DIABETIC EXERCISE
sarahshapiro1375
Posts: 1 Member
Do you have a specific set of exercises for diabetics?
0
Replies
-
sarahshapiro1375 wrote: »Do you have a specific set of exercises for diabetics?
Why does it matter, isn't your diet the most important?1 -
Unless you have neuropathy or some mobility disorder then nothing special as far as activity.2
-
I just test my blood sugar levels before and after. If you're insulin dependent, be mindful to adjust your dose. After eating properly and exercising, I'm completely off all diabetic meds, (unless I take a free day).0
-
For my husband (who is Type I), walking is awesome. A 20-30 minute walk after a meal helps keep his blood sugars from spiking. He's always amazed at how much his sugars drop with just a simple walk.
But truly, any exercise you enjoy is good. Just be sure to keep track of where your sugars are and keep some sugar tablets handy in case you go too low. We go on 3 hour bike rides and we hiked the Grand Canyon this spring - so really you can do anything as long as you are careful.2 -
Any exercise is good...there is nothing particularly specific to being a diabetic...just exercise and watch your diet.1
-
As a T2Dm no exercise is off limits for me. Do what you can now and work towards doing what you want to do eventually.
My PCP (Certified Diabetic Educator) does recommend including exercises that help blood circulation like walking, swimming, yoga, and lifting. This is especially important if someone is showing the beginning signs of neuropathy.1 -
sarahshapiro1375 wrote: »Do you have a specific set of exercises for diabetics?
Why does it matter, isn't your diet the most important?
Actually, overall fitness contributes a lot towards managing the disease. It is not just food.3 -
Well the first step is did you ask your Dr? Or get any suggestions from them? Often times they will make suggestions. Walking is so easy everyone can do it. And a great way to start out, meaning at your own pace, for as short or as long as you can go. And then add a few minutes more each week. Tons of walking info all over the internet. Any type of swimming or water exercise is good, I also really enjoy indoor cycling. Exercising is great for us diabetics.
I also do mall walking and not much of a shopper. But is a good predictable route and nice air conditioning.0 -
sarahshapiro1375 wrote: »Do you have a specific set of exercises for diabetics?
Why does it matter, isn't your diet the most important?
Actually, overall fitness contributes a lot towards managing the disease. It is not just food.
That wasn't my point. My point was, keep track of your diet, and does it matter what exercise program you do? Was trying to understand why they were asking about exercises only.0 -
I'm a t1 and was low all the time after exercising when I first started out, it was awful. Working with my trainer (who is also a t1), we figured out that I needed to have a serving of carbs shortly after I exercised. For some people, just adjusting their insulin is enough, but it wasn't working for me. The extra calories are not wonderful, but they are better than crashing and burning and having to eat even more!
Feel free to add me as a friend, always looking to connect with other diawarriors!0 -
sarahshapiro1375 wrote: »Do you have a specific set of exercises for diabetics?
No.0 -
sarahshapiro1375 wrote: »Do you have a specific set of exercises for diabetics?
Why does it matter, isn't your diet the most important?
Actually, overall fitness contributes a lot towards managing the disease. It is not just food.
That wasn't my point. My point was, keep track of your diet, and does it matter what exercise program you do? Was trying to understand why they were asking about exercises only.
Probably because the OP already has dietary advice and needs to add in the second part of healthy living. Diabetics are told they need both diet and exercise to manage the disease but are usually only sent to dietitians and not given exercise advice.3 -
You can do any exercise that suits you but be mindful of your blood sugar both before and after your workout.
I personally enjoy yoga and higher-intensity cardio because I find that to be the best thing for my mental health but for blood sugar control even a nice brisk 20-30 minute walk will help you increase your control over your blood sugar.
Do you have an endocrinologist? I discussed my high-intensity cardio with mine because it was bringing my blood sugar up to around 130-140 after a 30-40 minute session. My endocrinologist was comfortable with this, but the progression of your disease might be different.
Interestingly the only times I've gone hypo after exercise is with yoga. I have no idea why my body seems to react in a different way to this particular exercise! I carry glucose tabs with me.0 -
I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph0 -
sarahshapiro1375 wrote: »Do you have a specific set of exercises for diabetics?
I'm type 1, and run half marathons/10Ks/10-milers, swim, go to barre, and spin. And lift. Fantastic for lowering my insulin resistance and keeping my TDD low.0 -
ruffneckred wrote: »I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph
Do you want a study, or the patient information? The two are very different. And loads of resources are available on both.
Basically: The "should be" varies. Type one or type two makes a difference. Type twos generally have it easier because you still have insulin function and you're not trying to train and be a pancreas all at once.
