• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Exercise getting me down now!

Bon83

Well-Known Member
Messages
292
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I shouldve been over the moon finishing a ten mile trail run and I was happy but it was slightly tarnished by a blood sugar merry go round that went on. I thought I had a plan but it all went to pot really. I am reading all I can read on this and practicing different methods but today I feel drained by it all. Just fancied a moan really and I am sorry. I worked hard to get used to a short period of exercise like an hour or so but going 2 to 3 hours just seems to be impossible to manage. Plus when you're out and about with other people I get very anxious about hypos and I know I over compensate. Also I feel self conscious getting blood monitoring stuff out etc. Does anybody else?
 
Hi can't really comment on how u can make things better but just to say due to a few bad hypos in the past I feel exactly the same as you so afraid of hypos in public that I often test like mad or over compensate and often exclude group type exercises for this exact reason just to say ur not alone, chin up
 
Thanks for the support it is good to know I'm not alone I know I should put it behind me, realise I was strong for finishing the run and move on. I think I only really got through it because my friend was there. I keep telling myself others struggle with starting a new fitness journey and sometimes this works and I feel ok. Today I went full wowe is me diabetic.
 
You did great pulling through! It's also totally alright to moan about it every now and then, it's a good way of getting all the bad things out and focusing on a fresh start.

As for testing in public, that's something everyone has to figure out for themselves. When I'm with people I know I typically announce I need to test/inject (checking for needle/blood phobias) and they're fine with it, which makes it easier to do. With strangers I try to be more discreet, but I generally don't shy away from it. I'm mostly bothered by the fact that testing equipment is such a hassle when you have no space to put anything on (I have this problem in stores usually).

The bottom line I keep thinking about is: this is our health. This is our life. We gotta do what we gotta do to be healthy and if anyone is upset about that, @#&% them. They're not us, and as long as they're not us who gives a rat's ass what they think of us testing and injecting?

Do what you have to do. You have the right to be healthy and take care of yourself!
 
On this lovely sunny Sunday morning things seem different. After my emotional moment yesterday after a long run I can view things a bit more rationally. I know where I went wrong, i am relaying this here in case it provides any ideas for others. My bg was too high at the start of the run subsequently the adrenaline steep hill and excitement pushed it sky high. I decided not to take on extra carbs as I was so high (which meant I fatigued a bit), after about an hour it started to fall - my glycogen stores gone I was using blood glucose. I felt this fall believe me and panicked I probably wasn't 'low' but I have an almost irrational fear of going low. I took on extra glucose but felt fatigued and finished the run at a fair level of bg. I think need to start run at good sugar level (7 to 10 I believe) and follow a carb replacement plan. It's hard to time all this as on an organised event you have to travel and set off when they tell you
even if you are diabetic. It's also quite hard to distinguish fatigue or normal hunger from a low does anyone else think so.
 
Hi @Bon83 I'm T2 so I don't have to test in public, and I don't get hypos. I do exercise by walking. I do go through periods of just not feeling up to doing anything, especially when it is grey and gloomy outside. But I try to make sure I do at least 10k steps each day, by making it part of a routine, walking 5k steps to Mass every morning, then 5k steps to buy food for evening meal in the late afternoon. When it's bright and sunny I can walk 20-30k steps.
I don't go in for exercise with other people, just walking on my own.
It's good to hear you are feeling better today, but I suggest if you do feel unenthusiastic about taking part in a competitive event, in future, you just give it a miss and do what you feel comfortable with on your own.
 
If you exercise a lot, it may be worthwhile considering a pump. Exercise was the main justification for getting mine. The ability to change my bolus during and after exercise have been a God send.
Within a couple of months of getting the pump, I was able to lift twice as heavy weights without my BG going sky high and tiring me out as well as climbing much harder routes for longer and cycling up harder hills.
 
Thanks for the heads up, I was apprehensive at first but I have heard positive feedback. The consultant mentioned it when I was diagnosed as I said I was active. But local hospital keep cancelling consultant appointment and I don't know who else to ask. But I will get on it!
 
I was the same as you: apprehensive at first: but it has proven great. And, if you don't get on with a pump, you can go back to pens.
Just want to correct myself from above: the pump allows me to vary my BASAL. Though I'd better get in before someone else does
 
I am willing to give pretty much anything a go! I have spent forever testing loads and guessing what to do for insulin and food for different activities etc. Then I still get a random high stage or random lows for things I thought I had down? Apparently this cab be menstrual cycle weather changes ie arrival of summer. It's incomprehensible really. But aerobic activity going into 2 hours or more is proving quite complicated.
 
Ask about a pump hun when you do see specialist. I know last year they were covering junior drs on strike so behind on some of their appointments. At least that's what I thought, anyway.
 
Hey ! I completely get where you are coming from... I used to swim 13-16 hours a week... really the best thing is trial and error and what works for you might be really different from someone else ! I have no experience about running as you can probably tell I'm a water baby but have you looked at a website called runsweet.com ... because this is a diabetes guide to different sport and might give you some ideas ! Keep going it takes practise but if it makes you feel any better after 8 years I can now do 2x2 hour hard swim sessions a day and my diabetes is ok keep going you'll get there ! Also with the testing stuff... I've found as I've grown up loads of people think it's iPhones etc... but also most people just don't notice !
 
Thanks for the positive message I am feeling a lot better. I think I have been overly critical on myself really. It was my first go at a trail run and I hadn't run for that long before so with more trial and error as we all say I'm sure it will get better
 
Well done on completing the ten mile trail run @Bon83!
I have been running to control my diabetes since late January, although I'm off it at the moment due to injury.
It's really interesting to read the effects you are finding on the longer duration. I've not done anything that long yet, and probably won't for some time now.
I suppose its all about learning how to deal with different situations and how they effect us.
 
Well done on starting with running!
 
i bought a wii three years ago and i love it. I do the boxing, running, stepping and all in my own home, i especially love the boxing. Ray Winstone yelling 'put your back in it!!!!I test in public. After all i am a T1 and why should i be ashamed of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…