Yes, my daughter (now 11) was diagnosed at 1 year of age, and my son (now 20) was diagnosed at 12. I believe that that was when my Diabetes really started going to the back burner…with the exercise…I used to be a huge swimmer, was a lifeguard…became an aerobics instructor…now my old injuries from these sports deter me. I have worked with personal trainers… (very pricey) I walk alot throughout my day, but truly cannot qualify that as exercise…
My 8th grader is really into wrestling - the wrestling clubs seem to always be looking for coaches, if you volunteer to help with the kids that could be a way to get back in…
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Hi Sam…
I know the feeling. I was a lifeguard, an Aerobic Dance instructor…now with Type 1 for 33 yrs, with four children (2 with Type1) my own business as a Dietitian and Diabetes Educator…I have been pretty bad with my commitment to exercise…you sound LIke you are doing better than me with the cycling etc…It’s a battle!!
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I find walking an excellent exercise for helping to control blood glucose. I consistently walk 3-6 miles each day. I’ve walked 1300 miles in the last year. I don’t walk super fast but neither do I stroll. I keep up a pace of about 3.5 miles per hour.
While I understand that walking is not as intense as jogging or cycling, I find it has an outsized effect on my blood sugar. Walking, especially when insulin is peaking, can keep the blood sugar in a tight range. Walking acts as a catalyst and seems to make my insulin more effective.
The beauty of walking is that it doesn’t require any special equipment and can be done anywhere. To prove it to yourself how walking can help your blood glucose, just do a fingerstick reading before and after a 20 minute walk for at least three walking sessions. The results might surprise you.
Valid points…I agree with you, and am going to give it a try, broken up as three 20 minute walks daily…is much more doable…crazy that I advise my patients about smaller increments, but admittedly haven’t done it myself. Thanks for pointing this out!
since many of you are new members here, you may not have heard of the BigBlueTest - it’s a program we do here, usually around November, to show how just a little moderate exercise affects your blood sugar. the idea is to check your bg, do at least 14 minutes of exercise, then check it again and record the results on our app or website. here’s a sample of some of the analysis of the data
@Essie1 hopefully when we get around to BBT time this year, you can recommend your patients participate.
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This sounds great and would like to participate and encouragING my patients with something concrete…cannot beat that!!
Interesting and (dissapointing ) The difference 79% without diabetes and 21% with…wondering why the huge difference…
We encourage everyone to get their friends, family, and co-workers to participate - (the non diabetics don’t do the blood testing part). It’s for diabetes awareness, and our sponsors get involved by covering the costs of the grants we award - always folks doing amazing work for PWD in need (you can read about them on the blog).
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I’m constantly amazed at this site and actually come here every now and then to remind myself that I’m not alone. There are people here that get it. They just understand. I’ve had T1 for 40 years (diagnosed at 27 months old) and go through phases of good control vs just wanting to live without having to think about it. At times it feels all-consuming and I just want to shut my brain off from thinking about it. Steph, hopefully you’ve found a few buddies in your area. If anyone reading this is in the Chicago area please hit me up! I need someone who understands how waking up with 250 can put a damper on your entire day or why it’s almost cause for celebration when your blood sugar flatlines for an entire 24 hours. 