Let's Get Physical

There are really only two requirements when it comes to exercise.  One is that you do it.  The other is that you continue to do it. ~ The New Glucose Revolution for Diabetes by Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster-Powell, Stephen Colagiuri, Alan W. Barclay

       So after endless meals at the dining hall and weekends consisting of waking up far part noon to barely sneak in a shower before heading out again, you've probably started to feel like the textbook definition of a lazy ass (I know I'm not the only one).  Changing your diet will help some, but the only way to gain a complete revival of those energy levels is some good old fashioned exercise.

      Every college has at least a few exercise machines available to its students.  Take advantage of them! When else in your life will you have access to a free gym membership? Yet I do understand that having these machines at your advantage doesn't necessarily mean you'll automatically gain the motivation to use them.

       For those readers who are diabetic themselves, you probably already know the importance of exercise in terms of managing your blood sugars.  The effects of exercise on glucose levels are similar to those of insulin, making exercise another effective tool to use in terms of management.  Exercise helps enhance glucose's uptake to cells and counteracts high sugar levels often seen after eating.  In time, a frequent exercise routine will help reduce the amount of insulin needed daily, helping prevent insulin insensitivity from occurring.

      Be sure to test your blood sugar immediately before and after exercising, as well as a couple hours after.  If your sugar levels are low before exercise, correct appropriately by taking the proper amount of glucose.  However, if your sugars are too high, do not exercise until they come down as exercise will block the insulin's ability to bring these sugars down and can lead to ketoacidosis.

       Once you're ready to begin your new exercise regime, start by setting up an schedule that won't be too demanding.  Be honest with yourself--are you really going to wake up at 6:30 to run two miles before your 9 am class? I didn't think so. You don't need to plan to fit some exercise in every day either.  For those whose previous main form of exercise was a walk around the mall (aka me), planning to go down to the gym every other day is plenty.

      Yet say there's a night when its either too cold, too dark, or you're just too tired to walk down to your school's gym, but still want to feel good about getting some exercise in.  Fortunately, online resources and tools provided by the Internet will help you.  My favorite indoor workout is Pilates: you don't have to run or sweat too much, but still feel like you're really working out.  YouTube and iTunes are home to a wide selection of videos for a small routine.  Below is one of my favorites:

      While technology is a great tool to use to plan out exercise routines, working out with a group of friends is even better.  Staying inside and interacting with a computer screen is much less rewarding than interacting with others in person.  We often end up tethered to electronics and miss out on the experiences and friendships that are occurring in the present.  So take a break from the texting, IMing, and Facebooking to focus on your body and clear your mind.

Now go hit the gym!