Focus on stability. Where you are at different times depends on what is safe for you. You fuel like any other athlete, and if you're not pushing yourself to the point of glycogen depletion, you don't really need food *during*. If you're just walking around, you likely don't need food during or after at all.0 -
ruffneckred wrote: »I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph
From my personal experience, my glucose goes down the first 15 minutes of exercising, then rises steadily. Some of my highest readings are after swimming 90 minutes of laps. From what my PCP says (she is a Certified Diabetic Educator) this is normal. The first 15 minutes uses up the energy in the bloodstream, then a glucose dump happens when the muscles release it into the bloodstream. She also says the rises are not a problem as long as they also fall, which typically takes an hour or two, similar to what happens after eating a meal.
This is in no way a scientific study, just my own curiosity and extra test strips.2 -
ruffneckred wrote: »I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph
From my personal experience, my glucose goes down the first 15 minutes of exercising, then rises steadily. Some of my highest readings are after swimming 90 minutes of laps. From what my PCP says (she is a Certified Diabetic Educator) this is normal. The first 15 minutes uses up the energy in the bloodstream, then a glucose dump happens when the muscles release it into the bloodstream. She also says the rises are not a problem as long as they also fall, which typically takes an hour or two, similar to what happens after eating a meal.
This is in no way a scientific study, just my own curiosity and extra test strips.
I wish I could get my post-exercise spikes to be *consistent*! Sometimes I drop, sometimes I spike -- doesn't matter whether it's cardio or lifting, or whether I have insulin on board or not. I've had better luck with hybrid closed loop pump, but even then it's still hit or miss.0 -
ruffneckred wrote: »I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph
From my personal experience, my glucose goes down the first 15 minutes of exercising, then rises steadily. Some of my highest readings are after swimming 90 minutes of laps. From what my PCP says (she is a Certified Diabetic Educator) this is normal. The first 15 minutes uses up the energy in the bloodstream, then a glucose dump happens when the muscles release it into the bloodstream. She also says the rises are not a problem as long as they also fall, which typically takes an hour or two, similar to what happens after eating a meal.
This is in no way a scientific study, just my own curiosity and extra test strips.
I'm also a type 1 and do not experience a spike at all (or at least not unexpected). But then again, I don't eat carbs, so I'm glycogen depleted. Back when I ate SAD, I still didn't get spikes with 2 exceptions (these exceptions are still true today):
1. Exertion level above lactate threshold.
2. Over-compensated for exercise by suspending pump or temp. basal too early or suspended / temp. basal for more intensity than actually used for exercise.0 -
collectingblues wrote: »ruffneckred wrote: »I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph
From my personal experience, my glucose goes down the first 15 minutes of exercising, then rises steadily. Some of my highest readings are after swimming 90 minutes of laps. From what my PCP says (she is a Certified Diabetic Educator) this is normal. The first 15 minutes uses up the energy in the bloodstream, then a glucose dump happens when the muscles release it into the bloodstream. She also says the rises are not a problem as long as they also fall, which typically takes an hour or two, similar to what happens after eating a meal.
This is in no way a scientific study, just my own curiosity and extra test strips.
I wish I could get my post-exercise spikes to be *consistent*! Sometimes I drop, sometimes I spike -- doesn't matter whether it's cardio or lifting, or whether I have insulin on board or not. I've had better luck with hybrid closed loop pump, but even then it's still hit or miss.
It sounds like you are T1Dm. I am T2Dm (managed by diet and exercise, no insulin or medication) which is a different ballgame.0 -
collectingblues wrote: »ruffneckred wrote: »I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph
From my personal experience, my glucose goes down the first 15 minutes of exercising, then rises steadily. Some of my highest readings are after swimming 90 minutes of laps. From what my PCP says (she is a Certified Diabetic Educator) this is normal. The first 15 minutes uses up the energy in the bloodstream, then a glucose dump happens when the muscles release it into the bloodstream. She also says the rises are not a problem as long as they also fall, which typically takes an hour or two, similar to what happens after eating a meal.
This is in no way a scientific study, just my own curiosity and extra test strips.
I wish I could get my post-exercise spikes to be *consistent*! Sometimes I drop, sometimes I spike -- doesn't matter whether it's cardio or lifting, or whether I have insulin on board or not. I've had better luck with hybrid closed loop pump, but even then it's still hit or miss.
It sounds like you are T1Dm. I am T2Dm (managed by diet and exercise, no insulin or medication) which is a different ballgame.
