Controlling diabetes is a continuing process. In doing so, the consistency and discipline could be compared to that of a shop owner. Shop owners have to open their shop every day, manage the store on a consistent basis throughout the day and respond to customers. The net result of those efforts is a flourishing business.
The same goes for managing your diabetes. Those who are diagnosed must follow their medication regimen everyday, manage their diet and exercise as well as listen to their doctor and body about changes in their health and respond appropriately. By maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, testing your blood sugar regularly and following your medication schedule, you can begin to control your Type 2 Diabetes.
According to WebMD, a survey of diabetes patients revealed what they found to be the biggest challenges of the disease.
- 41% of the patients find losing weight and following regular exercise regimen the toughest challenge.
- 28% of the patients find controlling blood sugar a tough challenge.
- 15% surveyed said understanding the effects of diet on blood sugar is most challenging.
- 5% of patients stated managing the medication is hardest.
The most needed, yet toughest to follow, diabetes management tool is exercise.
Exercise can help control weight and therefore lower blood sugar levels, risk of heart disease and insulin resistance.
Together with diabetes medication, exercise dramatically impacts your quality of life.
Weight loss is hard work, but not impossible. A little bit of math goes into it, as well.
- Weight gain: When the energy you get from food (x) exceeds the energy you use (Y), x > y
- No change in weight: The energy you get from food (x) equals the energy you use (Y), x = y
- Weight loss: The energy you get from food (x) less than the energy you use (Y), x < y weight loss
Before starting an exercise regimen, check with your doctor and review these cautions:
- Check your blood sugar before and after exercising.
- Wear diabetes shoes and socks.
- Check your feet for blisters and sores before and after exercising.
- Drink a lot of fluid before, during and after exercise.
- Have a healthy snack handy in case your blood sugar becomes too low.
Daily diabetes control takes a lot of effort, exercise being on of the most important and often most difficult points to maintain. If starting an exercise regimen is difficult, consider Diabetain®, a pharmacist-formulated diabetes supplement used to increase energy, giving you the opportunity to exercise more. Contact us for more information on Diabetain® and how you can better manage your Type 2 Diabetes.