Diabetes
Including some physical activity in your day-to-day life is a recognised
way of managing type 2 diabetes
Exercise can help your body to use the insulin that's available to it to
turn the sugar in your bloodstream into energy. It can also help you lose
some weight, which is really important for controlling your diabetes and
preventing the development of serious side effects such as
high blood pressure
and heart problems.
Ideally, you should build up to about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five
times a week. Aerobic exercise is any activity that makes your muscles use
more oxygen. Most exercises that make your heart beat faster and make you
feel short of breath are aerobic. You should always consult an expert, such
as a qualified personal trainer, your doctor or your practice nurse, before
starting a new exercise regime, or if you have any concerns.
Don't worry... you don't have to run a marathon! Here are some simple
exercise ideas to get you started:
-
Put some extra effort into everyday activities.
Walking the dog a little further, walking up the stairs instead of
taking the lift and parking your car at the far end of the car park
when you go shopping are all good ways to include exercise in your
day-to-day life.
-
Take a daily walk at a pace that's a little faster
than normal. If you feel slightly out of breath, you'll know that
you're getting the right kind of exercise.
-
Make a date with a friend to exercise together.
The companionship and motivation will help make the experience
more fun.
-
Turn your living room into a gym – Even
if you are housebound, it's still possible to get aerobic exercise.
Try pushing down on the arms of your chair and lifting your body
from the seat for a few seconds. Or simply get up every time you
want to change TV channels.