The Journey to Stable Blood Sugar Levels 

Albert Bandura’s book, Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control, emphasizes that believing in yourself is key to making positive changes. This belief—your self-efficacy—is not just a predictor of success but also an inner source of optimism and confidence. Imagine what you can achieve when you trust in your abilities! Every small step you take to manage your blood sugar reflects your strength and resilience. Remember, each good choice brings you closer to a healthier, brighter future. 

The Power of the Mind 

Our minds are incredibly powerful. At times, you may feel motivated to change your lifestyle to better manage your blood sugar, yet still crave sugary treats that spike your levels. So, what determines the choice you make? Is it simply a matter of willpower or a one-time decision? Does change happen only when you’re 100% committed? 

A different perspective suggests that change isn’t about being “all in.” In fact, no one is ever fully committed all the time. Instead, change happens when the desire to change outweighs the resistance to it. You might be 60% motivated to manage your blood sugar while 40% still craves dessert. Cravings don’t disappear, but when your drive to make healthier choices becomes stronger than the urge to indulge, you tip the scale in your favor. That’s when you begin to find what works for you—learning to manage cravings while still making progress toward better health. 

The Journey to Lasting Change 

Lasting change doesn’t happen overnight—it takes time to measure real progress. When will you start seeing stable blood sugar levels? It could be as soon as today, but true, lasting change is revealed over time. The key is to believe that lasting change comes from the daily choices you make and repeat. Simply starting to think about it is already a powerful first step. 

The Trap of Perfectionism 

Perfectionism often leads to setting unrealistic standards, creating feelings of inadequacy and mental exhaustion. The constant pursuit of flawlessness can be draining and discouraging, as the fear of mistakes prevents growth and new opportunities. This can hold you back from real progress. 

What about flexibility? Hopefully, you see it as a positive! If not, consider how a little flexibility can shift your perspective. Adaptive flexibility allows you to adjust to different situations while staying true to your values. By embracing this mindset, you can manage emotions, make consistent choices, and create lasting, healthy changes for your future. 

Strategies for Lasting Change 

• Explore Your Values and Visualize Your Goals: Take a moment to picture the positive outcomes of managing your blood sugar. Imagine your healthiest future and how it feels to achieve your goals. Understanding your core values helps guide decisions and keeps you motivated through challenges. When your actions align with your values, you build a strong foundation for lasting change. Visualization is a powerful tool—research shows that athletes who incorporate mental imagery into their training see significant performance gains (8). In fact, combining visualization with physical training is more effective than training alone, even helping maintain strength during injury recovery. Apply this same strategy to your health journey and see the difference it makes! 

• Set Small, Achievable Goals: Break your journey into small, manageable steps to make change feel less overwhelming. Each step forward builds momentum, confidence, and commitment to your larger goal (11). Celebrate every victory—no matter how small—to stay motivated and keep progressing!  

• Embrace Flexible Adaptability: Give yourself permission to adjust your approach as needed. Life is unpredictable, and being flexible helps you stay on track while overcoming challenges. Adaptability allows you to find creative solutions, stay motivated, and keep your goals within reach (8). 

• Prioritize Consistency Over Perfection: Shift your focus from one-time achievements to continuous progress. Sustainable habits are built through repetition and small, consistent improvements. By regularly assessing and adjusting your approach, you can adapt to life’s changes and stay on track toward long-term success (10). 

• Commit to Ongoing Healthy Choices: Consistency is key! Keep reinforcing your healthy habits, no matter how small the steps may seem. Over time, these efforts will add up, strengthening your routine and boosting your confidence. Celebrate progress along the way and embrace the journey toward lifelong well-being. 

• Immerse Yourself in Inspiration: Surround yourself with positive influences—people, media, and communities that motivate and support your journey. Like-minded connections can help you stay focused, reduce stress, and make progress toward your goals with greater confidence and ease (2). 

Embracing the Journey of Change 

Lasting change isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. It’s choosing growth over comfort, even when the path isn’t linear. By visualizing success, staying flexible, and focusing on consistent, small steps, you can take control of your blood sugar health. Your mindset is a powerful tool—use it to shape your future. 

Sending Health Your Way!

The Tula Clinical Team

Austin MS, RDN, CSR, LDN, CD
Aubree RN, BSN