Still confused about exercise

[SkinnyLiz]

Still confused about exercise - I get that more is needed, but when?
Supposedly my levels will be highest in the morning, at waking, so is leaping out of bed and touching toes etc the way to go?
Or exercise after meals is best, breakfast first? Surely that will that raise sugar levels further?
Current routine, wake, make tea, computer for 30-60mins then breakfast/exercise, or exercise/breakfast. Obviously need a change here, but no idea which way to go.

Have joined Health Walk group, making the Monday sessions, but not Thursday (transport prob) No other regular exercise atm, but lots of activity. Housemove planned soon, so lot of gardening, decorating and cleaning. Not sure this counts as exercise? Am seeing it as "activity"

edited for spelling

 

[Northerner]

lot of gardening, decorating and cleaning. Does this count as excercise?

That definitely counts as exercise - my levels drop lowest when gardening! 🙂 I think it's a good idea to exercise after eating - give it a little time to settle, then a bit of exercise increases your body's sensitivity to insulin, so you will get less of a post-meal 'spike' 🙂 If you can exercise regularly (a brisk, half-hour walk will do) then your body will naturally improve its insulin-sensitivity levels and improve your overall blood glucose levels 🙂 Do things you enjoy so it feels a pleasure, not a chore - you don't have to half-kill yourself in the gym if that's not your thing! :0 Walking, swimming, running - make it part of your daily routine. Perhaps set yourself some goals - not overwhelming ones, like I'll run a marathon in a years's time - something achieveable that you can then build on for further goals 🙂

 

[SkinnyLiz]

Pushing an electric lawnmower, or repotting, pruning etc, no heavy digging involved.

 

[Lanny]

That definitely counts as exercise - my levels drop lowest when gardening! 🙂 I think it's a good idea to exercise after eating - give it a little time to settle, then a bit of exercise increases your body's sensitivity to insulin, so you will get less of a post-meal 'spike' 🙂 If you can exercise regularly (a brisk, half-hour walk will do) then your body will naturally improve its insulin-sensitivity levels and improve your overall blood glucose levels 🙂 Do things you enjoy so it feels a pleasure, not a chore - you don't have to half-kill yourself in the gym if that's not your thing! :0 Walking, swimming, running - make it part of your daily routine. Perhaps set yourself some goals - not overwhelming ones, like I'll run a marathon in a years's time - something achieveable that you can then build on for further goals 🙂

Everyone's different, eh!🙄

I've tried it both ways, exercise before & after eating. It's works better for me before eating! Try both & see if there's any difference?😉

 

[missclb]

I'd say the answer is 'whenever you feel like it'. It's gonna be good for you whatever time of day it is. Personally I enjoy early morning workouts, it sets me up for the day. And as a T1, my levels are generally stable then – no food or active bolus in my system. My trend is definitely before food though, I've never liked exercising while digesting something. If you get the urge to get moving, then just get moving and enjoy!

 

[Matt Cycle]

If you can you do need to push yourself a bit and raise your heart rate e.g. faster walking. Ambling around is definitely better than sitting down doing nothing but in the grand scheme of things won't do a right lot. As Northerner says it helps if it's something you enjoy and can incorporate into your lifestyle.

 

[SkinnyLiz]

I'd say the answer is 'whenever you feel like it'. It's gonna be good for you whatever time of day it is. Personally I enjoy early morning workouts, it sets me up for the day. And as a T1, my levels are generally stable then – no food or active bolus in my system. My trend is definitely before food though, I've never liked exercising while digesting something. If you get the urge to get moving, then just get moving and enjoy!

If you can you do need to push yourself a bit and raise your heart rate e.g. faster walking. Ambling around is definitely better than sitting down doing nothing but in the grand scheme of things won't do a right lot. As Northerner says it helps if it's something you enjoy and can incorporate into your lifestyle.

 

[SkinnyLiz]

Not exactly ambling, trying to do more and faster, today deliberately "forgot" to get millk, so had to go out after dinner. Made it a 20 min brisk walk with some purpose to it.

 

[SkinnyLiz]

Everyone's different, eh!🙄

I've tried it both ways, exercise before & after eating. It's works better for me before eating! Try both & see if there's any difference?😉

Cant tell if there is a difference as not testing. Hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[AndBreathe]

Cant tell if there is a difference as not testing. Hope it doesn't come to that.

To be honest, SkinnyLiz, for me testing was a massive assistance to me in gaining control of my diabetes. Without it, I'd have been working hard, hoping I was doing OK, when I might have been making little difference to my wellbeing. By testing, I had immediate, real time feedback on my strategy which allowed me to flex and tweak as required.

For me, my most powerful weapon against my diabetes was my diet - what I ate and drank, allied with self testing.

As a believer that I can't outrun a poor diet, exercise was, for me, a bit of the icing on the cake.

I'd urge you consider rethinking your approach to self testing.

