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

What exercise gives the BEST BG results yet is gentle?

mogzilian

Well-Known Member
Messages
64
Location
Hownslow
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi

I'm wondering what everyone thinks or knows produces the best results for lowering BG?

I see a lot of people are keen on cycling and I totally get that. I think the bigger the muscle used the more it uses energy, the more it burns sugar... Thigh, calf & bum muscles used in cycling are the biggest in the body so that would make sense. What do people think?

If not cycling, what are the exercises that give the best results? They don't have to be gentle, but gentle is good..!

Thank you!
 
Weight Training is also great for long term insulin sensitivity improvement. Whilst when you are doing it you get a stress spike in bg levels, over the long term it is excellent for managing levels more efficiently.
 
Aerobic plus resistance training is considered best for type-2
 
maria111979 said:
Aerobic plus resistance training is considered best for type-2
Click to expand...
I agree with @maria111979, above. a couple of cost effective things help me are an app on my phone which lets me know when I have reached my walking target and some cheap resistance exercise bands.

I have also this week asked my GP to be referred for a gym course. She did the paperwork and now just waiting to be contacted by the gym.
 
Rowing is the exercise using most energy after cross country skiing.
And both are training both legs and upper body.
Rowing in a real boat also has the advantage that you can bring along as many of your supplies you might need (glucose/drinks/meter/... ;o) and you can do it as hard as you feel like and take a break whenever you want. Its also a low impact kind of sport, so limited risk of spraining ankles/knees or similar.
 
Not quite as energetic as the real cross country skiing but I actually have one of these. We bought it around 20 years ago and as it is mechanical rather than electrical it still works fine. When I was first diagnosed with T1,it came out of storage and I started using it everyday gradually increasing time and speed. It was great and I was in a safe place when my levels dropped rapidly. (also did Pilates with a video for strength and flexibility) . I later turned to running . I still use the machine in winter though and it's certainly it's kinder on the knees than running.
 
For me, walking and weight/resistance training. Obviously walking is quite gentle, depending on where and how fast you walk. Weight training is harder but reduces your insulin requirements quite fast., which is a good thing. I use My Fitness Pal to track my exercise (I don't bother with the food part) because generally simply recording an activity provides motivation.
 
Walking produces great results, nice and gentle and you can go at your own pace.
 

How are you with swimming @mogzilian? - Not ploughing up and down the lanes necessarily, but gentle swimming? Did you read this article?http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...esults-tough-six-week-swimming-challenge.html
Take a look at the stats and they are very impressive - improved aerobic fitness, increased muscle (which will lower BGs on average) Fat loss (improving any insulin resistance).
Gentle swimming should keep BGs steady (or lower them) during the swim and long term should give you some excellent health benefits. All with less risk of sore muscles.
 

I'm a bit big for swimming - I get self-conscious in a swimsuit... maybe in the future! X
 
copepod said:
Similarly, cycling doesn't have to be Tour de France speeds. Can be gentle. Added environmental benefit if cycling replaces a car journey.
Click to expand...

Totally! I like cycling. Roads are a bit dangerous in London though...
 
Walking is a great exercise .....it is the weather at times that is not
 
mogzilian said:
I'm a bit big for swimming - I get self-conscious in a swimsuit... maybe in the future! X
Click to expand...
You should track down @Pipp if you haven't already found her. She's awesome and a great fan of swimming - she might help you pluck up the courage to take a dip no matter what shape you are. Have courage girl!
 
mogzilian said:
Totally! I like cycling. Roads are a bit dangerous in London though...
Click to expand...
Lots of bike paths, though, many completely separate from roads eg canal towpaths, particularly in north and west parts. Not sure where in London you live. Well worth obtaining specialist maps from TfL [I collected a virtually full set when volunteering at London Olympics in 2012] or using London Cycling Campaign route planning / mapping and members' knowledge - http://lcc.org.uk/
 
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.…