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Healthy Strategies for Diabetes Episode: Healthy Coping (1 out of 7)

Why healthy coping is the first self-care behavior for Type 2 diabetes and how stress, grief, and seasons can quietly disrupt blood sugar. Practical tools include journaling, short bursts of movement, joy habits, and asking your care team for support.

• seven self-care behaviors overview and focus on coping
• how to spot unhealthy coping like overeating, isolation, and rising alcohol use
• simple test for whether a behavior supports health goals
• stress and grief as drivers of cravings and glucose swings
• pattern tracking across seasons, anniversaries, and triggers
• journaling to surface themes and guide small changes
• rediscovering fun as metabolic medicine and motivation
• micro-movement, breathing, and meditation for quick resets
• leaning on faith, community, and your care team for support

Amani Nicol Wellness, our Beautifully Well program, now has an extension to support those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and our program extension for those diagnosed with prediabetes as too. Learn more: www.amaninicol.com

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Stepping into this next chapter of health should feel empowering not overwhelming.

Simplify your journey to better health with our holistic approach to managing stress, weight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and overall health.

Learn more about our programs at Amaninicol.com

Self-Care meets healthcare at Amani Nicol Wellness. Book a Service.

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Here is a clear, evidence-backed path to type 2 diabetes remission and how to talk with your care team about making a practical plan. From A1C targets to stress, food, movement, and support, the goal is doable with guidance and steady habits.

• definition of remission and A1C target
• ADA research and why it matters now
• stigma, stress, and environmental drivers
• remission versus cure and realistic goals
• candidacy at different starting A1C levels
• weight loss focused on body fat, not muscle
• nutrition structure and plate-building
• movement, strength training, and sleep
• clinical coordination and medication tapering
• questions to bring to your next appointment
• encouragement, accountability, and next steps

Share this episode with someone you love who has type 2 diabetes, listen on repeat, talk with your healthcare team about remission, and get excited about turning the page on your plan.

Learn more about our Diabetes Self Management Program at https://amaninicol.com/lifestyle

Support the show

Stepping into this next chapter of health should feel empowering not overwhelming.

Simplify your journey to better health with our holistic approach to managing stress, weight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and overall health.

Learn more about our programs at Amaninicol.com

Self-Care meets healthcare at Amani Nicol Wellness. Book a Service.

Send us a text

The ground feels like it’s moving under your feet, but it isn’t only hormones. Coach Nik opens up about the real forces behind midlife overwhelm for women over 40—shifting priorities, deeper reflection, and the sudden clarity that comes from decades of lived experience. We dig into why nostalgia hits harder now, how seeing our parents differently changes our story, and what it means to parent grown kids while building a future that finally fits.

Rather than giving menopause all the credit, we zoom out to the bigger landscape: goals that evolve, careers that pivot, and relationships that ask for repair or renewal. Nik shares three practical anchors that keep you grounded when emotions surge and brain fog tries to boss you around. First, acceptance: less is more and you don’t need to prove your worth. Second, honoring time: close loops, set firm boundaries, and let wisdom lead your calendar. Third, intentional stillness: a true pause that calms the body and clears mental noise so decisions come from clarity, not chaos.

You’ll walk away with language for what you’re feeling and tools to manage it—breathwork that actually resets, simple boundary cues for your week, and a kinder lens for your past and present. We also preview upcoming conversations with expert voices to keep this dialogue honest and useful. If you’re ready to stop blaming everything on menopause and start curating a life that reflects your values, this one is for you.

If this conversation resonated, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help more women find their footing in midlife. Your story—and your pause—matter.

Support the show

Stepping into this next chapter of health should feel empowering not overwhelming.

Simplify your journey to better health with our holistic approach to managing stress, weight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and overall health.

Learn more about our programs at Amaninicol.com

Self-Care meets healthcare at Amani Nicol Wellness. Book a Service.

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We break the myth that prediabetes is “borderline” and lay out a practical 16‑week plan to lower A1C with small, repeatable habits. We share a personal reversal story, the diabetes plate, stress and sleep tactics, and how to build discipline over motivation.

• prevalence stats and why language matters
• what A1C measures and the prediabetes range
• insulin resistance and early cellular damage
• simple nutrition wins using the diabetes plate
• anti-inflammatory foods and everyday swaps
• walking, light resistance and 150 minutes a week
• stress rating, sleep hygiene and cravings
• tracking weight, inches and weekly goals
• a 16-week roadmap from baseline to maintenance
• mindset shifts from motivation to discipline

You can reverse pre-diabetes in 16 weeks

Support the show

Stepping into this next chapter of health should feel empowering not overwhelming.

Simplify your journey to better health with our holistic approach to managing stress, weight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and overall health.

Learn more about our programs at Amaninicol.com

Self-Care meets healthcare at Amani Nicol Wellness. Book a Service.

Send us a text

We share a practical, evidence-based plan to manage type 2 diabetes with seven self-care behaviors that build momentum without perfection. From healthy coping and food patterns to movement, monitoring, and problem solving, we turn confusion into clear next steps.

