Type 1 Blood sugar and swimming

[Geordie Girl]

Have just decided to try swimming again after a lapse of many years. I’m feeling quite nervous about my blood sugar as all I have been doing recently is walking and wanted to ask what would be a good starting point with BS. before a swim.Am probably not going to do that many lengths initially but I’d welcome any advice.

 

[Lakeslover]

Hi, I’m type 2, but swim regularly. Breast stroke, not fast but usually for 45 to 60 minutes each time. I find at my pace my blood sugars remain stable according to my libre.

 

[EllieM]

I always have my glucose right next to the pool and if I swim alone I tell the lifesaver on duty that I'm T1 on insulin. (I've never had an accident in the pool but it's best to be safe.) At water parks I find that I can go quite low quite quickly. (Like when I walk my dog but on steroids). If you're going for more than half an hour I'd consider getting out half way through just to test your bg. (I know this is drastic but it would tell you a lot for future reference.) On the other hand, if you have decent hypo awareness or a cgm, you can afford to be much more relaxed about it.

But everyone's reactions to insulin and exercise are so different that it is difficult to give specific advice. For instance, I am quite insulin resistant normally and this goes down dramatically when I swim, so I try to not swim too soon after insulin (or I take less insulin) but this may be different for others.

So my recommendations would be : test often (at least till you know how swimming effects you) and tell the lifeguard. And enjoy your swimming.

 

[Geordie Girl]

I always have my glucose right next to the pool and if I swim alone I tell the lifesaver on duty that I'm T1 on insulin. (I've never had an accident in the pool but it's best to be safe.) At water parks I find that I can go quite low quite quickly. (Like when I walk my dog but on steroids). If you're going for more than half an hour I'd consider getting out half way through just to test your bg. (I know this is drastic but it would tell you a lot for future reference.) On the other hand, if you have decent hypo awareness or a cgm, you can afford to be much more relaxed about it.

But everyone's reactions to insulin and exercise are so different that it is difficult to give specific advice. For instance, I am quite insulin resistant normally and this goes down dramatically when I swim, so I try to not swim too soon after insulin (or I take less insulin) but this may be different for others.

So my recommendations would be : test often (at least till you know how swimming effects you) and tell the lifeguard. And enjoy your swimming.

 

[Geordie Girl]

That makes sense ……thank you.
Just hope I can fit into my swimsuit from years ago!!

 

[Hertfordshiremum]

That makes sense ……thank you.
Just hope I can fit into my swimsuit from years ago!!

I so agree with Ellie, I would take a small juice as well as BG monitor. I personally can swim for 20 minutes, any longer and I start to drop quite quickly or I have to stop for 5 mins and have some juice. I find the water temperature makes a difference for me, even when walking if it’s cold I will drop a lot more than normal, so it depends if temperature normally effects you. But we are all different. A great exercise, enjoy!