Diabetes and Exercise

A diagnosis of diabetes does not mean that one must immediately begin an insulin regimen. Oftentimes, especially when detected early, diabetes can be controlled with a combination of diet and exercise.

An earlier article talked about seeing diabetes as a means to a positive life change. It is a well-known fact that mild to moderate exercise can produce feelings of well-being, which in turn lead to a more positive outlook on life; yet another reason to exercise

It is important to consult with a health care professional before starting any exercise program, especially if the diagnosis has just recently been made. Although blood sugar levels will improve and be easier to maintain as the benefits of exercise become more apparent, the necessity of controlling fluctuations is paramount.

The health care professional will advise as to the levels that blood sugar should be at both at the beginning and the end of an exercise routine. He or she will also explain the signs of blood sugar level fluctuations, and give instructions on how the levels can be brought back into an acceptable range.

Once permission has been given to start an exercise program, the next thing to consider is the type of exercise. Moderate aerobic exercise is usually the best, and can include walking, jogging, bicycling, or even dancing.

Warm-up and cool-down routines are important, and no physical activity should begin and end without them. Starting with an easy walk for approximately ten to fifteen minutes, then doing some stretching exercises for approximately ten minutes is a good way to warm up. At the end of the entire routine, the same steps can be repeated for the cool-down period.

Proper clothing, shoes, and socks are important when exercising.  Cotton diabetic socks should be of a cotton material that will wick moisture away from the feet. Further, socks and shoes should neither constrict the feet and legs, nor should they cause irritation to the skin.

Clothing should be loose-fitting, and also be designed to absorb moisture and allow the skin to remain dry. Again, there should be no constriction, and seams, tags, or other parts of the garment should not irritate the skin.

The health care professional will give instructions for maintaining blood sugar levels during the exercise routine, and will also explain what foods, drinks, or nutritional supplements can be used if fluctuations occur. The majority of these are easy to carry, so that they can be readily available. Hard candy such as Life Savers®, portable fruit such as raisins, glucose tablets, and diet soda are but a few things that can be eaten or drunk during the exercise routine.

Delaying the exercise routine until blood sugar levels are at an acceptable range may be necessary to avoid unnecessary and unwanted fluctuations. Likewise, it may be necessary to reduce the time spent in exercising, especially if fluctuations occur.

This should be taken in stride, especially if this happens shortly after the initial diagnosis. The body will adjust, and it will be possible to reach exercise goals.

Diabetic-Mart.com can make it easy to start and maintain a good exercise program. Our company provides diabetic nutritional supplements that can be easily carried, as well as clothing, socks, and shoes designed for the diabetes patient. Our website makes it easy to order these and any other items that may be needed to maintain a positive diabetic lifestyle.