Exercise
Everybody benefits from regular exercise. If you have diabetes, or are at risk of diabetes it plays an important role in keeping you healthy.
Benefits
For a person with diabetes exercise helps:
Insulin to work better, which will improve your diabetes management
Maintain a healthy weight
Lower your blood pressure
Reduce your risk of heart disease
Reduce stress.
Warning- Don’t take part in strenuous physical activity if you are feeling unwell or have ketones present in your blood or urine.
Exercise programs
Before commencing a regular exercise program see your doctor for a full medical examination. Initially take it slow - you don’t want to start off too hard, if you are not used to the exercise you will be sore the next day and this will not make exercising a fun experience! Over time, you can slowly increase the intensity of the exercise. If you have any diabetes complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, you should talk to your doctor or an accredited exercise physiologist before you start increasing the intensity of your exercise.
What exercise can I do?
Anything that gets you moving. Here are some suggestions for you to discuss with your doctor:
Walking
Swimming
Cycling/ exercise bike
Dancing
Gardening
Golfing
Weight training
Tai Chi
Water aerobics
Increasing your general physical activity is also helpful, e.g. taking the stairs instead of the lift, getting up to change the TV station instead of using the remote control, housework, and gardening. Avoid watching too much TV or sitting at the computer for a long time.
Amount of exercise
For good health, you should be doing about 30 minutes of exercise every day. If this is not possible, then this time can be divided in 3 x 10 minutes sessions. You can break up exercise throughout the day. If you need to lose weight, 45-60 minutes everyday.
Intensity of exercise
You do not need to puff to gain the benefits of exercise. Aim for moderate intensity. This means you should still be able to talk as you exercise without becoming breathless.
Taking care of your feet
Ulcers or other lesions on the feet are a serious danger for people with diabetes. It is important to avoid foot damage especially for middle-aged and elderly people.
Always inspect your feet before and after exercise
Avoid exercise that causes stress to the feet (e.g. running). Exercise which poses minimal weight or stress on the feet is ideal such as riding an exercise bike or brisk walking in good footwear
Wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes.
Exercise tips
Drink extra fluid before, during (only if prolonged exercise) and after exercise to avoid dehydration. The fluid may be water or a sweetened drink if extra carbohydrate is required. 250 ml every 15 minutes or one litre of fluid per hour is recommended.
Take extra carbohydrate before and during exercise to prevent hypoglycaemia. Extra carbohydrate is often needed after exercise. Discuss adjusting carbohydrate intake with your doctor or dietitian.
Monitor your blood glucose levels before, if possible during (at least initially), and after exercise to assess your requirements for extra food.
It may be necessary to reduce your insulin dose prior to exercise. Insulin adjustment varies with each individual. Discuss appropriate adjustments to suit your exercise schedule with your doctor or Credentialed Diabetes Educator.
Wear sun block when exercising outdoors.
People with diabetes are generally discouraged from strenuous physical activity if they feel unwell or have ketones present in their blood or urine.
For more information please visit the Diabetes Australia website by clicking here.
Comments