Google News Type 2 Diabetes: A Battle Tom Hanks Has Been Fighting For Over A Decade
by FARUK IMAMOVIC | VIEW 336
Tom Hanks, the legendary actor, has been living with type 2 diabetes for more than ten years. Despite the challenges that come with managing the condition, Tom has made several adjustments to his lifestyle to help him maintain his health.
In this article, we will explore Tom's journey with type 2 diabetes, including his journey to weight loss and how he manages his condition with exercise and diet.
Family History and Lifestyle
Tom Hanks has always been open about his struggle with type 2 diabetes and has attributed his diagnosis to both genetics and lifestyle.
In his words, "Part of it is because of my genes, and part of it is because of the horrible lifestyle that I led of eating anything I wanted." When Tom was first diagnosed with pre-diabetes, his doctor advised him to get down to his high school weight to maximize his chances of putting the condition into remission.
However, Tom was resistant to the idea, saying "Well, I’m going to have type 2 diabetes then, because there is no way I can weigh [what I weighed] in high school." Nevertheless, he has made several lifestyle changes over the years that have helped him lose weight.
The Importance of Exercise
In addition to diet, Tom places a strong emphasis on daily exercise as a tool for managing his type 2 diabetes. He aims for an hour of physical activity every day, which can be anything from a walk, a hike with his dog, or time on the treadmill.
As he explains, "I try to get, every single day, one hour of activity. That can be anything from a treadmill, or a walk, or a hike with a dog, but it has to be one hour every single day." Despite being careful about his diet, Tom admits to having occasional slip-ups and cheats, saying "Every now and again I cheat to the point of self-loathing." However, he remains resilient in his journey to manage his type 2 diabetes, describing it as a battle that requires persistence and discipline.
In a past interview with England's Radio Times, Tom admitted to being a "total idiot" about his weight and relationship with food. He explained, "I was heavy. You’ve seen me in movies, you know what I looked like. I was a total idiot. I thought I could avoid it by removing the buns from my cheeseburgers."
