"If you want a friend (or a walking buddy), get a dog."

Eating right is just one part of managing—or, in a perfect world, avoiding—a chronic health condition like Type II Diabetes or heart disease.

The other, and perhaps more important part, is getting up and getting out there. In short, being active.

“Exercise is probably the best 'drug' we have to prevent diabetes and heart disease," said Dr. Opada Alzohaili, an Oakwood Healthcare-affiliated endocrinologist with offices in Dearborn.

The reason for that is using and building muscles helps the body process sugar. Smaller muscles generally require less sugar, when means the body has to produce more insulin to burn it.

Exercise, "makes your muscles hungry for sugar," Alzohaili said.

They will take sugar without needing insulin and you will save your pancreas the additional work. I knew this from my initial consultations and attempts to manage my type II diabetes and, when I first heard it, I latched onto the thought like it was a life raft on a storm-tossed sea. I hate the thought of being tied to a drug every day, but I could get behind an exercise plan. I needed to get in better shape, anyway.

You don't need a rigorous routine; the American Heart Association recommends about 150 minutes every week. A simple walk is a good way to start. Don't beat yourself up if you feel a little lethargic or stiff at first--if you're just getting started, remember that you're just getting started and remind yourself that any kind of activity is better than no activity.

If you need some additional motivation, find a walking buddy. If that's not practical, consider adopting a dog. About two years ago we adopted a Jack Russell Terrier named 'Jack.' After our initial spin around the park to see if we'd get along, I knew he'd be trouble.

"I'm going to call you 'Flash'," I told him, wheezing.

It was tough keeping up with the exuberant little guy for a while, but we've since struck a sort of compromise. I'm still not entirely sure if he's slowed down or I've sped up, but we walk between two and three miles a day and more on weekends. It has helped stabilize my sugar levels, but not enough to satisfy me. I wanted to do more than stabilize them; I wanted to cut them in half and keep them there.

That, as you'll probably find out, is a lot easier said than done. It is a complex carbohydrate world out there and it takes time to figure out what works for you.

In the meantime, give yourself a pat on the back for getting started on the journey.

What has worked--or hasn't worked--for you, so far?

Up next: The importance of ‘mixing it up,’ and how to talk to your children about the benefits of exercise without becoming the parent you never thought you’d be…