Diabetes and Exercise-How much is enough!

Being diagnosed with diabetes is a real setback in life.  Many people who don’t have this terrible disease seem to regard it as some sort of minor inconvenience, like living with an ingrown toenail or something along those lines.  But if you have diabetes, you know just what a life changing event your diagnosis was.  Nothing will ever be the same again; you’ve got to constantly monitor your blood sugar levels, take your insulin, and watch what you eat.  But there are things you can do that will make your life a lot better, or help prevent it from getting worse.  Exercise is one.  Let’s talk about diabetes and exercise.

Weight gain is one of the biggest health risks of diabetes.  And exercise can help you control your weight, thereby minimizing as much as possible the effects of the disease.  On top of that, and maybe even more important, exercise helps keep your cardiovascular system strong and functioning at peak efficiency.  Heart disease is one of the worst things that often comes along with diabetes, so anything you can do to reduce your risk along those lines is recommended.  And exercise is a great way to keep your heart healthy.

And when it comes to diabetes and exercise, don’t think we’re saying that you have to take up jogging or body building.  That won’t be necessary. although lifting small amounts of weight is a good idea.  But you don’t need to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger to stay healthy.  In fact, the exercise doctors recommend most often for diabetics is good old fashioned walking.  Nothing complicated there.   If you’re up to it, bicycling is also good, too.  Any moderate aerobic exercise that you enjoy will be fine. Always check with your doctor before you start exercising, of course. But for most diabetics, exercise will be part of any doctor’s prescription.