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Exercise, eating, and testing - advice needed

Thommothebear

Thommothebear

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,186
Location
Kent
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was diagnosed about a month ago as type 2 having been prediabetic for about 5 years. I'm 56. My diet has mostly been low GI since I was told I was prediabetic. I'm on one slow release metformin 500mg once per day (with breakfast) at the moment. My first Hb1Ac was 61 last month and my current weekly average reading is 6.8 mmol, slightly down on the previous week - I'm currently testing twice per day, either before and after breakfast, or before and after lunch. I tend to get my highest readings first thing in the morning, before breakfast.

I've decided that my usual exercise is not enough due to dodgy knees slowing me down, so I have purchased a decent quality rowing machine to help me get my weight down and improve my cardiovascular fitness, Starting easy and doing 2km at a time for the moment, trying to keep my heart rate in the aerobic zone. It's not hurting my knees so I'm good with that and will build up to longer sessions carefully.

My question is - assuming it's best to exercise before breakfast or the evening meal is it also best to test before exercise, or after exercise but before eating. Also should I wait a while after exercise before testing? I don't know what the immediate effect of exercise is but I'm guessing it could raise glucose levels for a while .
 
Hi,
I'm not sure about Type 2 as I'm Type 1. I tend to test before and after exercising. 1) to make sure it's safe for me to exercise in the beginning i.e. no hypo/hypers and 2) following exercise to again make sure I've not gone too low. I usually test about an hour after exercising unless I feel hypo and I can test sooner. Hope this helps
 
Hi, I have found that when starting new exercises my bg is higher but as I get used to it over weeks it goes lower than usual, it's a bit eratic so tough to work out, anaerobic levels definatly push me high but aerobic is supposed to lower bg, lol I've re read this and confused myself so sorry this isn't much help, but excercise is always good far as I can tell so hey ho :)
 
Thought I'd give an update on this. I'm now happily working out on the rower in 2x20min sessions a day 4 days a week, usually 30 mins after a meal and at a rate which is within my aerobic zone. I've got a training plan from polarpersonaltrainer.com which I'll be starting on next week (now I'm happy that the exercise levels aren't going to kill me entirely). There will be four sessions a week, one short 25mins, two medium 45mins and one long 1h10mins, each with an appropriate set of zone changes. On the whole I am quite surprised that my level of fitness is as good as it is, I'm handling 20min sessions quite easily and the only limiting factor for me is the boredom rather than getting tired or twingy. Even my b@$&!ard knees seem OK with it.

I am seeing a good affect on BG levels on the days I exercise, but still spiking on the rest days which I suppose is understandable. Once I get where I want to be weightwise I'll step back to the 20min sessions after meals again, but every day. For some reason the weight loss has slowed despite my net calorie intake remaining at around 12-1400, however my waistline has shrunk so something is happening down there!
 
sounds like you are building muscle which is heavier than fat, measurements are as good as if not better than the scales, well done you :)
 
I guess that may be possible, but didn't think I was exercising hard enough to do that though, not felt any kind of muscle burn nor am I getting in the least bit pumped like I was when I used to train hard


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Well done, glad to hear your enjoying yourself and seeing some great results. Keep it up your doing well :D
 
Update - have now lost 14lb in weight, avg BG 7d 5.9, 14d 5.8, 30d 6.1

A slight increase in bg levels early this week which is down to work related stress I think.


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Well done! Don't worry, my sugars go up if I'm stressed as well. Keep postive though you're doing brilliantly
 
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