Fitness

 Stay Motivated

Physical activity is essential for everyone's health and well-being. But for people with diabetes, regular exercise is especially important because working out boosts overall fitness while reducing blood glucose levels.

And it doesn't have to be a marathon to make a difference. You can spend hours at the gym, but just as important are those hours of gardening, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and strolling around the block after dinner, that help keep your diabetes in control.

Even if you haven't been very active, you can still enjoy the advantages of getting moving more regularly. If you learn to make exercise a habit -- a fun habit -- your body will enjoy an amazing number of benefits.

Physical activity can

• Lower blood glucose (blood sugar)
  
• Help insulin work better
  
• Strengthen your heart, muscles, and bones
  
• Maintain and increase joint flexibility, balance and endurance
  
• Help you reach your target weight and maintain it
  
• Reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke
  
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
  
• Improve blood circulation
  
• Help you feel better about yourself (physically and mentally)
  
• Relieve stress

Ideally, adults 18 and over should get 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days per week. Even if the 30 minutes is divided into smaller time periods during the day (for example, three separate 10-15 minutes of brisk walking), the health benefits are still significant.

• Main Types of Exercise (December 2004)
  
• Beginning an Exercise Program (January 2005)
  
• Setting Goals (February 2005)
  
• Fitness Walking and Stretching the Lower Leg (March 2005)
  
• Stationary Cycling and Exercise for the Upper Leg (April 2005)

Fitness Resources

• www.Fitness.gov - Promoting physical activity as a critical part of being healthy
  
• www.ACEFitness.org - Try "Get Fit America" and other programs to help you get moving
  
• www.Diabetes.org - The American Diabetes Association offers information and programs like "ClubPed" to help you start and maintain a walking program, while offering rewards
  
• www.Diabetes-Exercise.org - LifeScan sponsors the Prize for Athletic Achievement through the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association (DESA)