[PhoxOne]

I need help finding an exercise I like.

(a bit of background)
Recently I went on a pump. My A1C dropped around aprox .6 when only having the pump for one month. Before I had the pump, I was constantly high, around 300. Now when I'm 300 I really feel it, and it doesn't feel good. I know I'm doing much better than before, my sugar is in range most of the time and I'm expecting a good A1C.

However, I think that with exercise, I could make it even better. Recently, I've got addicted to quite a few computer games and forums etc. And I spend way too much time on my laptop.

I've tried various exercises but none of them really appeal to me. I like football, but I can't join a team, nor do I really want to. None of my friends really like it. The only exercise I ever get is running around the neighborhood with my friends playing games, but this is usually only once a week.

I've now been looking for something to get me more exercise than walking (I do that a bit too) but something I can handle, or at least work my way up.

I ride my bike around to most places, but I never do it "For Exercise" because I'm never motivated.

Anyway, I'm just wondering, do you guys have any ideas for things that could help me get motivated to walk/ride bike MORE... or have any random exercise programs that could help me out? Any unique sports or something?

I appreciate any help I can get... I want to take my life off of this laptop (in a sense).

Thanks! (I'll let you know my A1C next time I go in)

[notme]

All I can do is tell you what I like and see if it appeals to you. I love to rollerblade and I like kayaking. Kayaks are not expensive and you can get one used on Craigslist very reasonably. Shooting hoops can be fun and if you play like I do, you do a lot of ball chasing. I love bike riding, dog walking and geocaching. If you have never checked out geocaching, then go to geocaching.com and check it out. It is a high tech treasure hunt using a very inexpensive portable GPS device. You can get one for under $100.00.

[davef]

I started walking after I was diagnosed, but I hate it, I don't mind the physical side of walking I just find it boring - even if I'm plugged into my iPod.

I recently rediscovered Golf and find I'm loving it.

[Stuboy]

hey,

What about Ice Skating?

Laura and I started ice skating about a year ago, we take lessons and we go usually between 2 or 3 times a week. It's really great exercise and fun! We must get about 4 to 5 hours in a week.

It's not really something a lot of people consider, But in my opinion it's great fun, and can be challenging too if you take lessons and learn to skate properly!

Just an idea!

[Scratch]

How about taking up the sport of caber tossing?

[Ronin]

Hi Phoxone!

Chosing an "exercise" that is sustainable for a lifetime is difficult, particularly when you are a teenager.

The first thing you have to decide is: do you want to be in a competitive sport? If so, your choices, due to your pump, are limited. If you don't want to be competitive then the options are greater.

The next thing to consider is: what do you like to do that involves physical motion of your body? Among those things what do you think you like the most down to what you like the least.

Finally, you don't need to settle in on a single form of exercise/activity either. Some of us, like me, do settle in for a single basic activity, but you can mix it up with a combination of indoor and outdoor activities that might have you cycling one day, hiking the next, in the gym with weights another day, playing tennis or some other sport on a different day. The key to effective exercise is to find something that is lifetime sustainable.

At my age I know a lot of my friends from my High School days who used to be the super-jocks that are now just old fat couch potatoes. Why? They were in sports that that they could not sustain for a lifetime. I have to admit that I had my time as an inactive adult and I grew to a very unhealthy 235 pounds with minimal activity until I woke up and relized that I loved bicycling and i could do it again and I did not have to compete with anybody. The rest, as they say, is history. My wife and I ride a tandem and now can pass some of the local 20 and 30-somethings on our local daily rides. We don't even try to match our speed with the local professionals who also train on the same roads. Oh yes, I'm down to a slim 155 pounds (albeit my skin no longer fits) and in better shape than I was when I was in my teens.

[volleyball]

Maybe a part time job that is very physical will suit you. And you get paid to do it instead of paying to do it.
As far as pleasure activities, look around you. You want something that you can afford plus be close enough to to do several times a week.
Maybe the local dance studio will let you in for free

[PhoxOne]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Hi Phoxone!

