As a diabetic, you need to take extra care when exercising. Any physical activity will impact on your blood glucose levels. Because you need to keep your blood sugar levels in check, you need to balance your intake of sugars/carbohydrates and your exercise. If you’re into endurance sports like running or cycling, this is even more important. In this article, we provide you with 5 easy ways to control your blood glucose while exercising. The aim is to help you to exercise safely so that you’ll reap all the benefits without putting your health at risk.
#1 – Consult Your Medical Team
The most important item on our list of with 5 easy ways to control your blood glucose while exercising, is working with your medical team. This is especially true if you’re only starting out. Together, you’ll be able to assess your current fitness levels and build an exercise plan suitable for you.
#2 – Eat a Nutritious Snack Before and After Your Workout
Fasting isn’t one of our 5 easy ways to control your blood glucose while exercising. Even if you’re trying to shed a few pounds, you’ll still need to eat a nutritious snack before and after. That way, you blood glucose levels will remain within a healthy range.
#3 – Stay Hydrated
Dehydration poses considerable risks to diabetics. If you don’t drink enough water, your blood glucose levels are likely to rise sharply.
#4 – Check Your Blood Glucose Levels While Exercising
Next on our list of 5 easy ways to control your blood glucose while exercising is monitoring your blood sugar levels. Diabetes experts recommend checking them before, during and after a workout, pointing out that blood glucose levels may continue to drop for up to 24 hours after your workout.
#5 – Discuss Your Diabetics Medication with Your Physician
Exercise and diabetes drugs impact on blood sugar levels. Therefore, you’ll need to ask your doctor how best to coordinate the two.