Diabetes and Exercise

 

Why is exercise important for people with diabetes?

When you exercise, your body becomes more sensitive to insulin. This means that it takes less insulin to manage your diabetes. For most people with diabetes, just taking a walk every day can cut the amount of medications they need to control their blood sugar.

Benefits of Exercise for People with Diabetes

• Lowers blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol
• Improves circulation
• Reduces the need for insulin and oral medications
• Prevents weight gain and promotes weight loss (having too much body fat can make diabetes worse)
• Strengthens the heart, muscles and bones
• Improves strength, flexibility and endurance
• Improves brain function and mood
• Lowers stress

How do you get started with an exercise routine?

Before you begin an exercise routine, your healthcare team will evaluate your heart, kidneys, feet, and nervous system to make sure you are healthy enough for physical activity. Some types of activities may not be appropriate for you. For example, if you have problems with the nerves in your feet, your doctor might recommend a type of exercise that doesn’t put pressure on your feet.

As you start to exercise, start slowly so that your body can get used to it. Start with a 5 to 10 minute walk outdoors or on a treadmill, and then gradually add a few more minutes of walking each week. Once your body gets used to walking, try adding new activities like swimming, cycling, dancing or aerobic classes.

What should you know about diabetes medications and exercising?

You should check your blood glucose level before and after exercise, especially if you take insulin or oral medications to lower blood sugar. Exercise changes the way your body reacts to insulin and this can cause swings in blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia). These are serious conditions but with the right monitoring, they can be avoided. Fear of these conditions should not keep you from exercising.

Because exercise helps to lower blood sugar, some diabetes medication doses may need to be adjusted as you go about your exercise program.

 

Blood Glucose Levels and Exercising

• If your blood sugar is 300 mg/dL or higher before exercising, you should not
exercise because your sugar level could go higher.
• If your blood sugar is less than 100 mg/dL before exercising, you should eat a snack.