If you are living with diabetes or caring for someone with diabetes, it’s important to understand that regular exercise is a part of the prescription for healthier living and you have several choices that let you find the best exercise or combinations of exercise.

Not all exercise is the same, but there’s something there for all body types and fitness levels whether you are running a marathon or a reformed couch potato. The four recognized types of exercise are cardio, resistance, flexibility and functional. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) identifies several options in each category.

Aerobic exercise

• Take a brisk walk (outside or inside on a treadmill)
• Go dancing
• Take a low-impact aerobics class
• Swim or do water aerobic exercises
• Try ice-skating or roller-skating
• Play tennis
• Ride your bicycle outside
• Stationary bicycle indoors

Strength Training

• Join a class to do strength training with weights, elastic bands, or plastic tubes
• Lift light weights at home
• Try calisthenics

Flexibility Exercises

• Taking an aerobics or fitness classes that includes stretching
• Doing yoga or Pilates
• Stretching on your own before and after exercising

If none of these work for you, remember that your everyday activities provide good exercise opportunities.

• Walk instead of drive whenever possible
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Work in the garden, rake leaves, or do some housecleaning every day
• Park at the far end of the shopping center lot and walk to the store
• Walk down every aisle of the grocery store
• Walk in place or stretch while you watch
• TV Walk around the house or up and down stairs while you talk on the phone
• Get up from your desk and take a lap around the office once each hour while you are at work

Some form of physical activity helps one feel and look better, but it also has a positive impact on blood sugar levels much like the effect of insulin on the body.

Diabetes Management & Supplies offers diabetes self-management and diabetes education services and a unique “I’m in Control” program. For more information on specific exercise needs or to enroll in group or individual sessions, call our Education Department at 1-888-738-7929.