had a stronger, healthier body—and had rekindled an old romance. "It's been quite a year," she admits.

The process began with the news at age 74 that she had "borderline" type 2 diabetes. "I wanted to do everything I could to stay on the right side of the border," Margaret recalls. Step one was to meet with a team of dietitians at a nearby diabetes clinic to come up with an eating plan. She also took up walking. And soon, the good things began: she started feeling stronger and more energetic, gradually losing 30 pounds. Most important, her blood-glucose levels returned to the normal range.

On the day Margaret turned 75, she got a "Happy Birthday" e-mail from a man she'd reluctantly turned down when he asked her to marry him 32 years ago. "Javier still remembered my birthday, after all those years!" she remarks. Though their lives' paths had diverged—he was now divorced and retired, living on the other side of the country, and she was a widow—they still had strong feelings for each other. Now their rekindled romance is back in full swing, albeit in long-distance form. "I love when he comes to visit because I have someone to walk with," laughs Margaret.

For Margaret, staying on top of her diabetes is largely a matter of portion control. Because she lives alone, she avoids bringing home large-quantity foods, especially of the fruits and breads she loves. Instead of buying a whole watermelon, for example, she'll buy a smaller package of cut-up pieces and just have a little. She doesn't deny herself treats; rather, she enjoys them at restaurants instead of keeping them around the house. "I rarely have ice cream, but when I do, I get a single-serving ice cream bar."

Margaret also balances her meals throughout the day, eating just a cup of cottage cheese or sugar-free yogurt for dinner if she’s had a big lunch. "I like to make lunch the biggest meal, because I've got most of the day still ahead of me to move around and work it off. And chances are she'll be doing that with Javier, her favorite walking partner: "We both go at about the same pace." It’s just one more way they're compatible.