• defining type 2 diabetes and why it matters
• finding your why to fuel consistent action
• healthy coping, acceptance and support tribe
• food tracking and the diabetes plate approach
• movement target of 150 minutes per week
• medication literacy and key questions to ask
• monitoring with CGM or finger checks and patterns
• reducing risk across eyes, kidneys, blood pressure and lipids
• problem solving for stress, schedules and life changes
• recap and choosing one behavior to focus on next

Be sure to follow us on our Instagram and our Facebook socials, Amani Nicol Wellness. If you're local, if you're in a Maryland area, why not stop by for a visit?

Support the show

Stepping into this next chapter of health should feel empowering not overwhelming.

Simplify your journey to better health with our holistic approach to managing stress, weight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and overall health.

Learn more about our programs at Amaninicol.com

Self-Care meets healthcare at Amani Nicol Wellness. Book a Service.

Send us a text

Ever been told you’re “doing the most” about your health? I get it. I used to think my vigilance made me a hypochondriac—until relentless fatigue, a routine mammogram I almost skipped, and a biopsy that felt different pointed straight to breast cancer. This is a frank, grounded walk through what really happened: the missed messages, the call at work, the surgery that uncovered cancer in two lymph nodes, and the decision to face 33 rounds of radiation at 7 a.m., alone, in heels.

I share the context that changed everything, including a 2019 colon scare that taught me how to advocate, read my chart, and push for follow-up when the system lagged. We talk about why “I’m just tired” can be a legitimate red flag for women over 40, how to protect your annual mammogram, and what to do when care coordination gets messy. You’ll hear the mindset shift that carried me from a heavy first week of radiation to a steadier routine—prayer, bright lipstick, click of heels—and how that small ritual reshaped the room. Ringing the bell wasn’t the end; survivorship is the real terrain, with side effects that can surprise you years later and a calendar of scans that keeps you honest.

If you’ve ever second-guessed your instincts, this conversation offers practical tools: treat energy as data, keep the appointment, read the notes, and make your providers accountable. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of early detection, radiation realities, and the daily choices that help you stay present in your own care. Press play, share this with someone who needs a nudge to book that mammogram, and tell me: what symptom are you finally going to take seriously today? And if this resonated, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it on to a friend who needs the encouragement.

Support the show

Stepping into this next chapter of health should feel empowering not overwhelming.

Simplify your journey to better health with our holistic approach to managing stress, weight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and overall health.

Learn more about our programs at Amaninicol.com

Self-Care meets healthcare at Amani Nicol Wellness. Book a Service.

Send us a text

Finding your personal weight loss formula requires balancing two key aspects of health: how often you move and what you eat. Success comes from discovering what specific approach works for your body rather than following generic advice.

• Sustainable weight loss comes from losing 1-2 pounds weekly through realistic changes
• Losing just 5% of your body weight significantly lowers health risks
• Food is energy – when feeling tired, first consider what you've eaten or not eaten
• Smart food swaps allow you to enjoy favorite foods while reducing calories
• On exercise days, increase calorie intake to ensure your body burns fat efficiently
• Eating 5 smaller meals daily keeps metabolism active and energy levels stable
• Portion awareness matters more than eliminating entire food groups
• Beverages can contribute hundreds of hidden calories to your daily intake
• Water intake should equal half your body weight in ounces for optimal health
• Your personal weight loss formula depends on your specific body needs and lifestyle

Take a few minutes to calculate your calorie needs using MyPlate.gov and identify small, sustainable changes you can make to your daily eating habits that you'll still be following a year from now.

Support the show

Stepping into this next chapter of health should feel empowering not overwhelming.

Simplify your journey to better health with our holistic approach to managing stress, weight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and overall health.

Learn more about our programs at Amaninicol.com

Self-Care meets healthcare at Amani Nicol Wellness. Book a Service.

Send us a text

Sleep quality directly impacts insulin effectiveness and is crucial for preventing type 2 diabetes, with seven hours of uninterrupted sleep recommended by experts for optimal health benefits.

• Poor sleep hygiene leads to insulin resistance, the precursor to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
• Sleep deprivation confuses hunger signals, making the brain unable to tell if you've eaten enough
• Lack of sleep increases cravings for unhealthy carbs and sugars as the body seeks quick energy
• Consistent inadequate sleep raises risk for hypertension and weakens the immune system
• Creating a consistent sleep schedule helps train your body for better sleep patterns
• Simple solutions like limiting evening fluids, writing down tomorrow's tasks, and using white noise can improve sleep quality
• Physical comfort matters—consider mattress toppers, body pillows, or addressing pain that disrupts sleep
• Evaluate your caffeine intake and consider a cutoff time several hours before bed
• Electronic devices emit light that stimulates the brain, making it harder to fall asleep
• Nature sounds, deep breathing exercises, and gentle stretching can help the body prepare for rest

If you're struggling with persistent sleep issues, speak with your healthcare provider about potential solutions, including evaluating if current medications might be contributing to insomnia.

Support the show

Stepping into this next chapter of health should feel empowering not overwhelming.

Simplify your journey to better health with our holistic approach to managing stress, weight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and overall health.

Learn more about our programs at Amaninicol.com

Self-Care meets healthcare at Amani Nicol Wellness. Book a Service.