Diabetes Care

American Diabetic Supply encourages every diabetic to exercise. Exercise should be looked at as a prescription to help manage diabetes. Exercise is an essential part of diabetic care, as important as monitoring glucose levels, adjusting insulin and eating a proper diet.

Before beginning any program, it's important to monitor your glucose levels, especially directly before and after exercise. You may want to eat a snack prior to working out if low glucose is a problem for you. Also, exercise can make a high blood glucose level skyrocket, so it's best to start slowly if you haven't been exercising regularly. Once you've discovered your normal patterns, you'll find it easier to incorporate exercise into your life.

The Exercise Prescription
When exercise changes from a hobby to being an essential part of diabetic care, you may feel that every part of your life is being regimented. Even those who enjoy exercise may start to perceive it as a chore. Mixing your exercise routine up from day to day will go far in helping you feel you have some control. You do have the choice of when, where and how to exercise. One day you can walk in the park. Another day you may want to walk through the mall. You can ride a stationary bike, jump rope, play tennis, swim, or dance--anything!

You can also implement a reward system into your life when you have met your goals. For every week you have faithfully stuck to your exercise program, reward yourself with a treat. Rewards can be a book, soak in the tub, a new DVD or CD--anything that makes you happy and inspired. Remember, the chances of diabetes complications decrease when you exercise, so be sure to get moving!