The word “exercise” makes many people scurry away in absolute fear, but the truth is, exercise is not just about jogging ten miles a day or laboring at the gym for hours. In fact, exercise can be as simple as washing the dishes by hand instead of putting them in the dishwasher. That's not so hard to do, is it? While exercise is important for everyone, extra attention to physical activity must be paid by diabetes patients. Any exercise for diabetics can benefit even the most ailing patient, so it's vital to talk to your doctor and plan out a daily exercise routine.
An exercise routine does not need to be a test of endurance, but rather a simple plan based on what you usually do. If you are a person who loves gardening, then you already get some exercise with all that bending and digging. Likewise, the type of exercise for diabetics recommended to you by your doctor will be based on your daily activities. Instead of sun bathing beside the pool, jump in and do two laps. Rearrange your household, one room per day, and notice the difference you feel. Every little physical movement and stretch you make counts as exercise.
Are you a typically inactive person, who has never bothered to exercise? If so, then you will need to be mentally prepared to take that first step towards a healthier you. Whether you need to find a suitable exercise for diabetics or simply become healthier, you first need to realize that whatever limitations you believe you have are surmountable. If you don't have 30 minutes a day to spare for exercising, do 10 minutes instead. Too tired after work? Do your routine in the morning, just after waking up. If your knees hurt from walking or jogging, try swimming or chair exercises. Remember, where there's a will, there's a way.
Diabetes is a lifelong condition and if you have it, you must exercise to help keep your blood glucose level under control. When you exercise, your blood glucose decreases. This helps doctors treat diabetes through a more natural method. While exercise for diabetics is important, it's also crucial to monitor blood glucose levels during and after exercises. If the level reduces drastically, you must stop and rest for awhile. Having a small snack will help reduce the effects.
What are the most commonly recommended types of exercise for diabetics? First, there's aerobics, which raises your heart rate, gives your muscles a workout and makes you breath harder. Brisk walking, swimming, low-impact aerobics lessons, tennis, dancing and cycling are all popular aerobic exercises. Strength training is also necessary if you are constantly on the move, because it builds muscles and burns more calories, making it easier for you complete daily chores efficiently.
Flexibility exercises, which means you have to do some stretching, will help keep joints supple and reduce injury risks while doing more strenuous exercises. In general, exercise for diabetics are about any type of movement, which will help keep diabetes at bay in the long term.
Even if daily exercises are out of the question, you can still make sure you are physically active by walking to the grocery instead of driving or climbing the stairs instead of taking the lift. Don't let your daily exercise for diabetics become a chore. Make it fun, add variety once in awhile, try different exercise routines and you will be happy, healthy and energized.