Diabetes can be a tough thing to control. With the changes in diet, weight, and overall health, it can also be overwhelming. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests that diabetics exercise every day of the week because it can help manage your diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels, decreasing medications, or even coming completely off your medications.
Here are some tips that will help:
1). Exercise, Exercise, Exercise! Exercise can improve blood sugar control. The more exercise, the better. As stated before, ACSM guidelines suggest diabetics exercise every day of the week.
2). Monitor your blood sugar. Exercise affects blood sugar so be aware of signs and symptoms of 
hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) such as dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness. Always keep candy or a snack with you in case you start to experience any of these symptoms. It is good to check your blood sugar before and after exercise. Monitoring blood sugar and maintaining it in a good range will help reduce the risk of causing damage to your body.
3). Check your feet regularly. Because diabetes can damage the nerves in the feet causing decreased sensation of pain (neuropathy), you may be more prone to developing blisters or sores without realizing it. Be sure and check your feet often after exercise.
4). Maintain regular check-ups with your physician. They will be looking for emerging problems that may come from diabetes such as eye problems, kidney disease, or heart disease.
So if you have been having problems getting a handle on your diabetes, put these tips to use! Also, always be sure to follow any other instructions your physician gives you as they are continually keeping a close eye on your health. Hopefully these tips will help you get your diabetes under control instead of it controlling you!
About the Author
Wellness Trainer, Jessie Tanner, was born in Winder, GA and moved to Macon in 1991. She joined the Cantrell Center Team in 2006. When asked what she loves most about her job at the Cantrell Center, she responded, ” I enjoy being able to interact with wellness members. By getting to help them with their exercise goals and fitness routine, and also in getting to know them personally, it helps me to guide and direct them in the best way possible. To be able to play a small role in getting people healthy and/or maintaining a healthy lifestyle is of great joy to me.”