Yup, type 1. AKA: Be your own pancreas, and hope you get it right.0 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »ruffneckred wrote: »I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph
From my personal experience, my glucose goes down the first 15 minutes of exercising, then rises steadily. Some of my highest readings are after swimming 90 minutes of laps. From what my PCP says (she is a Certified Diabetic Educator) this is normal. The first 15 minutes uses up the energy in the bloodstream, then a glucose dump happens when the muscles release it into the bloodstream. She also says the rises are not a problem as long as they also fall, which typically takes an hour or two, similar to what happens after eating a meal.
This is in no way a scientific study, just my own curiosity and extra test strips.
I'm also a type 1 and do not experience a spike at all (or at least not unexpected). But then again, I don't eat carbs, so I'm glycogen depleted. Back when I ate SAD, I still didn't get spikes with 2 exceptions (these exceptions are still true today):
1. Exertion level above lactate threshold.
2. Over-compensated for exercise by suspending pump or temp. basal too early or suspended / temp. basal for more intensity than actually used for exercise.
It looks like you're a runner? Do you notice if mileage makes a difference for you? I feel like I'm *usually* OK for up to 3-5 miles, but after 5, sometimes it just comes out of nowhere.0 -
collectingblues wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »ruffneckred wrote: »I am very interested in learning more about what your blood sugar level should be at different times, such as pre work out, post work out, and how ingesting different foods at different points will affect this. Seems like a study the government should hand out money for (haha). I usually find that my brainstorms like this have already been thought up, acted on, implemented, debunked, etc.... So if anyone has a link to a "easy to comprehend" as in
"for dummies" write up, that would be keen. Thanks Ralph
From my personal experience, my glucose goes down the first 15 minutes of exercising, then rises steadily. Some of my highest readings are after swimming 90 minutes of laps. From what my PCP says (she is a Certified Diabetic Educator) this is normal. The first 15 minutes uses up the energy in the bloodstream, then a glucose dump happens when the muscles release it into the bloodstream. She also says the rises are not a problem as long as they also fall, which typically takes an hour or two, similar to what happens after eating a meal.
This is in no way a scientific study, just my own curiosity and extra test strips.
I'm also a type 1 and do not experience a spike at all (or at least not unexpected). But then again, I don't eat carbs, so I'm glycogen depleted. Back when I ate SAD, I still didn't get spikes with 2 exceptions (these exceptions are still true today):
1. Exertion level above lactate threshold.
2. Over-compensated for exercise by suspending pump or temp. basal too early or suspended / temp. basal for more intensity than actually used for exercise.
It looks like you're a runner? Do you notice if mileage makes a difference for you? I feel like I'm *usually* OK for up to 3-5 miles, but after 5, sometimes it just comes out of nowhere.
Mileage makes a difference, but only because of intensity. If I'm running a mostly flat 5K and pushing beyond lactate threshold, then I'm going to spike. The same flat 5K at an exertion level below lactate threshold, but at a high level of aerobic intensity is going to drop me fairly fast.
There is no way I'm going to be able to maintain an exertion level above lactate threshold for a marathon. For a typical long-distance race, I am not only suspending my pump in advance to start high and have little to no IOB during the race... I'm also eating carbs as needed to treat or avoid hypoglycemia. The same distance during a training run (i.e. lower exertion than racing) takes the same strategy except few or no glucose tablets. I'm using less glucose because exertion is lower. Eventually, as I either slow way down or finish running, BG will rise because of the lack of IOB. I may be able to avoid the after-spike by turning back on insulin as I get closer to the finish, but have always been concerned about timing and managing the hypoglycemia risk.
Here's an example of a 20K I did in June: Suspended pump about 30 min. before (not soon enough). At mile 5, tested in 30's mg/dl and took 2 glucose tablets. Mile 6, tested in the 40's and took 2 more glucose tablets plus a cup of Gatorade. Throughout the rest of the race, I took another glucose tablet, some more Gatorade, and some Skittles. I stayed around 50's to 60's for the duration of the race as I was using glucose as fast as I consumed it. About 10-15 min. after finishing, I was rising sharply and ended up having to correct a high BG. If I had re-started my pump a miles or 2 before finishing, maybe I could have avoided or blunted that spike. But I was already low and still using glucose. Insulin doesn't work immediately, but I still don't like taking insulin when I'm low and exercising. It feels like a big risk.0 -
In terms of information about doing high intensity things, I'm just going to drop the link for Team Novo Nordisk's website here. I am not at all affiliated with them, nor do I have diabetes, but they have a lot of first person accounts on their website if you click through to "racing with diabetes tips" under "diabetes & sports" (though a high percentage of those stories are from elite athletes from what I can tell).0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.7K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions