Taking Diabetes One Step at a Time
What do you think when you hear the word “exercise”? Weightlifting? Cardio? Stretches? When people hear the word “exercise”, many think of intense workouts, lifting weights, and running. However, exercise doesn’t have to be intimidating. Each step you take brings you one step closer to a healthier body. Physical activity is still an important aspect of diabetes management as it helps to control blood sugar levels.
What is the weekly exercise recommendation for an average person?
Walking is a good form of exercise to increase your daily activity. Both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommend 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise a week. The CDC breaks it up apart to help achieve 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise per week. It can be difficult getting in 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise per week. However, there needs to be a build up to it.
The CDC recommends the following to reach your weekly exercise goals:
- 30 minutes for five days a week
- 15 minutes ten times a week
- 10 minutes for several times throughout the day
Here are a few simple ways you can start incorporating exercise today:
- Parking farther away and walking into the store
- Taking an extra lap at the mall or grocery store
- Skip the elevator or escalator, and take the stairs
- If you have a dog, walk your dog daily
- Get off at an earlier bus stop, and walk to your destination
- Walk with your colleagues or coworkers during the lunch hour
How does physical activity help to manage Diabetes?
Physical activity is actually one of the most important pillars to help manage diabetes. Walking is a great way to start because it helps to reduce glucose levels within the bloodstream. Therefore, walking helps to reduce A1C, average blood glucose levels, within three months.
In addition to managing diabetes, physical activity helps you lose weight, releases endorphins (body’s natural painkillers) to improve mental health, and reduces risk of heart disease. We have an ADA certified Diabetes Education specialist on staff trained to help you start your journey towards postponing or managing your diabetes. Each extra step is an extra step towards better health!
Conclusion
Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. We have doctors and staff trained to help you find your perfect starting point on your journey towards postponing or managing your diabetes.
Diabetes Walk/Run; 20 Furlongs (2.5 miles) for 20 years
Join us on Saturday May 7th at 8:30AM-11AM. Grunberger Diabetes Institute (GDI) will be hosting a Diabetes Walk/Run; 20 Furlongs for 20 years. We are celebrating 20 years of treating our patients with a 2.5 mile walk; join us while we get our steps in! See the details on our website. If you are interested, please make sure to sign up!
*Registration is required so we can accommodate everyone who is interested. Please email Ellen at edarnall@gdi-pc.com or click “going” on Facebook to register.
About Grunberger Diabetes Institute
Grunberger Diabetes Institute (GDI) provides Diabetes and Endocrine management, as well as a weight management program. Your wellbeing is assessed on an individual level and the treatment includes a plan for the improvement of your overall health and quality of life. We specialize in all things related to diabetes, endocrine, and weight management. This includes but isn’t limited to: diabetic neuropathy, dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetic recipes, reproductive endocrinology, osteoporosis treatment, male hypogonadism, hypercalcemia, all issues and diseases involving the thyroid gland (including thyroid cancer), patients transitioning from pediatric endocrinology to adult endocrinology, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Schedule with us today to find out why we’re voted the best Endocrinology practice.
