How to Exercise Safely If You’re Diabetic

One of the most frustrating things about living with diabetes is how it can make your efforts to fight it more difficult. And regular activity can help build stability, stabilize blood sugar, and maintain healthy circulation. While these are all great, you still need to use some caution. Today Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, is sharing his tips for exercising safely if you’re living with diabetes.

Schedule a consultation before beginning any activity. A doctor who knows your history with diabetes and any other conditions can provide the best advice regarding how to ease into an exercise regimen that doesn't elevate your risk of injury or cause other problems. On the other hand, they can also help you find the best way to enhance what you’re doing to enjoy the most benefits from it.

Take precautions before any activity. Any type of exercise should leave you feeling good and accomplished when you’re finished. Making some prep work part of your routine before working out can help. Some things to help prepare you include the following.

• Check your blood sugar before working out to ensure it’s in your target range. 
• Bring along at least 15 grams of carbs in case you experience low blood sugar. 
• Make sure you have plenty of hydration before and after your workout. 

Recognize the indications of low blood sugar. Any type of activity can cause some stress on its own, but you should still be on the watch for any symptoms that are out of the ordinary for your routine. You should immediately stop exercising if you feel weak, dizzy, confused, anxious, shaky, or sweaty more than usual.  

Examine your feet regularly. Monitoring your feet is a crucial part of any workout plan! The effects of diabetes can lead to injuries to the feet that are harder to heal, and because of nerve damage, you may not even feel the injury. Examine your feet before and after your exercise routine. Check for any cuts, blisters, sores, or anything else that doesn’t look normal.

When taking these precautions, exercise is going to boost your mood, health, and confidence. We want to help ensure that as little as possible gets in the way of your goals, especially when your ankles and feet are concerned.

If you have any questions about discomfort or pain in your lower limbs, or simply how you should go about best protecting your feet when exercising with diabetes, contact the office of Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, today at (425) 455-0936 to schedule an appointment for proper treatment.