Diabetes is a serious condition. If it goes unmanaged, it can cause other serious issues such as heart disease, stroke or even blindness.
Thankfully, there are many steps you can make to manage diabetes and live a long, enjoyable life.
Watch what you eat
Diabetics must think about what they are putting into their body, being sure to get the proper nutrients and avoiding the foods and drinks that will cause blood sugar to spike.
Exercise and your blood sugar
Your blood sugar drops for up to 48 hours after you engage in physical activity. Exercise makes your muscles more receptive to insulin and enables them to absorb more glucose from the blood. However, the effects can vary from person to person.
In some cases, exercise will boost blood sugar.
The best way to find out how your body will respond is to test your blood sugar before, during and after activity.
A note about blood pressure
Exercise has been proven to lower blood pressure, which is a benefit for you if you suffer from diabetes.
High blood pressure is linked to heart attacks, strokes, eye problems, kidney issues, and other common diabetes complications.
Work your body
Understanding that physical activity is good for you doesn’t mean it’s an easy habit to develop. Fortunately, there are some specific exercises that are good for diabetics.
Use an app to measure how many steps you take each day. Taking 10,000 steps a day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, stroke and heart failure, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.
If walking doesn’t interest you, find another aerobic activity to practice for 30 minutes three times a week. Understand that it may take you some time to build up to that, especially if you’re not a particularly active person.
Start slow
If you’ve never had any kind of exercise routine before, your doctor will probably want to focus on your diet and possibly medication to get your blood sugar under control first.
Once your physician has approved, start with 5- to 10-minute walks as many days a week as you can.
Fair warning, it may not feel good right away. Over time, you can increase the length of your walks and you’ll probably even start to enjoy the activity.
For the mobility impaired
If you are obese or have another issue that decreases your mobility, a special individualized exercise regimen may be necessary.
Ask your physician for a program suitable to your needs. It may include yoga for seniors, water aerobics or chair exercises, which may be covered by your Medicare plan.
Take care of yourself
Managing your blood sugar and the other effects of diabetes on your body can be difficult. Consult your physician before embarking on any exercise and health regimen.
If you have questions about the benefits available to you through your Medicare plan, contact us here or at 800-722-7331.
This post was originally published in April 2018; updated May 2024.