 

[WHT]

Still confused about exercise - I get that more is needed, but when?
Supposedly my levels will be highest in the morning, at waking, so is leaping out of bed and touching toes etc the way to go?
Or exercise after meals is best, breakfast first? Surely that will that raise sugar levels further?
Current routine, wake, make tea, computer for 30-60mins then breakfast/exercise, or exercise/breakfast. Obviously need a change here, but no idea which way to go.

Have joined the Health Walk group, making the Monday sessions, but not Thursday (transport prob) No other regular exercise atm, but lots of activity. House move planned soon, so a lot of gardening, decorating and cleaning. Not sure this counts as exercise? Am seeing it as "activity"

I go for a bike ride nearly every day apart from when it's poor weather. In addition to this, I've found doing some exercise with the Wii fit game console. Recently got a secondhand Wii balance board and Wii fit game. Covers jogging, hula hooping, ski jump, slalom, yoga, step aerobics. Might sound a bit bizarre as is a game but it is still 'exercising' and without the embarrassment of others watching in the privacy of your own home. The more movement you do the better. Exercise is anything that raises your heartbeat.

 

[Dave W]

Have joined Health Walk group, making the Monday sessions, but not Thursday (transport prob) No other regular excercise atm, but lots of activity. Housemove planned soon, so lot of gardening, decorating and cleaning. Not sure this counts as excercise? Am seeing it as "activity"

That "activity" all counts as exercise as opposed to being a couch potato. Every little helps with all sorts of your bodily 'wellbeing'. However there's much truth in the saying - "You can't outrun a bad diet,"
I do a lot of heavy gardening more or less all year round but I also try to fit in some fairly hard (for me at 72) cycle runs every week and I just fit the runs between meals.

 

[Hepato-pancreato]

Anyone use an exercise bike?
If so are they any good?
Need to purchase one as this is only exercise I could manage with my problems.

 

[Dave W]

Anyone use an exercise bike?
If so are they any good?
Need to purchase one as this is only exercise I could manage with my problems.

Yes, got one and I use it mainly in winter when weather is too bad for 'real' bike. Tends to be a boring, but I've got it near a window with a great view and listen to the radio while on it which helps keep me entertained. If you get one with a display that records 'miles' etc etc it helps provide you with targets and positve reinforcement for your efforts and to strive to do more.

 

[SkinnyLiz]

That "activity" all counts as exercise as opposed to being a couch potato. Every little helps with all sorts of your bodily 'wellbeing'. However there's much truth in the saying - "You can't outrun a bad diet,"
I do a lot of heavy gardening more or less all year round but I also try to fit in some fairly hard (for me at 72) cycle runs every week and I just fit the runs between meals.

hi Dave, thing am finding hardest, is diet seemed more or less ok, so cant make massive changes. Have cut carbs, added more protein, slightly more fat, and lot more exercise/ activity. Looking at buying a bike. Watch this space

 

[SkinnyLiz]

I go for a bike ride nearly every day apart from when it's poor weather. In addition to this, I've found doing some exercise with the Wii fit game console. Recently got a secondhand Wii balance board and Wii fit game. Covers jogging, hula hooping, ski jump, slalom, yoga, step aerobics. Might sound a bit bizarre as is a game but it is still 'exercising' and without the embarrassment of others watching in the privacy of your own home. The more movement you do the better. Exercise is anything that raises your heartbeat.

Like the idea of privacy while exercising, to the extent that the morning XBX programme is completed before other half gets up😉. Now managing 6 or 7 mornings a week and up to level 8. (target 11) Certainly makes my heart pump by the end.

 

[Hepato-pancreato]

Thanks Dave W. Will be investing in a good one I think, not the spinning kind though.
Will post progress when I get up and running ( in this case indoor cycling).

 

[grovesy]

I have one but got mine as Physio suggested following knee replacement. I do twice a day usually don't enjoy despite facing window and telly but I notice the benefit to my knee.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I'm not entirely sure you can simply say you can't outrun a bad diet, it's a bit like being chased by a bear.
You haven't got to outrun the bear, just outrun at the bloke at the back.

Exercise will build muscle.
Muscle will use glucose.
Using your muscles will decrease insulin resistance.
It's a virtuous circle.

When you do it isn't really important.
The muscles use glucose more effectively for a period ranging from hours to days afterwards.

And don't get hung up on testing.
Any changes you make can take weeks to settle down, so superfluous high or lows at random times can be expected.
Don't chase low readings, you may actually see a rise during exercise, or before, or after, as the body dumps glycogen to cope with it.
That's perfectly normal.

As to the type of exercise, I like to go to the gym, do a mix of work, and triple my resting heart rate for a period at least.
Slightly higher than recommended, but it seems to work best for me.
I also have an exercise bike that I use when I don't get to the gym.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Thanks Dave W. Will be investing in a good one I think, not the spinning kind though.
Will post progress when I get up and running ( in this case indoor cycling).

I don't use one but if you've got the cash you could try a turbo trainer/smart trainer and link it up with Zwift. May work with an exercise bike. Makes indoor pedalling look much more interesting. I know lots of people who use it. Here's a video from GCN from last year explaining it and I think Zwift keep issuing updates.