The best exercise for diabetes is simple: frequent! Exercising 3-5 times per week is going to help you stay healthy and manage your diabetes.

Let's look a little closer at diabetes and fitness.

Diabetes Basics

Diabetes is a common disease state among older adults. It can be defined as a body's weak response to insulin, which may limit the metabolism of carbohydrates, which will lead to higher blood sugar levels.

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.

In type 2, the body may not metabolize carbohydrates well. If type 2 diabetes goes untreated, it may turn into type 1.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas may produce little to no insulin. Someone with type 1 diabetes will need to take exogenous insulin to improve the body's response to sugar and regulate blood sugar levels.

This exogenous insulin will need to be injected multiple times throughout the day, and blood sugar will need to be closely monitored. Other treatments for diabetes would include a diet and exercise prescription.

Best Exercise for Diabetes

The thing about diabetes is that it can be prevented and reversed through healthy eating and exercise. Some of the risk factors for diabetes include being overweight, consuming high amounts of sugar, having high blood pressure, having a family history of diabetes, age, and race.

If someone has diabetes, they may not even realize it until they see their doctor. If symptoms do exist, they could be in the form of weight gain, low energy, blurred vision, and excessive urination.

One of the leading causes of diabetes in the first place is overloading the body with sugars, which causes limited sensitivity because of the continuous insulin activity.

If a diet lower in sugar especially added sugar like what is in soda and candy than diabetes may never come into effect or if someone already has diabetes than the symptoms could be reduced and diabetes could be eliminated entirely.

Prevent Diabetes with Exercise

Another way to reduce diabetes or prevent yourself by getting it is with frequent exercise. Exercise should be done 3-5 days per week and should vary from low-intensity training to high-intensity training.

Exercise, depending on the intensity, uses energy and can burn up some of the extra sugar that you are consuming.

The higher the intensity, the more sugar your body will be using up. Just low-intensity movement such as walking could aid in preventing diabetes, but more of it should be done if no high-intensity training is being done.

Also, if more high-intensity training is done, then you do not have to spend as much time during each training session.

Nutrient Timing and Diabetes

Nutrition timing can also be beneficial in aiding with diabetes.

If carbohydrates are consumed earlier in the day or before and after a training session, then they are more likely to be used instead of just turning into fat.

On the other hand, if sugar is consumed later in the day when you are less active and about to sleep, then the sugar will not be used up.

If you want more information, you can visit a state-sponsored website. Many state websites give information and guidelines on diabetes and how to prevent it or reduce it.

We're all about taking action on our information so if you'd like to get moving with the help of a professional coach, we're offering you a complimentary workout!

We'll schedule your session when you call (844) 704-9477 or by sharing your contact information so we can reach out to you! Looking for a program you can do right at home on your own, virtual training is the solution you've been looking for!

This article has been repurposed and published here with the permission of the author, Golden Home Fitness Coach Jake Freedman.