Diabetic Exercise:

Follow The Program
For Greater Diabetic Health

What kind of choices yields the best diabetic exercise?

Actually, there is no such thing as a best exercise program for a person with diabetes. Any kind of movement(s) that get your heart pumping and the muscles in your arms and legs moving is going to help you achieve greater diabetic health.

Benefits of a Diabetic Exercise Program

• increased energy with improved physical and emotional well-being

• lowered risk of heart disease

• enhances your blood cholesterol levels by raising the good cholesterol and lowering the bad

• decrease in your blood pressure readings

• controls weight gain, builds lean muscle, and reduces body fat

• improves the blood flow to all parts of your body

• allows your body to better utilize its available insulin while still reducing your dependency on any medications you may be currently taking

So, whether you are a newcomer to exercise needing an easy beginner's workout or you are interested in changing up to another good cardio workout, adding exercise to your daily schedule must be precluded initially by a full health physical so your doctor is fully aware of any limitations you may have (poor circulation, breathing or blood pressure problems, out of condition, or smoking habit etc.).

Some limitations can lead to instructions you must avoid certain types of exercise because of the stress which is generated on certain body groups. A few examples are:

• if you have any type of Eye Disease you should not do any jumping or jarring exercises or you must refrain from lifting weights.

• partial loss of feeling in your feet or legs prevents jogging and fast-walking as a choice. Swimming or water aerobics is a safer alternative.

• heart disease or the presence of its multiple risk factors means a tolerance test needs to be run first.

Rules Of A Diabetic Exercise Program

• warm up first by doing simple arm and leg swings or bends plus marching in place

• do some simple stretches on all extremities and the upper body

• wear a pair of good quality shoes for your feet protection

• drink some water before-during-and after your workout session

• lift some light weights (a 1 lb can of vegetables can serve this purpose) with each arm

• slightly bend your knees during all workouts. Do not ever lock your knees

• always do a cool down session. reverse the order of this list so your body has a chance to cool down

So although all diabetic exercise programs may be different from one individual to another, the objective here is not to deliver quantity or quality at the outset, it is more a question of being able to effectively and safely allow your body a chance at freedom of movement.

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