Sam Milby chooses ‘to live the best life’ despite diabetes diagnosis
Kapamilya actor Sam Milby is choosing to push forward with his fitness journey despite the challenges of living with diabetes.
In a recent Instagram post, Sam showed off his physique as he opened up about how his diagnosis initially affected his motivation to stay fit at 42 years old.
“When I found out I had diabetes, I was really discouraged. At 42, I almost gave up on my fitness journey,” Sam opened up.
Despite the initial setback, Sam realized that his health condition should not stop him from working toward a healthier lifestyle.
“But I realized giving up isn’t an option. I just need to keep fighting,” he added.
Choosing to remain positive, Sam expressed his determination to make the most of life, saying: “Despite the challenges, I choose to live my best life. And I’m just starting. 💪.”
Sam first revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition he learned he had the year before. At the time, the actor admitted that the diagnosis came as a surprise, considering his perception of himself as a healthy person.
“I’ve always thought of myself as a healthy person. I don’t have a sweet tooth, bihira din mag junk food, pero last year I found out na may type 2 diabetes na ako,” SAm said.
The actor also expressed regret over not having his condition detected earlier: “My parents and grandparents never had it. I just wish I got checked up earlier nung pre diabetes pa. My advice – don’t ignore the symptoms (my main symptoms – always thirsty and urinating often) and get checked up regularly.”
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Sam later clarified that further medical tests confirmed he had latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), also known as type 1.5 diabetes, following an initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
The actor recalled how a fan’s comment prompted him to look into the condition and went to a general check-up in Singapore.
“There was a fan who messaged, made a comment – ‘maybe you’re not Type 2 (diabetes), maybe you’re Type 1.5’. So I did my research also and I asked my endo (endocronologist) and I had my check-up also in Singapore and the two doctors said that they’ll do a blood test to make sure and it was confirmed,” he said.
“It’s called LADA – it’s an autoimmune disease, and it means that I am diagnosed as Type 2, but eventually magiging Type 1 ako.”
According to Sam, the condition was actually bad: “Type 1 is the worst, Tito Gary (Valenciano) has Type 1. It means that your pancreas does not produce insulin at all. So, I may have to start ‘yung insulin shots, eventually. Ganun talaga. It’s part of my life. I have discipline naman sa pagkain but it was a bit surprising kasi para sa akin, healthy naman akong tao. Nakakasad, but it’s a part of my life.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, LADA is a form of diabetes that develops in adulthood and progresses gradually as an autoimmune process damages the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.
Sam also shared what changes he needed to do in his current lifestyle: “I am trying to be more physically active. During pandemic hindi masyado eh. I will do some push ups and sit-ups pero cardio kulang eh. Hindi ako mahilig sa treadmill eh. Well, I do pickleball now. I’ve been playing pickleball for on and off two years. That’s my cardio. Sometimes, I run.”