Workouts That Actually Help You Manage Diabetes

Having diabetes can sometimes feel overwhelming. But there are things you can do to stay in control, like exercising.

Regular physical activity improves your body’s sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that ushers sugar from the blood into the cells. This means exercise helps your insulin work better, which can help improve your blood sugar numbers. 

At East Side Primary Medical Care on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, our skilled and experienced primary care physician, Dr. Daniel Klein, specializes in diabetes and preventive health care. He knows the importance of exercise when it comes to managing diabetes.

Here, we want to share workouts that actually help you manage diabetes.

Walking, swimming, or biking

Aerobic exercise gets your heart pumping and blood moving. Adults should get about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week. Walking, swimming, and biking are examples of aerobic activities that are good for people with diabetes.

If 30 minutes is too much, start with 10 minutes a day and work your way up to 30. Or, do three 10-minute workouts throughout the day, such as a 10-minute morning walk, 10-minute stroll during your lunch break, and 10-minute walk after dinner. 

Quick at-home workouts 

If you struggle to find time to work out, fit in little bouts of exercise at home. You can do strengthening (crunches, pushups, lunges) or stretching exercises while watching TV. 

Cleaning counts as exercise too. Straighten up one room a day to get in your workout and keep your home tidy. Put on your favorite tunes or listen to an audiobook while cleaning to make it fun.

Mini workouts throughout the day

You don’t need to take classes or go to the gym to get a good workout. There are plenty of ways to move your body more throughout the day.

Get off the subway or bus one stop before your destination and walk the rest of the way. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or get up and walk for a couple of minutes once every hour. You can also pace while talking on the phone or use a standing desk when working and try marching in place.

Stretching and strengthening with yoga

Yoga is a physical and mental form of exercise that stretches and strengthens the body. It also reduces stress and may help improve blood sugar and blood pressure.

You may also find that mind-body exercise improves your sense of well-being. Yoga teaches you how to focus on what’s happening now, making you more mindful. 

Before starting a workout program to manage your diabetes, schedule an appointment with us. We can do a physical exam to assess your health, talk to you about exercise, and help you find activities that suit your fitness level and lifestyle. 

Are you ready to take control of your diabetes? We’re ready to help. Give our office a call today at 680-206-2794 or book an appointment to learn more about how we can help you.