Why Type 2 Diabetics Should Exercise

A lack of exercise can result in increased weight, higher blood pressure, higher stress levels and higher levels of bad cholesterol to name a few.

The problem for the type 2 diabetic is that the sufferer is more at risk from cardiovascular disease than the non diabetic. This is why it’s so important to exercise regularly.

It’s a fact that many diabetics are obese, and therefore worry about the possibility of being seen in the local gym. In fact, it is not necessary to go to a gym at all. Walking as little as an extra 20 minutes every day has been shown to help considerably.

I bought a local large scale ordnance survey map and planned a route that measured 2 miles. I find that I can walk this is about 45 minutes and I generally do it before work in the morning. My wife takes a train every morning to work which again is a 2 mile round trip.

After 2 months, I started to find that I was feeling much better, my stress levels were down and so is my weight!

If you are an animal lover, now may be the time to get that dog you always wanted. Be careful though, they are a 10-20 year commitment, but if you do get one, you have no choice but to walk, so you no longer have to rely on willpower alone!

Before you exercise, be careful if you have any of the following conditions:

Diabetic Eye Conditions

Eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, are conditions that require you to avoid certain types of exercise. Anything that increases pressure to the eyes or blood are not to be undertaken, or exercise that results in head jerks, boxing for example.

Nephropathy (Kidney Disease).

You need to be careful with kidney disease, or neuropathy as it is called. An increase in blood pressure, particularly when doing hard exercise for long periods, should not be allowed.

Clogging of the Arteries, or PAD.

Peripheral Arterial Disease is a clogging of the arteries, and affects diabetics and non diabetics alike. However, diabetics are far more likely to contract PAD than non diabetics. It generally comes on quicker in diabetics, manifesting itself as a pain in the legs when walking. Eventually, no pulse can be found in the feet.

The result is pain in the legs after walking a certain distance. The way to exercise with this condition is to walk a distance just short of the distance at which pain begins and rest. Then having rested walk the same distance again, and then rest again. Keep repeating this process.

Do not fear, walking regularly stimulates the growth of more blood veins in your legs, and over time you will find that you can walk further and further.

Toby was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic over 2 years ago. He is determined to stay active, and assist others with his own experiences of the disease. He also has diverse interests, visit his latest website about ryobi 18v battery at http://www.ryobi 18v battery.net

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