Physical Activity Is Key To Managing Diabetes

Physical activity is very important for people with diabetes. If you have diabetes, being active makes your body more sensitive to insulin, the hormone that allows cells in your body to use blood sugar for energy. Increased insulin sensitivity helps manage your diabetes. Physical activity also helps control blood sugar levels and lowers your risk of heart disease and nerve damage.

Additional benefits of regular physical activity include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Losing weight, if needed
• Feeling happier
• Sleeping better
• Improving your memory
• Controlling your blood pressure
• Lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol

Experts recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity. One way to do this is to try to fit in at least 20 to 25 minutes of activity every day. Also, on 2 or more days a week, include activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

Examples of moderate-intensity physical activities include:

• Walking briskly
• Doing housework
• Dancing
• Swimming
• Bicycling
• Playing sports

These activities work your large muscles, increase your heart rate, and make you breathe harder, which are important goals for fitness. Stretching helps to make you flexible and prevent soreness after being physically active.

Consult your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen. Shop at Watsons for your complete diabetes care essentials.

Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/active.html. Accessed 3 October 2023