Chosing an "exercise" that is sustainable for a lifetime is difficult, particularly when you are a teenager.

The first thing you have to decide is: do you want to be in a competitive sport? If so, your choices, due to your pump, are limited. If you don't want to be competitive then the options are greater.

The next thing to consider is: what do you like to do that involves physical motion of your body? Among those things what do you think you like the most down to what you like the least.

Finally, you don't need to settle in on a single form of exercise/activity either. Some of us, like me, do settle in for a single basic activity, but you can mix it up with a combination of indoor and outdoor activities that might have you cycling one day, hiking the next, in the gym with weights another day, playing tennis or some other sport on a different day. The key to effective exercise is to find something that is lifetime sustainable.

At my age I know a lot of my friends from my High School days who used to be the super-jocks that are now just old fat couch potatoes. Why? They were in sports that that they could not sustain for a lifetime. I have to admit that I had my time as an inactive adult and I grew to a very unhealthy 235 pounds with minimal activity until I woke up and relized that I loved bicycling and i could do it again and I did not have to compete with anybody. The rest, as they say, is history. My wife and I ride a tandem and now can pass some of the local 20 and 30-somethings on our local daily rides. We don't even try to match our speed with the local professionals who also train on the same roads. Oh yes, I'm down to a slim 155 pounds (albeit my skin no longer fits) and in better shape than I was when I was in my teens.

First off thanks to everybody who has posted,

Secondly to Ronin,

That advice has helped quite a lot! It's clearer in my mind now.

I don't really want to do anything competitive. I think bicycling is fun, except I have nothing to motivate me to get up in the morning and actually do it. I take walks with my friends every once in a while just to chat.

I really love racquetball, but I don't have anybody that I can go with on a regular basis, and playing alone doesn't work much. I do have a membership at the local rec center, so I can go anytime.

I think I'll try to do bicycling a bit more, maybe I'll find that it is more fun than I thought, and maybe the "fun" will motivate me.

Thanks for all the help everyone, and I'll continue to look around

PS: School starts in three days, at least that will get me moving a tad more than at home.. I hope

[BrianSCohen]

Phox,

I really think it would be great for you to exercise. It will help your general health and improve your diabetic control. You do need to keep your blood sugar under tight control, being at 300 for extended time will cause problems. You should be careful exercising when over 200, just walk and do light aerobic exercises until you get your blood sugar down. Diet will really help you get your blood sugars better control, perhaps you should concentrate on a low carb diet. Give it some thought.

The key is to find exercise activities that you enjoy. What you might consider is enrolling in some local classes at the gym or the rec center. Ask your parents to help, this is about your health. Why don't you experiment with some of the classes? Perhaps some Tae Kwan Do? Some weightlifting?

[LittleMaxi]

Sorry to chime in so late on this thread, but you said you are into video games, get yourself hooked up with the Wii (Fit), or get a stationary bike and set it up infront of your TV, play all the video games you want, as long as you are properly elevating your heart rate to burn fat, then you are not being held back by someone else or if the weather is bad, you can still get your workout in...
Just get moving Phoxone, the rest will take care of itself...

[buttons]

I do T-tapp when I am able ( five herninated discs so my back can give me fits)

any way , let me tell ya about t-tapp. A lady in florida by the name of teresa came up with is exercise program.... you can order dvds or cassets... but

the best thing is , you can google t-tapp and see the program... also she has a page of examples that you can view before you would buy.

There is one exercise that is called a hoe down... which actually lowers your BS practically on the spot.. the exercises dont take long , some you can even do sitting down ... take a look see and try ...

oh and the ladies that take orders over the phone are very nice and helpful..... this is not a commerical for t-tapp.... it is just what I do... I hate to exercise ...even walking hurts most of the time.... and I can do this.... best luck x0x0x