Why Should You Get Active With Diabetes?
Staying active and exercising regularly can help you to avoid excess weight gain, prevent aches and pains and help keep your blood glucose within the target range. It’s also a great way to boost your mood and beat the blues when you are feeling sad or depressed. However, those with diabetes should always consult with their doctor to ensure that their exercise routine is safe.
Regular exercise also helps your body to better utilize insulin and that helps control to your blood glucose level. Infact, often people diagnosed with diabetes are not prescribed medication and are advised to keep up with regular exercise and healthy eating as part of their treatment plan.
Exercising will help you:
- Lower your blood glucose
- Relieve stress, anxiety, and depression
- Improve sleep
- Boost your energy level
- Keep your heart healthy
If you’re used to a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, getting active can be difficult at first. According to experts from the Fifth International Workshop-Conference on Diabetes Mellitus, "planned physical activity of 30 minutes per day is recommended for all individuals capable of participating." If you aren’t able to take out 30 minutes in a go for exercise, you can try to break it up in small blocks of time during the day.
Read More: 6 Ways To Get More Active With A Busy Routine
According to experts from the Fifth International Workshop-Conference on Diabetes Mellitus, "planned physical activity of 30 minutes per day is recommended for all individuals capable of participating."
Getting active doesn’t necessarily mean hitting the gym or taking special classes. You can build exercise into your daily life and schedule no matter how busy you are. Simple walks around your yard or to the mailbox and household chores can count as physical activity as well!
Exercising tends to lower your blood glucose so it’s a good idea to carry a light snacks like fruit or low fat string cheese in case you experience symptoms of low blood glucose such as dizziness, shakiness and headaches.