If you have diabetes, there are certain things you’ll want to keep in mind when exercising:
• Drink up—Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after your activity.
• Keep your feet comfy—It’s all about comfortable, properly sized shoes. If you are unsure what type of shoe you should use, talk to your healthcare team.
• Keep an eye on your blood glucose levels—If you take insulin or a medication that can cause hypoglycemia, check your blood glucose levels before and after your activity, and periodically during exercise if it will last longer than an hour.
• Pack a snack—If you are exercising for more than 30 minutes, supply yourself with a snack to keep blood-glucose levels in check.
Here are some suggestions to get you moving:
• Walking—The cheapest and easiest way to exercise is putting one foot in front of the other. All you need is a pair of sturdy, well-fitted shoes.
• Gardening—Pull some weeds or plant some flowers.
• Hiking—You don’t need to climb Mount Everest to enjoy the benefit of walking in the woods. Don’t forget to wear layers.
• Swimming- So you can’t do the 100 meter butterfly? No problem. You can still reap the benefits of swimming. Even treading water or kicking your feet along the side of the pool will give you a good workout.
• Playing-Take your kids or grandkids to the park. Climb on the ladders or swing across the monkey bars with them. Play tag or hide-and-seek.
-Source: American Diabetes Association
Good Neighbor Pharmacy, September 2012
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