I'm a moderator here in the diabetes community at dlife and a Viewpoints Columnist. You can catch my blog at www.diabetesmyway.org.

My diabetes journey started with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes 25 years ago, while pregnant with my first son. For seven years, I was able to avoid a diagnosis of type 2 with daily six-mile runs, but with a second pregnancy the gestational diabetes returned. In 1987, I was diagnosed with full-blown type 2, and started on a regimen of drugs, diet and exercise.

Over this time, as a freelance writer for magazines and the Web, I've had access to scientists and the latest research on diabetes – a perk that has proved both inspirational and frustrating: it’s one thing to know what to do, but it’s another thing to do it.

For me, every day is a second chance towards better care. I don’t always succeed, but I've given up on achieving perfection. If I give myself a second chance -- forgiving myself for that extra serving of cake or glass of wine, not stressing over a missed exercise class now and then – I’ve found I can better deal with everything from A1C’s to deadlines at work.