Newly Diagnosed: Type 1. Tips and Tricks for exercise and diet.

[Matt28]

Hi all, I'm Matt,

Unfortunately I was diagnosed type 1 diabetic 6 weeks ago and am still finding my feet with everything.

Before my diagnosis, I lived a pretty active lifestyle, but not so much at the moment as still learning how my glucose levels react to different types and intensities of exercise.

Any tips and tricks related to managing sugar levels and/or diet in relation to exercise e.g. swimming, cycling and hiking would be much appreciated as would really like to get back into some of these activities .

Thanks,
Matt.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Matt28

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis with T1 diabetes. It can be a bit overwhelming in the early weeks and months, but you’ll soon settle into a bit of a rhythm with things, and stuff that you have to think about in a very ‘front of mind’ way right now will soon fade more into the background, and become almost automatic.

Of course then there will be the fun and frolicks of chasing the ever moving goalposts as your diabetes gleefully ebbs and flows and changes the rules of the game on a whim. As long as you can keep a lid on aiming for perfection every time, and learn to ‘expect the unexpected’ and keep looking for patterns in whatever is happening at any one point in time you’ll do great.

www.runsweet.com used to be a great source of information about T1D and exercise, though I’m not sure it is being actively maintained any longer.

There is www.extod.org which was emerging from some of Rob Andrew’s and Parth Narendran’s research which might be worth a look, as might the exercise modules in the DTN Libre education.

Flash Glucose Monitoring | The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists

abcd.care

Speaking of which… have you been offered Libre 2 yet?

 

[Becky22]

Hi Matt,

I was diagnosed earlier in the year and was concerned about exercise too.

For fairly intensive exercise, I make sure I haven’t got very much fast acting on board as exercise increases the sensitivity of insulin and I’m likely to crash. So I either exercise four hours after eating (and injecting), or I eat normally but take a third of the insulin, or I just have a couple of biscuits and don’t inject at all. You’ll find what works best for you I’m sure!

For low intensity exercise like walking, I don’t do anything that different really.

The most important thing is to carry enough glucose with you at all times! Having a libre is useful too for detecting upcoming lows. I have knocked mine off whilst exercising a few times which is frustrating, but I’m getting better at not doing that!

And whilst you are getting used to it, it’s possibly a good idea to let someone know where you are going if you are exercising on your own.

Hope this helps!

Becky

 

[SB2015]

Over the years I have gradually found what works for different types and intensity of exercise. I was surprised at the start how simply a 20 min walk into town would send me hypo. For me I had to adjust my insulin at the meal before exercising and found it easiest to exercise soon after my meal. Everyone is different and as you identified @Matt28 it is a case of finding out what works for you.

In the early days you are likely to be in the honeymoon period. During this time the beta cells that you have left, as the injections will have given them a rest, they decide to chuck out some insulin without any warning. Just have your hypo treatment at the ready wherever you are, and focus on overall patterns to make decisions, and don’t worry (although you need to treat) odd blips.

Keep the questions coming and let us know how you get on.

 

[Matt28]

Welcome to the forum @Matt28

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis with T1 diabetes. It can be a bit overwhelming in the early weeks and months, but you’ll soon settle into a bit of a rhythm with things, and stuff that you have to think about in a very ‘front of mind’ way right now will soon fade more into the background, and become almost automatic.

Of course then there will be the fun and frolicks of chasing the ever moving goalposts as your diabetes gleefully ebbs and flows and changes the rules of the game on a whim. As long as you can keep a lid on aiming for perfection every time, and learn to ‘expect the unexpected’ and keep looking for patterns in whatever is happening at any one point in time you’ll do great.

www.runsweet.com used to be a great source of information about T1D and exercise, though I’m not sure it is being actively maintained any longer.

There is www.extod.org which was emerging from some of Rob Andrew’s and Parth Narendran’s research which might be worth a look, as might the exercise modules in the DTN Libre education.

Flash Glucose Monitoring | The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists

abcd.care

Speaking of which… have you been offered Libre 2 yet?

Hi, thanks for your great advice so far...much appreciated! I'm starting to get used to this new life style bit by bit, still have hard days but overall seems to be getting a little easier . Yes I now also have the Libre 2 sensor and its great! Makes life so much simpler especially while at work.

 

[Matt28]

Hi Matt,

I was diagnosed earlier in the year and was concerned about exercise too.

For fairly intensive exercise, I make sure I haven’t got very much fast acting on board as exercise increases the sensitivity of insulin and I’m likely to crash. So I either exercise four hours after eating (and injecting), or I eat normally but take a third of the insulin, or I just have a couple of biscuits and don’t inject at all. You’ll find what works best for you I’m sure!

For low intensity exercise like walking, I don’t do anything that different really.

The most important thing is to carry enough glucose with you at all times! Having a libre is useful too for detecting upcoming lows. I have knocked mine off whilst exercising a few times which is frustrating, but I’m getting better at not doing that!

And whilst you are getting used to it, it’s possibly a good idea to let someone know where you are going if you are exercising on your own.

Hope this helps!

Becky

Hi Becky, thanks for your advice so far, still having off days here and there but over all things seem to be leveling out a little which is great. Havnt tried any intense exercise beyond cycling round the city yet but will take on board your suggestions and of course always have a glucose packed snack handy for any dips in sugar levels.

Also using a libre 2 sensor now as well and it's great...especially while at work as makes managing my sugar levels so much easier!

And yes I always let someone know if I'm planning on exercising alone .