Diabetes and Exercise
Aerobic exercise can actually be beneficial for people with diabetes. This exercise increases the insulin sensitivity and when combined with good eating, can help restore a normal glucose metabolism. Before starting into a workout program, you need to see your doctor first to determine if there are any risks for coronary artery disease and that your blood glucose control is appropriate for exercise. Once cleared, you will feel better and see for you the benefits associated with exercise.
Comments (3)
Great to see a photo of a couple Nordic Walking to illustrate this post. Since you didn’t name the activity of explain anything about it, I’ll take the libert of doing so.
Fitness walking with poles (called Nordic Walking and several other names) is extremely popular in Europe and growing here too. Nordic Walkers can burn 20-46% more calories than the same distance at the same speed without poles, without any increase in perceived exertion. It helps cardiovascular health and upper-body conditioning.
Other than adjustable or fixed-length poles (similar to but different from ski poles and trekking poles), no special equipment is required.
Lots more information can be found at http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com
During my three years as a Nordic Walking Instructor, I have had the privilege of teaching Nordic Pole Walking to a large number of individuals with various debilitating health and physical conditions ranging in type and severity and many of these individuals had diabetes. About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy,so apart from the regular benefits of aerobic exercise for diabetics, nordic walking poles assist those with neuropathy by providing stability and balance so they can begin and maintain regular aerobic exercise. It is a beautiful thing to be present for people’s ‘Aha Moments’, when they experience unexpected pluses and benefits from using the poles. In a Diabetic Research study (http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-research/summaries/balducci-exercise-neuropathy.jsp),among those who already had the condition,(P.N.), exercise seemed to slow down how quickly the condition got worse and although more research is needed to confirm this finding, it seems long-term exercise programs, such as brisk walking, may help people with diabetes avoid peripheral neuropathy.
For testimonials by nordic walking users, please see:http://www.health-adventure-coach.com/pages.asp?pageid=38525
Lori Clinch Adams
Treasure Valley Nordic Walking Adventures, Idaho
This has been a great posts for diabetics. It doesnt matter who you are, exercise is essential to your health.