The dictionary defines diabetes mellitus as a chronic form of diabetes involving an insulin deficiency, and characterized by an excess of sugar in the blood and urine, and by hunger, thirst and gradual loss of weight.
Type II diabetes is characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood, not because the body can’t produce insulin as in Type I diabetes, but because the body’s cells can’t seem to regulate the available insulin. Insulin helps our cells to allow sugar to enter the blood giving us energy. Exercise helps the cells to receive blood sugar to be used as fuel instead of continuing to circulate in the blood stream. Exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, or biking performed on a regular basis at a moderate intensity would be beneficial. Prior to exercise, have a medical exam and let your health team help you choose the right program. Check your blood sugar before, during and after exercise. Plan your exercise along with your regular medication and meal times. Generally, you want to exercise after you have eaten. You may want to have a snack available during exercise to avoid low blood sugar levels.
Drink plenty of water and try to maintain a comfortable body temperature during your workouts. Begin with a warm up to get your body ready for exercise, and end with a cool down to allow your breathing and heart rate to return to normal. A warm up could include slow to moderate walking and a cool down may involve stretching. Because diabetes can affect your feet, pay attention to their care and comfort. Examine them for cuts, bruises and swelling. Know the safe limits of your blood glucose (sugar) levels. If it rises too high, you may experience thirst, dry itchy skin, and the need to urinate frequently. If the levels are too low, you may be tired, hungry, confused or nervous. Maintain proper nutrition by having a diet low in fat, moderate in protein, and high in complex carbohydrates such as beans, vegetables and whole grains. Weight loss helps your body use insulin more efficiently. Talk with your doctor to determine a proper healthy weight for you. Have regular eye exams, as diabetes can cause severe eye disorders such as glaucoma.
Seek support from family, friends and health professionals in planning healthy menus, exercising with you, remembering your medication times and handling emergencies. You are not alone. Diabetes is very common. The following people had diabetes and lived very successful lives: Jackie Gleason, Spencer Tracy, Elvis Presley, Thomas Edison, Billy Jean King, and many others. Be the best you can be in your life’s situation. Don’t stop living and loving life. Have long and short range goals to include your exercise programs. You can do more than aerobic exercise. Try weight lifting and possibly a sport such as tennis or golf. Do something physical each day and make it fun and exciting. Be your own cheerleader.
Sources:
Right From The Start Magazine, 2001 Edition
Twenty Steps to Safe Exercise, brochure
Diabetes Head to Toe , America Diabetes Association, Alexandria , Virginia
Prevention Magazine, June 2002
Article by Bob McDowell, Certified Personal Trainer.