Food, food, food! People with diabetes hear about diet, nutrition and meal plans all the time. What you eat and how you eat is vitally important to controlling diabetes. But physical activity is just as beneficial as diet for people with diabetes.
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Why Get Off The Couch?
Physical activity helps to reverse what causes type 2 diabetes in the first place, which is insulin resistance. When you have insulin resistance your body may be making plenty of insulin, but the insulin is unable to do its job properly. Engaging in physical activity every day will improve your body’s ability to use insulin, which might allow you to avoid medication or decrease the amount of medication you need.
Regular physical activity will also lower your blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and bad cholesterol, while increasing your good cholesterol. It lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke – both of which are disease risk among people with diabetes. It keeps your heart and bones strong and your joints flexible. You will have more energy, less stress and a clearer mind. And, if you work it right, you may lose weight and body fat as well.
What Kinds Of Activities Should You Include?
Four kinds of physical activity can help – aerobic exercise, strength training, stretching, and being extra active every day. You should try to get a little of each into your weekly exercise plan.
1. Aerobic Exercise
Exercise experts recommend that you do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day, most days of the week. Some ways to get aerobic exercise include; walking briskly, swimming or water aerobics, dancing or taking a dance aerobics class such as zumba.
2. Strength Training