Fitness consciousness is something now seen among everyone. Be it a teenager or a 50 year old, all want to be fit and fine. Then why should you be left behind? Exercise is important for every person as it helps you in being active. But if you are a diabetic then exercise is also a tool in managing your diabetes. It can be just as useful as diabetes medicine or planning your diet. Many diabetics who exercise regularly require less medication.

Benefits Of Regular Exercise To Diabetics…

• Improves ability to transport oxygen that provides increased stamina and endurance
• Lowers the blood sugar and improves the body’s ability to use glucose as it uses up extra sugar in your blood and helps your own insulin work better
• With regular exercise, the amount of insulin needed decreases
• Decreases your blood pressure and reduces the risk of your getting heart problems
• Helps you to lose weight or maintain your weight as exercise burns excess calories which are stored as fat cells
• Keeps your body and your joints flexible, and tones your muscles
• Improves physical fitness and through exercise, you have more energy, you are more relaxed and you feel less fatigued
• Helps you deal with stress
• Gives you a feeling of general well being

Always Remember…

• Consult your doctor before starting any exercise regime as your doctor will guide with the exercises right for you
• Whatever kind of exercise you choose to do, start slowly and gradually. Begin by doing only 5 to 10 minutes a day. Increase the duration and intensity of exercise gradually
• Check your blood sugar level before and after exercising
• Exercise 1 ½- 2 hours after eating
• Drink plenty of fluid before, during and after exercising
• Warm up before exercising and cool down afterward
• Have a snack handy in case your blood sugar level drops too low
• Do not inject insulin into the muscle groups that will be used during the exercise session because the insulin will be absorbed too quickly, and may result in hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar
• Wear the proper shoes and socks. Shoes should be comfortable, well-fitting and appropriate for the chosen exercise. Smooth socks should be worn during exercise and changed after a workout. Sweaty socks increase the chance of getting athlete's foot
• Care has to be taken when exercising in extreme weather conditions. Hot weather can speed up insulin absorption, while cold weather can slow down insulin absorption
• Care has to be taken in cases of diabetics with retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels of the eye), neuropathy (damage to the nerves and circulation to extremities), nephropathy (kidney damage) or cardiac (heart) diseases

Medication is not sufficient to make a diabetic feel good and live a full life. Exercise and good nutrition play a crucial role in controlling diabetes. Sticking to an exercise program can be a challenge. But when you weigh the benefits of exercising then there will be nothing stopping you. Exercise will improve the quality of your life and save you from falling prey to the complications that diabetes cause over the time.

So, which park or beach are you going for your morning walks tomorrow? If you have yet not decided, then hurry up before it gets too late.