Live your Live with Diabetes
Endless Possibilities
Talk to your health care team about which activities will be safe for you. Your health care provider’s advice will depend on the condition of your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, feet, and nervous system.
Choose what you’ll do and make detailed plans. Think about what activities are realistic for you and choose the ones you think you can do. Start slowly. Your activity should be somewhat challenging but not overly difficult.
Learn your blood glucose response to exercise. Checking your blood glucose before and after exercise can show you the benefits of activity. You also can use the results of your blood glucose checks to prevent low blood glucose or high blood glucose.
If your blood glucose is high before you exercise (above 300), physical activity can make it go even higher, so be cautious about doing something active. For those with type 1 diabetes, if your fasting glucose level is above 250 and you have ketones in your urine, it’s best to avoid physical activity.
Learn how to avoid low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Keep in mind that low blood glucose can occur during or long after physical activity. Low blood glucose most likely occurs if you:
Take insulin or diabetes pill
Skip a meal
Exercise a long time
Exercise strenuously
If low blood glucose is interfering with your exercise routine, eating a snack before you exercise or adjusting your medication may help. Talk to your health care team about what is right for you. During activity, check your blood glucose if you notice symptoms such as hunger, nervousness, shakiness, or sweating. If your blood glucose is 70 or below, have 2 to 5 glucose tablets, ½ cup (4 ounces) of fruit juice, or ½ cup of a regular soft drink to raise your blood glucose. After 15 minutes, check your blood glucose again. If it’s still below 70, have another serving and repeat these steps until your blood glucose is at least 70.
Leave a Reply