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Weight training - insulin sensitivity increase?

P

pinewood

Well-Known Member
Messages
792
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm fairly active (run 5 to 10km about 3 times a week, swim, do light weights). Usually exercise doesn't have too much of an impact on my levels ... I'm a little more sensitive the next day but nothing I can't deal with by slightly decreasing my bolus doses.

However, 2 days ago I did a LesMills "BodyPump" class at my gym and used muscles I never even knew I had (!) ... definitely pushed myself too far and needless to say my whole body was aching the next day and still aches today. Coinciding with this has been constant hypos .... I seem to need glucose tabs every few hours to stay stable and have been pretty much getting away with no bolus.

Is this kind of increased insulin sensitivity normal following a particularly strenuous weight session? Will my insulin sensitivity start to return to "normal" as my muscles repair and the aches start to go?

I dropped my Lantus by 20% but I realise this takes a day or two to be noticeable and I should probably have dropped it the night BEFORE rather than the night AFTER the class.
 
Body pump affects my insulin sensitivity way more than running does, & it doesn't settle for about 24 hours afterwards as well. I've been doing body pump for years too so it's not a new exercise routine! I think it has something to do with the muscle demanding extra glucose to repair/replenish afterwards? Still fairly new to this but I've found that a light snack of 1-2 CP's (no bolus) before class and a decent meal afterwards (normal bolus) seems to help.
 
Thank you! I think I am slowly getting back to "normal" ... can't believe it's lasted 3+ days! It must be, as you say, my muscles demanding extra glucose and therefore reducing the need for active insulin. It's a shame but I think I will hesitate to go again to be honest, it's been such a pain working out ratios etc.
 
Yes, weights dramatically increases insulin sensivity. For a while. Then your body adapts. Every change in exercise routine has the same effect. Maybe you overdid it a bit too, but generally any increase in insulin sensitivity is a good thing.
 
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