Why being active is so important to your health
Building a habit of regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health because:
- It's good for your heart.
- It helps you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- It helps control blood glucose levels.
What kind of exercise should I do, and how much should I exercise?
Type of exercise |
What it is |
Examples |
How much/how often? |
|---|---|---|---|
Aerobic exercise |
Activities that get your heart and lungs working |
Brisk walking, swimming, biking, dancing |
At least 150 minutes per week |
Resistance training |
Activities that build muscle strength |
Lifting weights, using resistance bands, using weight machines at the gym |
At least 2 sessions per week |
Plan ahead for exercise safety
What's most important is that you find ways to move more that you really enjoy and that you think you'll stick to on most days. Speak with your doctor before beginning a new fitness regimen, though: not all types of exercise are right for all people, and people with medical conditions, especially diabetes, must take special precautions.
Other safety considerations:
- If you aren't feeling well (e.g., you have a fever, cold, or flu), skip exercising for the day. Start again as soon as you feel better.
- Warm up before you do any exercises. Try walking and lightly pumping your arms first.
- Wear the right shoes for the activity or exercise you're doing.
- Drink lots of water while doing activities, unless your doctor has recommended you limit your fluid intake.
- If at any point you feel pain, stop. Exercise may cause a bit of discomfort or make you feel a little tired. But it should not be painful.
- Record your blood glucose before, during, and after exercise to note patterns and fluctuations and to plan for future exercise. This is especially important when you first begin a new fitness activity.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Reduce-Your-Type-2-Diabetes-Risk