'Muscle moving' means good diabetes control
The body uses blood glucose to help muscles move. Regular muscle movement helps your body stabilize its blood glucose levels.
- If you take insulin, regular activity can reduce your daily injection requirement.
- If you don't take insulin, regular activity can improve how your body regulates its own insulin.
Making activity part of your routine also can help you gain energy, lose weight, and lower high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Get started
Check with your doctor about how to make activity part of your routine. He or she might suggest starting with a few easy exercises.
You don't always have to have a formal exercise program. Just try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Simple things like parking further away, doing yard work, using the stairs instead of the elevator and going for walks can help you manage your diabetes
Diabetes health tip
An activity log will help you chart your progress and track patterns that may cause reactions. Note each activity and its duration. Record your glucose readings before and after.
 Physical activity log
Keep going
In making activity part of your life, it's good to remember the need to increase your heart rate for at least 15 minutes a day. Aerobic activities like walking, jogging, bicycling or swimming help keep your heart and lungs – not to mention the rest of your body – healthy.
Active people with diabetes should keep these tips in mind:
- Warm up and cool down. This gets your muscles ready to work harder and helps your circulation return to normal afterward.
- Check your blood glucose before and after exercising. Avoid exercise if your glucose is more than 240.
- Carry fast-acting sugar in case of a low blood glucose.
- Wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace in case of an emergency.
Dialog home page
Physical activity and exercise when you have diabetes Keeping your heart healthy when you have diabetes Fitness centers and programs
Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders; University of Massachusetts Medical School
First published: 09/05/2000
Last updated: 07/20/2010
Reviewed by: Mary Frederick, RN, MS, CDE, diabetes program manager, Allina Medical Clinic - Diabetes Education; Dawn McCarter, RN, BSN, CDE, diabetes program coordinator, Allina Medical Clinic - Diabetes Education
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