Activity / Exercise
Exercising regularly is a great way to stay healthy, keep fit and control your weight. When you have type 1 diabetes, there’s a couple of extra steps you will need to take to exercise safely. Exercise affects your blood glucose levels so a general rule to follow is to test and record your blood glucose levels before, during and after exercise. This can help you work out how much carbohydrate to eat and how much insulin to take.
When you have type 2 diabetes, the impact of exercise on your diabetes and general health can be huge. Eating better and becoming more active can help control your diabetes and in some cases allow you to reduce, or even come off medication altogether. Some types of medication (such as insulin and drugs like gliclazide) can make you more likely to have a hypo (lower blood glucose level) during exercise, so if you’re thinking about becoming more active, speak to your GP or diabetes care team first to make sure you can do so safely.
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Elevate Arena, promoting activity and healthy lifestyles
This page discusses physical activity and exercise.
This resource explains how exercise and physical activity affects your blood glucose and what you should bear in mind before you start exercising.
A site that aims to help people with diabetes using insulin to feel comfortable with taking up exercise – covers the basic rules for most people living with diabetes.
There are many ways busy mums and dads, families, young people, office workers and older adults can build physical activity into their lives. Being physically active is easier than you think, especially if you make activity part of your daily routine.
A site for people with diabetes with a focus on sport, providing information on diabetes and sport as well as other diabetic issues.
