Getting Started

Before you start a new exercise program, talk to your doctor about how and when to exercise. Some types of exercise can be harmful if your diabetes is causing other problems, such as problems with your feet. Your doctor can tell you what types of exercise are good choices for you.

Here are some general safety tips.

• Take steps to avoid blood glucose (sugar) problems.
  • Check your blood glucose before and after you exercise.
  • Ask your doctor what blood glucose range is safe for you when you exercise.
  • If you take medicine or insulin that lowers blood glucose, check your blood glucose before you exercise.
  • If your blood glucose is less than 5.5 mmol/L, you may need to eat a carbohydrate snack first.
  • Be careful when you exercise if your blood glucose is too high. Make sure to drink plenty of water.
• Try to exercise at about the same time each day.

  This may help keep your blood glucose steady. If you want to exercise more, slowly increase how hard or long you exercise.

• Have someone with you when you exercise.

  Or exercise at a gym. You may need help if your blood glucose drops too low.

• Keep some glucose tablets or quick-sugar food with you.

  You may get symptoms of low blood glucose during exercise or up to 24 hours later.

• Use proper footwear and the right equipment.
• Pay attention to your body.

  If you are used to exercising and notice that you cannot do as much as usual, talk to your doctor.

Things you should know about blood glucose levels

Ask your doctor if your medicine affects your blood glucose and how often you need to check your blood glucose when you exercise.

Watch for low blood glucose

Some diabetes medicines can cause low-blood glucose emergencies. Check with your diabetes care provider if you take this type of medicine. If you take insulin, check your blood glucose before you exercise. If your blood glucose is less than 5.5 mmol/L, you may need to eat a carbohydrate snack first.

You may get symptoms of low blood glucose during exercise or up to 24 hours later. Some symptoms of low blood glucose, such as sweating, can be confused with what can happen anytime you exercise. So it is a good idea to check your blood glucose during exercise.

Check your blood glucose more often if you exercise longer or harder than usual.

Watch for high blood glucose

If your blood glucose is high (for example, over 16.7 mmol/L) and:^{footnote 1}

• You have moderate to large amounts of ketones, don't exercise.
• You do not have ketones, exercise with caution.