The short-term benefits of increasing physical activity for a person with diabetes:
• Lowers your blood glucose within one hour.
• Increases your energy and strength during the day
• Decreases stress, anxiety and fatigue
• Improves relaxation and sleep
• Improves overall well being
The long-term benefits if activity is sustained:
• Improved blood glucose (sugar) control.
• Helps to maintain or lose weight.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Stronger bones and muscles.
• Lower risk of diabetes complications such as eye, heart, and kidney disease.
• Improved quality of life.
One of the most effective aerobic activities with the lowest dropout rate is walking. It can be as simple as going for a brisk walk in your neighborhood. Click here for an example of a walking plan if you are just starting out. Feel free to print it for your own use or share it with others.
Both aerobic and resistance exercises are important when it comes to decreasing the risk of developing or advancing Type 2 Diabetes as both help to improve the bodies insulin sensitivity.
The following facts were taken from the Canadian Diabetes Association website:
• Low physical fitness is as strong a risk factor for mortality as smoking.
• Fitness level is one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality in people with diabetes.
• Physical activity can be as powerful as glucose-lowering medication… with fewer side effects.
• Regular physical activity, in conjunction with healthy eating and weight control, can reduce type 2 diabetes incidence by 60 per cent.
If you require help with getting started on an exercise or activity plan, ask your PCN family doctor for a referral to the Exercise Specialist on the SMILE team. Corinne Cutler is an Exercise Specialist at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.
