Exercise Safety Tips for People with Diabetes
No matter your age, ethnicity, or gender, everyone can benefit from regular exercise. That being said, exercise becomes even more necessary for people who have diabetes. For people with diabetes, exercise is a great way to keep your blood sugar levels in check, while strengthening the rest of your body.
Prevent injuries, dehydration, and hypoglycemia during your workout by always following these rules:
- Get your doctor’s approval. Before you hit the gym, talk to your doctor about certain exercises you should or shouldn’t do. He or she can also let you know if you’ll need to adjust your insulin, meals, or medications.
- Start slow. If you haven’t worked out in a while, don’t push yourself to do more than you’re capable of.
- Stretch before and after you exercise. Stretching and warming up before and after a workout is necessary for preventing injuries and staying limber throughout your workout. Leg and arm stretches, as well as a light jog, are great ways to get your body ready to exercise.
- Check your blood sugar. To be safe, you should check your blood sugar levels before and after a workout. If you’re exercising for more than an hour, you should take a quick break in the middle to check your insulin levels.
- Stay hydrated. Especially when working out in the summer, it’s important to stay replenish the water you’re losing through sweat.
- Pack a snack. Always have a snack nearby when you’re working out, in case your blood sugar drops too low. The best snacks to have during a workout are those packed with carbohydrates, like nuts, blueberries, apples, and whole wheat bread.
- Wear a medical ID tag. In case something were to happen, it’s always best to work out in a public location or with someone who is aware of the fact that you have diabetes You should also carry an identification or medical card that says you are diabetic on it, just in case.
If you suffer an injury while exercising, trust the orthopedic experts at OSG to get you on the road to recovery. As southern Connecticut’s largest and most experienced orthopedic practice, we can fix virtually every bone and joint in your body. Call us today at (203) 337-2600 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed specialists.