I am also not fond of exercising. But when I take a few days off, my numbers get a bit erratic or creep upward, so I know it helps. My current means of dealing is that I have a collection of fitness DVDs that only make you exercise for 20 minutes at a time. So even when I'm feeling whiny about it, I know that 20 minutes can be snuck into the schedule without impacting the day too much. These days, exercise has at least become a habit. Stubborn or not, you may just need to find the form of exercise that appeals to you the most and keep at it until it becomes a habit.
Thanks everyone for all your input. Plenty to think about. Meanwhile I am happy in the land of the Maya, with warm people, thunder in the afternoon and broken sidewalks. Tomorrow I see my Spanish teacher for classes who is also my friend and yes, I walk.
Hi Zoe, I think it's great you figured all this out! I'm not really an exerciser either, and chronic pain hasn't helped that, but I do a lot of gardening and I seem to just be in motion a lot of the time anyway.. but you said you hate that... My bg often goes low when I garden or I can lower myself from a high or keep myself steady.. it's great exercise but it doesn't feel like the drudgery of a stair stepper.
I also would try lifting some weights even something like that can help with weight loss and build up muscles etc. My main exercise is walking, and I usually do a lot of photography while I'm doing that through the neighborhood to make it less boring. Can you join a walking/hiking group? Maybe that would give you more motivation. Really any type of activity where you're in motion should help. Maybe try joining a class even though you hate it and just see how it goes? I think we can always change and the weight loss could be a motivation for you to try something new. I plan to start bicycling again soon, which I had stopped, due to other health things, to try to get my muscles in better shape.
I agree that exercise is a variable and I have to be careful not to overdo things to go too low before a meal... eating some nuts or a little candy or something usually helps me with that. There are days where I just chill when my bg is stable.. it's usually high bg that really gets me going with the activities when I don't really feel like it.
Thanks, Meee; I appreciate hearing people who do it when it doesn't come so easy. I'm probably the only person where I live that doesn't garden. I love fresh vegies, but I figure that's what Farmer's Markets are for..lol. I used to be really into photography and just let it drift. Recently I got a gift of my first digital camera which I of course have with me here in Guatemala. Lots of things to snap here, though I have my pride about looking like a tourist in the place I used to live! But at home in California I don't have that hesitation. The fawns were just coming out for their public debut when I left. One jumped onto my deck and then left again too suddenly for me to get my camera, but they will still have their spots when I return. Good idea to wander around with my camera as an excuse to walk; thanks!
Well it sounds to me like you just need to find a reason to walk where you live now… There’s really nothing you could walk to? Not even an isolatef coffee stand or the post office or anything? You just need to convince yourself you are actually going somewhere to enjoy it
Thanks for that input, Shawnmarie; that is, indeed, the key question for me. The answer would definitely be that I hate gaining weight more. But in the past I've gotten around it because I lost weight without the need to exercise. And losing 40 pounds effortlessly on diagnosis gave me the hope that it would be easy to maintain. But that has gotten harder and harder as I've gotten older, and I do now believe that insulin contributes to that difficulty. So if walking becomes, for me, a reliable variable that makes that easier, than you are right, that would be a bigger Aha. I am going to review this thread when I get home and pick among the great suggestions for what will make it an enjoyable habit, not a chore. That's how I approached eating as a diabetic: using my creativity to find foods I enjoy that are also D friendly. So I can apply the same principle. Thanks!
Not realistically, Sam. I'm 1.6 miles up a curvy road from town. In an emergency I could walk down it and get a cab back up, but I'd worry about cars coming around the bends.I may try it though. But you hit the nail on the head with "a reason to walk" so I'm going to look at other options: nature destinations, driving to a place where I can then walk to do chores, listening to books, and photography are now on my list. Thanks!
Don't worry about being a "tourist"..! if you like it photography can and should be done everywhere and anywhere.. so many photo ops all the time.. and if you want to get really high tech, get a smart phone and join instagram, then you can post your pics for reviews while you walk or later... I'm so happy with my iphone now.. I got it a few months before my D and it literally saved my life by allowing me to communicate with my family when I was in the hospital... very good for emergencies. I also use it for all my bg records, reminding me when to eat, test etc. You can listen to books & music on a phone too, or just go for an ipod.. I was listening to music on my ipod while I walked, but for some reason stopped that now and photography has taken over again because it really keeps my attention. Also one of the main things that makes me exercise I think is the way I feel after, even with some light weight lifting I get a big boost of endorphins. Sometimes I have more pain if I overdo it but most of the time just feel better overall.
Zoe I walk for fun and exercise I choose reasons to walk. Everyday. I park my car a long way from the mall. I take the steps up instead of the elevator. I walk intentionally to the grocery around the corner. When you are in town, I suggest you get a lightweight fold up cart for purchases, then park your car;and walk to run errands. Walking is my major form of exercise, though I wil be getting a new bike soon, as my Pee-wee Herman like one crumbled away!! I also like to line dance and used to take a class at the Senior center. Too much fun. Exercise helps with both weight and blood sugar control.
Thanks, Brunetta! Good point about building in the walking for a purpose. I have to admit: The super market and CVS are in the same plaza and I actually get in the car and drive from one to the other!
