Engaging in physical activity as a diabetic can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with diabetes.
Weight loss from exercise doesn’t occur that easily for diabetics but physical activity is extremely important for keeping blood pressure, HDL cholesterol and weight down. The awareness that heart disease and other blood vessel diseases are more likely to cause life threatening complications for diabetics than kidney failure is relatively new.
Physical activities that lower blood glucose levels, decrease blood pressure, reduce insulin resistance and bump up the HDL cholesterol need to become a seven day a week lifetime habit for diabetics.
Physical Activities for Diabetics
Walking is the most popular start for diabetics. The flexibility of a walking regime appeals to many and can be built up over a course of time for diabetics. In the beginning, a 20 minute walk three or four times a week is considered a good start. The maintenance regime of 30 minutes, five times a week is the mark to aim for within two months.
In addition to daily walks, it is critical to have a couple of other physical activities that are participated in once or twice a week. Physical activities should be something genuinely enjoyed for diabetics because it’s important that it becomes a lifetime habit.
When reviewing the changes having diabetes requires in a certain lifestyle, it is important to make small changes, one at a time. Adding physical activities one at a time and building on the duration of them is the best way to ensure they will become a routine. However, too much activity all at once is often followed by doing nothing at all.
Improving Physical Activities for Diabetics
Building muscle and lowering the fat content in the physical makeup improves insulin sensitivity. Adding physical activities to daily routines that achieve these goals should be a high priority for the diabetic.
It is suggested by doctors and physical trainers that a few days be spent monitoring the amount and type of activities done each day before adding a physical activity. Doing so gives the diabetic a chance to make a realistic appraisal of the beginning baseline. When looking back to measure gains, it is good to have a clear idea of the starting point.
Keeping track of physical activities for diabetics on a calendar is a visual affirmation of what has been achieved and a reminder to continue with the new routines.
“Physical activities” does not necessarily mean exercise programs. Diabetics benefit from bowling, dancing, playing horse shoes, raking leaves or hiking. All these physical activities for diabetics can be counted as the extra physical activity done in conjunction with the five day walking routine!
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References:
American Diabetes Association
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