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Cycling and diabetes

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Charliewatch

Charliewatch

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Is there anybody out there who does a bit of cycling and has diabetes maybe raced or still races with the condition in their late 50s thanks.
 
I've just turned 50 and cycling is my main means of transport. I do 35 miles a week just on my commute to work, and I can do a whole week's food shop on my bike. I never race - I'm built for comfort, not speed! Why are you asking?
 
Hi Charliewatch, welcome to the forum 🙂 We do have members who cycle for sport - maybe not in their 50s yet, but I see no reason why your age should be a barrier. I don't cycle, but I do run and am looking forward to running a marathon in 2014, and I have just turned 55 🙂 Do you have any particular problems? It might be worth having a look at http://www.runsweet.com/ which covers diabetes and various sports.
 
Wow thanks for reading my message and replying l am experiencing what l think is poor foot circulation cold feet all the time l am worried l might lose my toes or feet by cycling in real cold weather am l risking damaging my foot nervous system ps l am down to see the GP cheers for listening.
 
I am type 2 with no meds and don't have the worry about going into a hypo but I was struggling physically on my 59th birthday, finding it hard to walk from the hotel to the car in the car park when on holiday. Within the year and with not much more than 2 x 15 mins training per day, I can walk for 3 or 4 hours.

Cycling on a turbo trainer however, has now made major improvements to my BG levels. It's good because it is low impact on the joints yet exercises the major lower large muscle groups, ups the heart rate and drops the BG levels. At nearly 60, I find maintaining a steady speed which suits me is better than attempting keep up with people cycling in the real world. Plus I am not going to over do it and end up stranded miles from home. If you are contemplating getting getting back into competitive cycling but have some nagging doubts, get a cheap turbo trainer from ebay first and see how it goes in the comfort of your own home. It also has the advantage that you can use a cheap bike.
 
Have you been diagnosed long Charlie? I suffer from cold feet also, but there again, I did before I was diagnosed! My feet are regularly checked and my circulation is good, so it's just one of those things for me. My feet can get VERY cold when out running in cold weather, but they warm up again and I have no problems. There may be special thermal socks you can get which will help keep the worst of the cold out.

Apart from that, cycling will do you the world of good and really help with your cardio-vascular system, your circulation and your insulin sensitivity ::
 
Thanks mate for the message l was diet and exercise for years then went onto 1 metaformin a day when they spotted "changes" in the back of my eyes l go on my bike most days when its nice.Just you going to the trouble to reply and saying that you experienced cold feet reassured me abit thanks again Charlie
 
Charliewatch said:
Wow thanks for reading my message and replying l am experiencing what l think is poor foot circulation cold feet all the time l am worried l might lose my toes or feet by cycling in real cold weather am l risking damaging my foot nervous system ps l am down to see the GP cheers for listening.
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Lots of cyclists train indoors in the winter. It is sometimes referred to as the turbo season and is an industry in itself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcxq-fGN30w
 
Charliewatch said:
Thanks mate for the message l was diet and exercise for years then went onto 1 metaformin a day when they spotted "changes" in the back of my eyes l go on my bike most days when its nice.Just you going to the trouble to reply and saying that you experienced cold feet reassured me abit thanks again Charlie
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If the changes were just background changes then it's not something you need to worry about unduly, as it can come and go. Good that your doctor is on the ball though and giving you a little help with medication. You are on a very low dose of metformin though, so clearly you are managing your diabetes pretty well 🙂 I'll change your profile to Type 2 as it may lead other members to assume you are on insulin (which all Type 1s are, and some, but not all Type 2s).
 
this is my first time on a forum so sorry if l break any posting rules please forgive me,
 
Charliewatch said:
Whats the difference between a junior member and a senior member?
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Its all to do with the number of posts a member writes.Im not sure but think after 100 you go senior may be 50 cant be certain
 
Junior member is less than 30 posts, Member is 30-99 posts and Senior Member is more than 100 posts 🙂
 
Charliewatch said:
Thanks mate for the message l was diet and exercise for years then went onto 1 metaformin a day when they spotted "changes" in the back of my eyes l go on my bike most days when its nice.Just you going to the trouble to reply and saying that you experienced cold feet reassured me abit thanks again Charlie
Click to expand...

What is the diet part of your diet and exercise regime like? I'm not one for very low carb diets but cyclists usually eat huge amounts of carbs so you could still be eating lots of carbs whilst thinking you are not eating as much as you were before and therefore you are cutting back and should be ok.

The effect of exercise on the blood chemistry has a limit. The maximum effect is achieved already at 1500 - 2000 KCal per week, evenly spread over a week. The hormones released through exercise which reduce de novo lipogenesis and plasma vldl peak 12 hours after exercise and tail off dramatically after 24 hours, so a daily routine is best. As far as the effect on your blood lipids is concerned, there is no benefit after say 2000 KCals per week, although there are beneficial effects as far as cardio vascular fitness, general fitness and weight control are concerned. It is however important not to get into the habit of thinking that exercise will counter the effects of all foods, especially not for a diabetic. You still have to watch the highly refined carbs and not over do the more complex carbs.
 
Northerner said:
Junior member is less than 30 posts, Member is 30-99 posts and Senior Member is more than 100 posts 🙂
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and, if I remember correctly, more than 36, 850 qualifies you as a "Little miss chatterbox" and more than 50,000 makes you an Admin.

I think?!

Andy 😉
 
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