No doubt your doctor has talked with you about getting and staying active to help control your diabetes. But you may be wondering, why is it so important for people with diabetes to be physically active? Exercise can help you control your blood glucose, weight and blood pressure, as well as raise your "good" cholesterol and lower your "bad" cholesterol. It can also help prevent heart and blood-flow problems, reducing your risk of heart disease and nerve damage, which are often problems for people with diabetes.
Experts recommend moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on five or more days of the week. Some examples that would fit the bill include walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming or bicycling. If you are not accustomed to physical activity, you may want to start with a little exercise and work your way up. As you become stronger, you can add a few extra minutes to your physical activity each day. Do some form of physical activity every day, even if you're not formally "exercising." It's better to walk 10 or 20 minutes each day than one hour once a week.
Talk to your healthcare provider about a safe exercise plan. He or she may check your heart and your feet to be sure you have no special health problems related to your diabetes. If you have high blood pressure, eye or foot problems, you may need to avoid some kinds of exercise and choose others that work best for you.
Source: American Diabetes Association, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Connection, February 2013
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