question for you walkers...

[Diabetic-Canada]

Hi All, I have a question for all you walkers out there. I know that many of you walk every morning. And I wouldn't mind starting this, but I am just recently new to insulin, and so now have the added concern of the dreaded low.

So...my question to you is:

Do you walk before or after taking insulin? And do you walk before or after eating breakfast?

[UCOChick]

I walk after breakfast, which is usually only 15 carbs, then after my walk, I check my sugar but rarely need to take insulin

[nantomsuethom]

We walk after dinner. Thomas usually takes his pump off or turns it off when we walk. If we walk more than 2 miles he will usually need a snack after walking.

[HeatherP]

I used to walk in the evenings, before dinner.

When I was on NPH I always ck'd my b/s before and after walking, and eat a snack w/ some protein and around 10g carbs.

I haven't excercised much since being on Lantus, and your concerns are something I've been thinking about. I expect that I'll most likely reduce my insulin intake as I get into better shape and I'm going to just experiment when it comes to snacking and avoiding lows.

If you have a CDE, that's probably your best bet for advice on the subject. Otherwise, you may just have to test more often and try a few things before you find the right combo for you.

HeatherP

[JasonSmithMT]

For most people on insulin it is best to exercise after the morning dose and breakfast. Usually about 1 hour afterwards is recommended. You already have the DP working against you in the morning excerscising without breakfast and insulin can cause even more havoc. Work with your physician and/or CDE to determine the schedule that will work best for you and your dosing regiment.

Jason

[dthogan]

Originally posted by Diabetic-Canada
Hi All, I have a question for all you walkers out there. I know that many of you walk every morning. And I wouldn't mind starting this, but I am just recently new to insulin, and so now have the added concern of the dreaded low.

So...my question to you is:

Do you walk before or after taking insulin? And do you walk before or after eating breakfast?

I'm type 2 so I can not relate to the insulin and while I was taking metformin was in no real danger of low sugar, BUT even so I always carry glucose tabs with me when I walk in a Key case I carry and I clearly marked it with a paint stick as such.

When I first started walking regularly it was tuff! But it got better with each day.

I walk 1 mile in the morning before any food at all to get into my fat stores, something a type 1 would have to be careful about I would suspect.

Then I walk 3 to 5 miles each evening at our community walking track about an hour after the dinner meal. When I was on metformin this would always take my bg down to between 75 and 85 but since stopping the met it is usually around 95 to 105 after the walk.

And when I walk I MOVE walking at least a 4mph pace. When it rains I walk on a treadmill or airbike but I prefer the outdoors and now my entire family walks with me and it has made for a great family time.

It's just hard to beat walking, it clears the mind, gets you in touch with nature, and I have made it a NECESSARY part of my life much like eating and breathing. I will walk the hotel parking lots if I travel or the corridors if necessary, but one way or the other I walk and am thankful I can.

Good Luck!