Exercise
Exercise, or physical activity, has many benefits for a person with diabetes: it can help you lose weight, control your blood glucose and help make your insulin more effective, lower your blood fats, control your stress, keep your bones and heart strong, give you more energy, and much more. You don't have to join a gym to gain the benefits of being physically active. For more information on Exercise, please review the related questions below.
Questions
Q: "Can you recommend exercises for people with limited mobility? I have a bad knee and back problems, and I cannot walk very far. All I ever read is how important it is to walk regularly but that is not an option for me."
How to be Active During Winter and the Holidays
Q: "Now that it is getting colder, I am having difficulty doing my regular exercise (tennis, or walking in the evenings after dinner). This happens every year when the time changes, and then when the holidays arrive, I get completely off track. Do you have any suggestions?"
Glucose Higher After Exercise
Q: "I am new to blood glucose testing, this week as a matter of fact. I took my test right after I exercised (walking on a treadmill for approximately 20 minutes) which was before breakfast, and the meter showed 223. All my other tests have been in the 160's range and lower before breakfast. Is it this high from exercising, and should I not test right after exercising?"
How Much Exercise?
Q: "What is considered an adequate amount of exercise? I don’t exercise, but now that I have diabetes, I think I should."
Pedometer
Q: "I have been hearing about wearing a pedometer and counting steps. Would you explain this?"
When to Exercise
Q: "Have you ever heard of a recommendation for exercise before or after a meal, or does the specific time one exercises make any difference with respect to blood sugar? My endocrinologist says that exercising after a meal is the way to go. Is that just his perception or is there evidence to support this?"
Exercise Guide
Q: "I know exercise is good for me but I just can’t get started. Can you give me some tips?"
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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