Exercising regularly is an important aspect of a healthy life. Among the benefits of having a more active lifestyle is that you are able to lower your blood sugar levels. Exercises that help in lowering your blood sugar levels are highly recommended. This way, it becomes easier to keep your diabetes under control.
You do not necessarily need to run a whole marathon in order to get results from exercises that help with blood sugar levels. Involving yourself in simple and less strenuous exercises such as swimming, walking, yoga, playing with your children if you have them is a great way to keep fit and stay in good shape.
The. steps below will help you get started.
Firstly, you need to come up with a plan or a routine for exercises that help lower blood sugar levels. It is very important to consult your doctor in choosing the best exercises suited for you. If you are living with diabetes, you need to ask whether a change in your diabetic medication is necessary before you begin on your exercise routine.
Secondly, when deciding on the exercises that help lower blood sugar levels, ensure that you settle for things that you enjoy the most. That way, you are more likely to stick to them and sustain your exercise routine for longer.
Examples of exercises that help lower blood sugar levels you can include in your routine include;
- Taking a walk outdoors. You can also walk indoors in a track or at the mall.
- Taking up a dancing class.
- Riding a bicycle outdoors or riding a stationary bike while indoors.
- Swimming or you can opt for water aerobics.
- Doing body stretches or such exercises that help lower blood sugar levels.
- Trying out yoga or tai chi.
- Playing tennis
- Taking aerobics or fitness classes.
- Doing your house chores or gardening.
- Trying out resistance training using elastic bands or light weights.
How does exercising help in lowering your blood sugar levels?
Moderate exercises that help lower blood sugar levels such as swimming or walking make your heart beat a bit faster and cause you to breathe a bit harder. This way, the muscles use more of the glucose that is contained in your bloodstream. The gradual effect of this is that there will be a decrease in your blood sugar levels. In addition to this, exercises that help lower blood sugar levels enable your body to utilize insulin better.
Remember not to overdo it with your exercise routine. This is because strenuous exercise could lead to a temporary increase in blood sugar after you stop exercising. This is explained by the influx of stress hormones released by the body during a very intense work out that lead to an increase in your blood sugar levels.
Thirdly, set up a workable schedule. Most health specialist recommend exercising after meals. You can consult with your doctor on the best time for you to work out. You can walk your dog after breakfast and/or dinner. You can also take up a yoga or tai chi class or play tennis after lunch. In order to stay motivated, you can involve a friend or a member of your family in your exercise routine. Company makes exercising more fun too.
Fourthly, ensure that you ready yourself for exercises. This entails wearing clothes that are well-fitting, cotton socks and comfortable shoes. The right shoes are key especially if you are living with diabetes. This is because they prevent you from getting blisters that could develop into serious wounds and infections.
You also need to check your blood sugar levels before you begin exercising. Should they be below 100 mg/dl, you are advised to eat a snack first. Ensure that you always carry an extra snack or glucose tablets in case your blood sugar drops below the recommended limit. Drinking of plenty of water cannot be overemphasized. If your living with diabetes, ensure that you always have your diabetes ID necklace or bracelet on during exercise.
Finally, once you are ready, then you can embark on your exercise routine. You are advised to start slowly, maybe a few minutes for a few days in a week and go building up to at least thirty minutes three to five times a week. In order to monitor the improvement in your blood sugar levels, keep a notebook where you write down the blood sugar levels before and after working out. You can also include the length of your work out sessions.
Source
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/exercise-lower-blood-sugar
