Type 1 Diabetes and Exercise

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Type 1 Diabetes & Exercise

If you've been a diabetic for some time, you may have forgotten the

important link between good blood sugar level control and exercise.

Regular exercise and diet are the two keys to good management of your health and diabetes - getting the balance right can help you to feel more energetic, lower your HBA1C and give long term health improvements, as well as minimising the risks for complications.

Getting The Right Exercise

If your doctor or health practitioner has recommended regular, vigorous activity - it's normal for an insulin dependent person to be anxious about having a hypo attack during or shortly after exercise.

Whilst you may feel comfortable going for long walks with just a snack or two in your pocket, the idea of 30-45 minutes of hard cardiovascular exercise at the gym is quite a different matter.

The key is to plan ahead, be smart with checking your levels before and after exercise, but also to eat the right kinds of food.

Good News

There are two times when you're likely to be allowed "forbidden" high-carb foods - when you're low and need a quick sugar "fix" or just before exercise when you know you're going to be using lots of energy quickly.

This isn't an excuse to eat badly on a regular basis, but if there are foods that you are craving, this may be a legitimate way to enjoy them - do check with your doctor or health practitioner what would be appropriate.

Check the link for some tasty snack recipes for diabetics .

Keep It Regular

Plan to exercise - whether it's daily walking, cycling, running or visits to the gym - plan it in.  If it helps you, go along with a friend as this can help with motivation.

At the end of the day, when it comes to exercise - "just do it"!  The short term buzz and the long term health benefits are definitely worth it.