A few questions for you to think about……..

Do you exercise 4 times a week for 45 minutes, or 3 hours per week Do you exercise 4 times a week for 45 minutes, or 3 hours per week? These are recommended UK guidelines 

What type of exercise do you do? This is important as different types can affect your blood glucose in different ways.

These types can cause: Day to day = low levels Short and sharp (squash, sprinting, ) = high glucose levels Moderate/intermittent for up to 1.5 hours (classes, jogging, swimming, team sports) = high and/or low Endurance over 1 hour (running, cycling) = low

Remember…day to day exercise can cause hypos These things are good to do… Walking Climbing up stairs Using the stairs rather than escalator Housework Shopping Taking the dog for a walk Getting off the bus a few stops early Exercises in the house

Does having diabetes puts you off exercise Does having diabetes puts you off exercise? This is quite common and the main reasons are hypoglycaemia and loss of diabetes control

If diabetes does put you off exercise ? Think of the benefits which are: It can improve your blood glucose control – although sometimes can be difficult with insulin/carbohydrate adjusting It can make you use insulin better as your body becomes more sensitive, and you might need to reduce you daily insulin It can improve your cardiovascular risk in the future Regular exercise can make you feel better and happier

What blood glucose level do you aim for before exercise What blood glucose level do you aim for before exercise? Most people aim for higher levels to prevent hypos Do you think this works? Or what problems might it cause?

First some questions on Hypoglycaemia Have you ever had a hypo during or after exercise? You can have a hypo up to 12 hours after finishing exercise. Do you eat extra carbohydrate food to prevent hypos? This can be frustrating if trying to lose weight.

Next, hyperglycaemia (or high levels) Have you experienced this? And why do levels go higher when they are supposed to go lower with exercise? Some things you should know….. High blood sugars can happen when exercising. If your blood glucose is over 15.0 before exercise you should check for ketones. High glucose can affect your performance and how you feel.

So…….. Has that provoked any questions about yourself? Do you feel you want to start exercising? Do you think you need to learn about how to manage your glucose levels? Do you have highs or lows when exercising? Do you struggle with weight and want to learn how to use exercise to lose weight?

The following section can help you with these questions and how to manage your diabetes 