How to Control Diabetes with Diet and Physical Activity
A change in lifestyle will impact greatly on your life and will help you to control your diabetes or be diabetes free. There is always some bonus when we do the right thing. A more active lifestyle will help our blood glucose readings to be reduced, we will gain tighter, leaner muscles and we may even lose weight after awhile. I must discourage you from embracing the notion of physical activity and diabetes, as they are enemies.
If you are serious about controlling your diabetes or becoming diabetic free, you must include exercise as a part of your weekly routine, to ensure that diabetes will get uncomfortable in your “home.” This is but a few of the things we could gain from becoming more active.
The Journey Begins
I will take this opportunity to share with you some of the things I do to ensure that I become more active. Let me tell you the truth. I have to make an effort to exercise. It is one of the most difficult things for me to do. I, however, had to work on changing my attitude first. When one is overweight, there are other issues to deal with each and every day. The desire to be active is usually weak. I know this all too well and for this reason, I am prepared to encourage you to make the move.
Cleaning the Car, is it that Easy?
I overcame this by forcing myself to do more around the house and the yard on a daily basis. I started washing/cleaning the car myself. This was not easy at first, especially since I had someone doing it for years. I made a decision to save that money and benefit from the exercise of doing it myself. Now, I am saving money from washing the car myself and I am also feeling fitter every day. It is not difficult to do. Just be determined to live longer, healthier and happier. Tell yourself that you will live a miserable rest of your life if you don’t, and, trust me, you will.
It is not difficult to do. Just be determined to live longer, healthier and happier. Just tell yourself that you may go to an early grave if you don’t, and, trust me, you will. Think of some of the complications you may have to live with if you fail to control your diabetes: Issues with your eyes, losing hands and feet, kidney problems and liver failure to name a few. Remember, this does not have to be the situation. All you have to do is change your lifestyle. All you have to do is eat whole foods and exercise.
Raking the Yard, Does this Count?
In my book, raking the yard counts. You see, if you were mostly inactive, then any movements will count in the beginning until you are stronger and can do other forms of activities. The idea now is for you to get your limbs and muscles working. We were created to move and it becomes a dangerous, life threatening situation when we fail to move.
Once outside, you will begin to enjoy and appreciate nature, your mind will become free and you may even gain some muscles. One thing is for sure, you will have a grateful heart.
Yes, go and get the rake. It is a perfectly good idea. I did, and, so can you.
More House Cleaning, Say What?
A doctor once told me that housekeeping did not count. What he failed to realize at the time is that I was finding it difficult to be active and so for me at the time, any movement was good. Today I have no regrets. This was the beginning of a new and healthier me. Any activity will help. I am not encouraging you to ignore your doctor, but please listen more to your body.
As is customary, I have to remind you that diabetics must exercise caution and remember that moderation is the key.
Maybe you can’t do it all at once. No one is pressuring you to do it all at once. Clean 2 rooms and rest, then you clean another 2. Yes, that will work too. At least you are moving. Remember, I am documenting my experiences to motivate and encourage others facing diabetes and those smart enough who are attempting to prevent diabetes.
Now, I don’t see house cleaning as a chore. I changed the way I think. I changed my attitude. Now, I see house cleaning as a part of my weekly routine to get and stay fit. Now, I see house cleaning as part of my routine to be active. Now, I see the cleaning of the house as one of my “diabetic medication.” I do not pay for this medication and the side effects are just great. Can you say this about your diabetic medication?
Some of the side effects I get from being more active are;
- A boost in my energy level
- Better mood
- Lower cholesterol
- Fun
- Sleep and more sleep. This is like no other sleep.
- Lower heart rate
- Feeling fitter and stronger
- The ability to move faster and be generally more active
In-Home Exercise Programs
If you are new to exercising, or maybe have not done it for awhile, allow me to introduce you to my favorite exercise. There is no stress to go outdoors or wait for your friends to join you. The weather will not matter and you can do as little as a mile (approximately 18 minutes) and work your way up as you become fitter.
This in-home exercise program is the Leslie Sansone, Walk At Home Videos. I am still tempted to say “tapes,” because I have been using them from they were video tapes. They are filmed indoors with a group of persons doing four basic exercise movements: walk, knee lift, kick back and kick forward. They are simple to follow and get very intense, the higher you go. If you want to do 5 miles, that is possible too.
I had issues exercising with my friends. The commitment was a major problem. They would turn up today and tomorrow and maybe for an entire week some of them would be missing in action. This was frustrating for me and unfortunately, at that time, I didi not have the “get up and go alone spirit.” Needless to say, I paid the price healthwise. It was sometime in this era, that my sister introduced me to the Leslie Sansone Tapes and I have been using them ever since. I had some stops along the way, but I am more committed today.
I am inviting you to change your lifestyle. Start eating whole foods and make a commitment to be more active. I share my own journey just so you will see that is is doable and if I am more active today, and I now you can too.
I remember some time back, not wearing the proper footwear when I was exercising. The pain I felt afterward made exercising the following day a “no, no.” I knew I needed proper shoes, but I thought I could be careful. Well, that did not work. Let me encourage you to invest in the proper footwear to ensure that you remain injury-free. There is no point in becoming diabetic-free with torn tendons. Makes no sense.
Using a Treadmill
A treadmill is another great way to stay in shape without going outdoors. I understand very well, that diabetics are oftentimes tired and so going outdoors to exercise can be a royal pain. I am not encouraging you to stay locked away indoors for the rest of your life. I, however, believe that if you kickstart your energy boost with some indoor activities, then the outdoors will be more attractive to you in the near future.
It’s only a suggestion, so, if you feel like going outdoors now and you know you have the energy, please go ahead. I am proud of you. My aim is for you to make the move. Yes, I need you to become more active because this will ensure that you live a healthier and happier life, with either controlled diabetes or no diabetes.
What do you have to lose?
The treadmill is a good way to exercise. I used it for years and hope to replace mine one of these days. Once again, you are able to move at your own pace. If you want to go it slow today and moderate tomorrow, the option is yours. Another plus with the treadmill is that it will not be affected by the weather conditions. “Whether the rain falls or the sun shines,” you are free to exercise. Buying a treadmill will be a good investment. Be sure to invest in something durable. This way your money will be well spent. The right investment means that you will have a treadmill for years. At least, that was my experience.
When all is Said and Done
The bottom line though is I am encouraging you to invest in a treadmill whenever you can. Remember, you are on your way to being a healthier and happier you with all the whole foods you have been eating. The fact that you are staying away from food that is heavily processed means that the healing process has begun and you have a bit more energy than you did when we started this journey.
You will soon be spending less money on medication and medical fees. Save this money to invest in simple equipment you can use at home when you are not able to go outdoors. Again, this is my journey which I am hoping will encourage you. I am not a doctor, but I have diabetes and it is controlled and I am expecting that I will be off all my medication in time.
What if you can’t afford a treadmill now? THEN,
- Walk on the spot
- Jog on the spot
- Take the dog for a walk
- Play soccer/football with the children
- Clean the house
- Rake the leaves in the yard
- Park the car at the end of the parking lot and walk the rest of the way
- Take the stairs and leave the elevator whenever you can
- Clean the car
- Walk with Leslie Sansone or any other walk at home DVD’s that you may like
Get up and make the move to control/eliminate your diabetes through necessary lifestyle changes. Having embraced eating unprocessed foods, make this next move. Physical activity is a must. Come, I know you can do this too. Make the move.
Continue reading here: Health Benefits of Peanut-Is it Good for Diabetics?
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