Getting the right amount of exercise is extremely important for everyone, whether you have diabetes or not. Despite this common sense, many believe that people with diabetes should avoid strenuous exercising. While conducting research for our diabetes guide, we saw this repeatedly mentioned in several forums and websites. We were especially alarmed when we saw this posted several times on reputable websites. The truth is that exercising is important for losing weight, which is extremely important for people with type 2 diabetes. You are also able to manage blood sugar levels easier when you are at a healthy, normal weight.
Before you decide to start an exercise program, it’s important to talk with your doctor. He or she will be ecstatic to learn that you are exercising to improve your health! Your doctor will help you figure out the appropriate range your blood sugar levels should be at before your workout and afterwards. You don’t want to experience hypoglycemia, a drop in blood sugar levels, during a workout. You’ll want to eat a small snack before you work out, and then test your blood sugar levels prior to starting your exercises. If the blood sugar levels are not within the range your doctor instructed, do not begin exercising! If your blood sugar levels are too low, you are putting yourself at a greater risk of developing hypoglycemia. Eat a small snack and then test again before performing your workout.
Prior to working out and during your workout, it’s extremely important to stay hydrated. Dehydration can affect your blood sugar levels, so make sure you are keeping yourself hydrated. It’s also important to carry a snack with you just in case you feel a drop in blood sugar levels coming. At the first sign of hypoglycemia, stop exercising immediately and check your blood sugar levels. Do not continue your workout until you are back at the normal range. Although you really want to accomplish your fitness goals, safety must always be your number one priority! After your workout, test your blood sugar levels again to make sure that they are within the range your doctor highlighted.
Whether you have diabetes or not, it’s important to warm up before exercising and cool down and stretch afterwards. The intensity of your workout depends on what your doctor says you can safely do. It’s also important to take note of the temperature at your workout location. Temperature can affect your body’s absorption of insulin, which can make managing blood sugar levels tougher. If it’s hot, you will sweat more and will need to drink even more water to avoid dehydration.
The key to a safe workout for people with diabetes is to make sure blood sugar levels stay within a normal range. Failing to do so puts you at risk of hypoglycemia, which is the main reason people with diabetes give for not working out. The benefits of exercising far outweigh this risk and your doctor will help mitigate this risk so you really don’t have to worry. Make your new year’s resolution to get your health under control and meet with your doctor to learn how to safely exercise and lose weight while minimizing the risks. [Additional Source: familydoctor.org]
Adam Bruk enjoys raising awareness for diabetes and presenting the truth behind the disease. He also helps people with diabetes find the best diabetic socks to wear while working out and around town.
