Primary Care
Believe in Better Health Toolkit
Diabetes and Exercise
How does exercise help
manage diabetes?
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Regular exercise benefits diabetes by improving
insulin control and reducing the risk for cardiac
complications.
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Increases energy and can simply make you feel
better!
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Increases strength and ease of movement.
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Helps to control blood pressure, blood fats
(lipids), and blood sugar.
Your Specialized Exercise Prescription
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Exercise should be performed on a regular basis,
preferably 5-7 days per week.
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Best to exercise at a low to moderate intensity.
Avoid exercising at high intensity.
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Strive to exercise for 20-40 minutes. Build
up slowly and gradually to this level.
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If you exercise longer than one hour, monitor
blood glucose levels periodically using a "finger
stick".
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Select an activity that you enjoy. Morning is
best, avoid exercise in the evening.
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Wear clean, smooth-fitting socks made of natural
fibers.
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Choose well fitting shoes that offer comfort
and support.
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Exercise can be many things; walking, dancing,
or water walking. The key is continuous activity.
Principles of Success
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Find an exercise partner or class you can join.
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Do not compare yourself to others. Just do the
best you can each time.
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Always take the time to care for you feet.
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Start slow, gradually add a few more minutes
of aerobic activity each week until you can
sustain 40-60 minutes of continuous activity.
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Always warm up and cool down (in the 20-60 minutes)
to allow your body time to adjust to the
demands of exercise.
Precautions
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Insulin should not be injected into sites on
the exercising limb if exercise is planned
for immediately after the injection.
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Carry something to eat that contains carbohydrates
(glucose/sugar). Use it to prevent or treat
low blood sugar if needed.
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Drink more liquids that contain no calories,
when exercising.
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Stop exercising immediately if you have warning
symptoms: faintness, headache, visual disturbances,
confusion, apathy, nervousness, unsteadiness of
gait, or tremor of the hands.
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Best to exercise at your peak energy level,
usually one to three hours after meals.
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Always check your feet for signs of redness
or infection. Call you doctor immediately
if you have a foot problem.
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Do not exercise if your blood sugar is higher
than 240 mg/dl, or if you have pain in your
legs or feet.
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Avoid exercising in extreme heat or cold.
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Source: Center for Lifetime Wellness, University of Rochester
Medical Center, 2003.
The
University of Rochester Medical Center’s
commitment to help Rochester
become America’s healthiest community
by 2020
(complete index of Believe
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