Weight, inactivity, and poor nutrition, especially sugary drinks and food, are contributing to diabetes, which increases your risk of multiple health-related issues:

• Heart Attack
• Memory Loss
• Kidney Disease
• Amputation

So how do I know if you are on the road to becoming a diabetic? The first step is to get a checkup with your doctor to get a lab test that will determine your blood sugar and Hemoglobin A1C levels. These tests can help you know if you need to take aggressive prevention measures to prevent diabetes. If you are told that your blood sugar is even a "little high," that is a big deal.

To prevent diabetes, you should take the following steps:

• Start or maintain exercise for AT LEAST 30 minutes per day
• Stop the sugar - NO sugary drinks
• Lose 10% of your weight
• Cut back on the simple carbohydrates
• Eat foods that are high in Vitamin D
• Eat leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains
• Get plenty of sleep

Some people make the argument that it is more about genetics, which are out of a person's control. This argument is misleading, especially since new research shows that your lifestyle choices "turn on" the genes that influence disease. So, take action now! Diabetes is preventable if you commit to living a healthy life.