[Blackbeard]

I googled to find out why my blood sugar spikes so much after exercising and ended up at this site. It seemed to be a very informative site with intelligent people subscribed, so I joined (not because I felt intelligent after joining ).

I expect I will learn a lot here. I'm a little worried, now, with the current state of my diabetes as my testing used to top out at 120, and now 160 is the norm. Seems like my pills are not doing their job anymore.

Anyway, hope I make some nice friends here and that I don't iritate too many folks with my sometime way-too-long ramblings.

[rayrontgen]

Hi Blackbeard and welcome to the forums. I have only been a member for two weeks but I have already read lots of helpful things. I am starting to review my diet for one thing.
I am afraid I can't really help with your exercise question. I find that exercise makes my levels go down. However, I am sure that someone with greater knowledge of the subject than me will be able to help you.
Best wishes
RR

[princesslinda]

Welcome Blackbeard! Glad you found the forums. What type meds are you currently taking for your diabetes? Do you test often? Do you watch your carb intake? Its not unusual for meds to have to be adjusted (up or down) as time passes.

As for your exercise question, I notice that my blood sugars are a little up immediately after exercising (even just walking on the treadmill), but have found that they do normalize as I cool down. Also, I notice that the next mornings fastings are lower the next morning...an added benefit.

Not sure what type or how strenuously you are exercising, but the intensity probably causes the rise during and just after.

[notme]

Welcome to Diabetes Forums Blackbeard! Glad you googled and found us! Your right, there are many informed people here that are willing to help you get back on track.

Welcome!!

[cyberus]

Originally Posted by Blackbeard

and that I don't iritate too many folks with my sometime way-too-long ramblings.

Don't worry .. most hard core BBSers are speed readers

Welcome!

[shutterbug]

Welcome to DF. My BS go up a bit right after exercise. As Linda mentioned, it goes back to normal after few minutes. From what I read here in the past, its common. People have suggested having a small snack just before exercising. This is because, when you exercise, you BS level goes down and our friendly liver dumps more sugar in you blood stream to keep you going. Try some snack before exercise and see if that helps.

[jillrapp]

Hey Blackbeard, Welcome to the DF!

My BS goes up quite a lot whenever I hit the weights or really hit it hard when doing any kind of excercise. Even strenuous yard work will bring up my levels for an hour or so. Nice thing is, for the latter part of the day I stay lower than normal!

How long since you've been diagnosed? Most end up needing a change in medications at some point as your Diabetes progresses. I started with just metformin and graduated recently to insulin twice a day along with the Met. Made all the difference and I feel GREAT!

Good Luck and Welcome!

[Blackbeard]

Thanks all for the responses and welcome greetings.

I use Metformin 500 mg twice a day since I was diagnosed close to two years ago. My doctor was following my cholesterol problem and noticed my diabetes onset, so it was caught quickly. For a long time, I stayed stable, but now it bounces all over the place.

I took the advice of some of the threads in other forums here, and ate a salad before starting my weekly yardwork. I have about 3 acres I mow and some weekends I must use a push mower due to the dampness because I bag all of the clippings. Happy to say (although not that great) my levels were around 165. Much better than the 250+ without the pre-workout meal.

I'm kinda old - 57 years old and overweight. So I've started watching more closely what I eat, mostly for the weight reduction benefits, but I'm also now paying more attention to the calories, fat, and carbs. I just bought the Calorie King book yesterday.

I don't know how the admins here feel about off-site referrals, but I found a real good food journal site that I use. It has a lot of the Walmart brand foods I tend to like listed plus about any other thing I've tried to find. And it's free - livestrong.com. Slap my hand if that was a no-no and I'll edit this and not do it again.

Ok, like I said, I get real breezy some times with my posts. Sorry and I'll end this one now.

Thanks

[matingara]

hi!!!

i have found that reducing carbs is the single biggest input into stabilizing blood sugars (for me).

please tell us how many and what sort of carbs you eat.



-- Joel.

[bookwormy]

Hi. I am relatively new myself - since April. My numbers were up after exercising so I eat a small protein before I go. Also, when you eat salad add a protein because I found veggies all have some carbs - some fewer than others.
I have learned lots from this site.
Welcome aboard.
Barb

[Blackbeard]

bookwormy,

Can you give me an idea about what sort of food you eat to provide your protein? My wife has suggested those peanut butter and cheese nabs, but the sodium is a little high.

Since I'm just beginning my monitoring of carb intake, I really don't have a real good idea of what I've been eating. I was amazed, so far, at the sodium I've been consuming, so that'll be my first major concern. My doctor seems to think it has a bearing on my weight, which has an effect on my diabetes. Funny how everything seems to affect this disease! I'll also monitor my immediate intake of the calorie/fat/carb levels and change these on the fly. Finding a decent diet of foods that are low in all of the above will be an ongoing challenge.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

[matingara]

i would suggest looking for the diet book by Dr. Richard Bernstein.

IMHO, if you count carbs and limit them then the rest takes care of itself. Fat and protein seem to be self limiting.

Reducing carbs also has reduced/eliminated my between meal hunger.

So, i watch the carb intake and nothing else. Sodium, fat, calories, protein etc all take care of themselves.



-- Joel.

[BrianSCohen]

Originally Posted by Blackbeard

bookwormy,

Can you give me an idea about what sort of food you eat to provide your protein? My wife has suggested those peanut butter and cheese nabs, but the sodium is a little high.

Since I'm just beginning my monitoring of carb intake, I really don't have a real good idea of what I've been eating. I was amazed, so far, at the sodium I've been consuming, so that'll be my first major concern. My doctor seems to think it has a bearing on my weight, which has an effect on my diabetes. Funny how everything seems to affect this disease! I'll also monitor my immediate intake of the calorie/fat/carb levels and change these on the fly. Finding a decent diet of foods that are low in all of the above will be an ongoing challenge.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

Blackbeard,

Welcome to the forums. You are on to something. I have been following a very low carb diet with lots of protein. Diabetes is often correlated with weight gain, the elevated insulin causes your body to accumulate fat. Sodium can cause transient retention of water, but I really don't think it causes weight gain. Low carb should really help get your diabetes in check and enable you to take off a few extra pounds.

The protein thing. Here are some suggestions. Whey protein shakes. Costco stocks a six pound bag of powdered shake for a great price. Each shake contains 25g of protein, a bit of fat and virtually no carbs. Other important sources of protein. Meat (of course), eggs, fish (especially tuna), and cottage cheese. Each of these items contains minimal carbs.

Let us know how it goes.