Physical Activity: Why Exercise?

Source: American Diabetes Association

Physical Activity: Why Exercise?

Increasing your physical activity is one of the most helpful things you can do for yourself, especially if you have diabetes. This doesn’t necessarily mean joining a health club and working out, but rather adding daily routines that can boost your activity level, from walking the dog to taking the stairs instead of the elevator. When you commit yourself to a regular 30-minute program five days a week, you can:

1. Increase your metabolism and muscle mass. Building and maintaining muscle mass means you burn extra calories and naturally increase your glucose uptake, which lowers blood glucose levels

2. Improve the body’s response to insulin

3. Help reduce or even eliminate your need for diabetes medication by lowering blood glucose levels

4. Boost your ability to lose weight effectively and keep it off

5. Lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure

6. Improve circulation

7. Reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke…the leading causes of death for people with diabetes