7.    Diabetes can lead to amputations.

Diabetes and amputations go hand in hand. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 70,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in adults with diabetes in 2010.   And roughly 60 percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations in adults coincide with diagnosed diabetes.

8.    Weight loss can help.

Almost 90 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes are overweight.  This may be because excess weight interferes with insulin secretion, which in turn affects blood sugar.  

Here’s the good news: weight loss can help decrease your risk of developing diabetes. In fact, experts say that dropping five to ten percent of your body weight cuts your risk. And studies show that eating right and exercising can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 40 to 60 percent.

9.    Exercise is a preventative measure.

Aerobic exercise has many benefits. According to the American Diabetes Association, some of these benefits include: a healthier heart, stronger bones, decreased stress, and improved blood circulation. And best of all, regular exercise decreases your risk of Type 2 diabetes by helping to keep blood glucose in check.

The ADA says that your goal should be to exercise for 30 minutes five days a week. If this is too difficult, you can work out in intervals of ten minutes three times a day. Or you can start with five to ten minutes daily and build your capacity. That said, exercising for longer periods of time can help to increase weight loss.