1. Be smart. Be safe.
One of the first things to know before starting any physical exercise is the “be smart, be safe” rule. This simply means to talk with your physician about your activity regimen and discuss the most efficient and healthy way for you to obtain the maximum benefit from your work out.
Always remember to:
- Ensure that you are constantly hydrated
- Do not overdo it: one should be able to talk while exercising and should not be completely out of breath.
- Stop immediately if you do not feel well or is experiencing pain.
- If you are on glucose tablets, have them with you while exercising, in case your blood sugar level drops to low.
- Lastly, always remember it is about having fun and being healthy. Find exercises that you enjoy!!!
2. Create a plan.
It is not the best idea to just start an exercise regimen without any detail planning and adjustments.
This such as the following below is very important in obtaining maximum benefits from your regimen:
- Determine your fitness level
- Monitoring your blood sugar levels
- Creating an exercise regimen
- Setting realistic goals
- Making necessary changes to your diet
3. Ideal exercises should include the following:
- Cardio Exercises
Anything that will get your heart going and increases your blood circulation can be classified as cardio exercises. Exercises such as dancing, running or swimming are some examples. Cardio exercises are great for people with diabetes as this allows you to control your blood sugar level.
- Flexibility exercises
This includes just simply stretching or yoga classes are great for flexibility exercises. Go ahead and stretch at intervals during your day! - Strength training:
Strength training not only builds muscles but allows you to use up more calories and make muscles use more sugar. So go ahead and add a few weights or use resistance bands while exercising!
4. Moving and Diabetes!
Exercising makes the muscles work; the harder you work out the harder your muscles work. Sugar is stored in the muscles; hence sugar is being used during exercises. When there is insufficient sugar in the muscles, the body uses sugar from the blood. Therefore it is good to get moving as this allows you to burn calories and lower your sugar level, resulting in fewer complications from diabetes.
5. Physical activity and the use of insulin
Since physical activity uses sugar from the muscles and blood, then the amount of insulin needed to move sugar out of the blood and into the muscle to create energy will be reduced. If you have a treatment plan that includes insulin, physical exercise will reduce the amount of insulin you need to take, depending on your activity level.
6. Move whenever you can
Just walking is one of the best ways to get in shape and get some sort out physical exercise for your day! Some other ways include:
- Go for a walk with your dog
- Complete your errands on foot instead of driving if you can
- Using the stairs instead of the elevator at times
Reference:
©2011 Sanofi-Aventis U.S.UC, A SANOFI CAOMPANY
U.S. GLA. 11.09.114 (Sanofi diabetes)
