In search of diet and exercise routine : Triggered by the joy found in diabetes treatment

Persons with type 2 diabetes need to exercise self-control, which is often difficult as they must deal with many things. The author became acquainted with a research participant who gave full attention to a self-regimen of meals and exercise to lose weight. The purpose of this paper is to carry out year-long fieldwork and non-structured interviews to relate how his experience was formed. Hospitalization made a drastic change in his diet and exercise routine enabling him to walk with ease. He was immersed in the joy of “I can do it.” Setting a goal to expand his potential, he practiced the diet and exercise that had changed him. Although he overdid it after discharge and had to review his diet pattern when this was pointed out by physicians, he tried diversifying his meals. Carefully monitoring his weight, he earnestly tried to achieve safe weight reduction. For a year he endeavored to find the appropriate way of eating and exercising and felt rewarded as his system worked well, which was reflected in his weight. Referring to Merleau-Ponty, the author noted that his devotion to his routine started when he found significance in the joy of “I can do it” and the goals. The outcome of his search for a better routine, which accounts for a large part of his life, was confirmed by his lived experience in the immediate appearance to measurement values including weight, which determined his next step. When the diabetic appear to be following treatment requirements, they may actually be making efforts for other reasons that are more important to them. This gives rise to the possibility of new diabetic care that would see medical professionals watch over a person with type 2 diabetes while allowing them to practice their desired living patterns to the extent that it would not cause a deterioration in their condition.