Planning ahead for an unusual (for me) amount of exercise
Cameo530
Posts: 155 Member
Hi everyone,
I'm a newly diagnosed (June 22) T2 and I'm getting ready to do Pedal for Pete's Sake with my husband this weekend. It's a charity bike ride to raise money for Cerebral Palsy research. We've participated each year for the past 5 or so years and I know from previous experience that it will be about three or so hours of very hard work in 95+ degree weather. In the past couple of years I've found that by the end of the ride I'm exhausted, extremely cranky, snapping my husband's head off, and just generally feeling pretty moody and off.
Hindsight suggests there were maybe some blood sugar issues going on?
I want to be a little more proactive this year so we can both enjoy the ride, although nothing's gonna help with the ungodly heat. I plan on testing before and during the ride and eating to try to keep my BG fairly level. Right now, I'm averaging about 125-135 fasting and around 150-160 post-prandial and am taking Met each evening. What types of snacks are best to bring along in a situation like this where I'm going to be expending a lot of energy over an extended period of time? Fruits, energy bars, Clif Shot Bloks, trail mix with lots of nuts and dried fruit, any other suggestions?
I'm a newly diagnosed (June 22) T2 and I'm getting ready to do Pedal for Pete's Sake with my husband this weekend. It's a charity bike ride to raise money for Cerebral Palsy research. We've participated each year for the past 5 or so years and I know from previous experience that it will be about three or so hours of very hard work in 95+ degree weather. In the past couple of years I've found that by the end of the ride I'm exhausted, extremely cranky, snapping my husband's head off, and just generally feeling pretty moody and off.
Hindsight suggests there were maybe some blood sugar issues going on?
I want to be a little more proactive this year so we can both enjoy the ride, although nothing's gonna help with the ungodly heat. I plan on testing before and during the ride and eating to try to keep my BG fairly level. Right now, I'm averaging about 125-135 fasting and around 150-160 post-prandial and am taking Met each evening. What types of snacks are best to bring along in a situation like this where I'm going to be expending a lot of energy over an extended period of time? Fruits, energy bars, Clif Shot Bloks, trail mix with lots of nuts and dried fruit, any other suggestions?
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Replies
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For me, high expenditures of energy seem to require a protein carb mix like a sandwich. Dried fruit has too much sugar for me even with exercise and can cause spike and crash. You might want to try different combos as you are training and see what works.0
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This is all really new to me, so I'll try your protein/carb combo and test, test, test. Thanks for the advice.0
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You might want to consider a protein bar. I like Pure Protein (they're chewy like a candy bar, lol). I would also have something on hand such as a Nutrigrain bar. If you find the right balance of carbs & proteins, you won't need the sugar from the fruit. You do want more protein than carbs though. You might also want to consider bringing Powerade Zero to help replace the electrolytes without loading up on sugar & sodium from gatorade. Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after the ride. I would have 8 oz fluid every 30-45 mins & a snack every hour, as well as just prior to the race & a protein shake as soon as I get home. This wil help reduce muscle soreness. Oh, and take a nice warm shower afterwards to relax the muscles you'll be tempted to take a cooler one but your muscles will need the heat. Good luck & enjoyIt sounds like you're gonna have a great time.0
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Lots of water before, during, and after, and a nice hot shower are standard for me when I've done this ride before.
They have massage therapists available post-ride too but I don't think I'll be wanting anyone to have to touch my sweaty, nasty self! Thanks for the food advice. I've never carried protein bars with me before, just primarily carb-focused snacks, so maybe that will make the difference and I won't be wanting to smack my husband over the head with the tire pump by the end of the ride.:laugh: 0 -
I want to thank you ladies again for your advice. I carried protein with me for the first time and my energy was so much better, I finished the ride faster than usual, and I feel much better post-ride than I usually do. I also kept my readings between 111 and 135, so I'm pretty happy with that for now.
In fact, it went so well that we're planning to start biking for at least half an hour to an hour after supper several nights a week, because that first half hour really helped drop my post-breakfast number.0 -
I want to thank you ladies again for your advice. I carried protein with me for the first time and my energy was so much better, I finished the ride faster than usual, and I feel much better post-ride than I usually do. I also kept my readings between 111 and 135, so I'm pretty happy with that for now.
In fact, it went so well that we're planning to start biking for at least half an hour to an hour after supper several nights a week, because that first half hour really helped drop my post-breakfast number.
That's awesome. So glad it all worked out and you have a great plan. Enjoy!0 -
That's great, I'm glad the ride went so well and you figured out what your body was needing.0
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