Type 2 Exercise

[rckowal]

I would appreciate hearing from other type 2 (non-insulin) diabetics about their exercise programs - like type, duration, when, etc. Also, what is their medication regimen?

[buddy2]

I'm type 2, using 3 differnt medications to keep numbers down. Find exercise was the key. Used to believe aerobic exercise was best so I jogged slowly for about twenty minutes. Worked moderately well. Then ran across something in a book which suggested anaerobic was better. In other words, exericise that causes you to get breathless fast. Lifting heavy weights would be good except it can't be maintained. so i began running faster for shorter periods of time. That is about 4 min, walk for a minute, 4 min, walk for a minute or two, 4 minute, then walking til i recovered (about 5 minutes). When I ran I ran moderately fast, not a sprint because I couldn't maintain that for 4 minutes. I did theabove twice. Once after breakfast, once after dinner, so I was running approximately the same time. But the difference was dramatic. Numbers in the morning 100-115, even when my diet wasn't that great. Let me know if this helps. this is my first post, so i really don't know what i'm doing in this site. :(

[rckowal]

Hi Buddy2, Thanks for the reply, it's appreciated. And yes, your post was helpful.

So, if I understand correctly, your exercise program is to run (maybe jog speed?) for three 4 minute periods; seperated by one to two minute walk, then walking for about 5 minutes to recover. This is done both after lunch & after dinner. Is that right?

At my age, I am unable to sprint, or even run for that matter - so fast walking on a cross trainer treadmill (arms pumping ski poles + the walking belt) works better for me. Additionally, I'm still recovering from some major surgery which, temporarily at least, limits what I can do. It sounds like the key though is anaerobic rather than aerobic exercise.

My morning numbers are usually low as well (105 - 125) but my glucose level ramps up to nearly 145 - 150 before lunch, even though I don't eat a breakfast. I'm also type 2. I use two meds; Avandia & Prandin. I find that if I can level out that morning ramp-up, I do much better all day long.

[buddy2]

Hi, Rckowal.

Yea, I noticed exercise worked better when I pushed it a little and got breathless for a short period. I was jogging slowly, barely faster than walking and, as i said, it was working only moderately well. I'll keep you posted, I'm 60, by the way, so i'm not going to be able to run forever. Or maybe i will, who knows?

[liz32]

rckowal,
I'm also a type two diabetic. I take metformin and inject lantus in the evening. I find that a good brisk walk will bring my numbers well into control. Some people find that they only see results from excersice until the next day. Any excersice is better than nothing. The reason you morning sugars might be climbing is because you've skipped breakfast. When you skip meals your liver starts to crank out sugar to compensate for the missed meal. You would be doing your body a favour by eating regular meals including breakfast. It was one of my biggest challenges to being diagnosed diabetic. I hated eating regularly especially breakfast. I hope I'm not sounding preachy. Anyways hope this is of some help. :whistling

[rckowal]

I wish I was still 60 - I'm 71. Actually, when I'm in good fitness I can run for a short time. Did so on last cardiac stress test in February for about 5 minutes.

Before surgery (2 months ago now) I was exercising similar to your regimen but more like a fast/brisk walking speed on cross trainor. At Doctors (pre-surgery) orders I was up to 2 - 3 miles per day. It was working very well & I was keeping my glucose under real tight control with just a few pills per day.

After surgery (1/3rd of a lung removed), I could only walk very slowly for the first month or so. This weak exercise usually raised my glucose rather than lowering it. Also forced me to quadruple my meds which still didn't provide tight control of glucose.

[rckowal]

Hi Liz32, Thanks for the reply.

I know that eating breakfast is supposed to reduce morning glucose ramp-up. When I eat a light breakfast my glucose really spikes upward (over 200).

However, there are other ways to "skin that fish". I've just learned that taking a very light dose of Prandin (0.5MG) mid-morning almost eliminates the ramp-up. In my case, I haven't eaten breakfast regularly for more than 50 years. At two meals per day my weight stays where it should & I don't miss the third meal.

[liz32]

rckowal,
If you're 71 and able to run 2-3 miles, kuddos to you! You definately have my admiration! Hopefully your recovery will be quick in coming and that you will feel great soon. I can imagine that you really want to get out and take in the fresh air. Good luck in getting those morning sugars down, if I've come to realize anything about this disease is that every body does a different thing. Hopefully you will find something that works. Take care

[rckowal]

Liz32,

If I RAN 2-3 miles non-stop I'd be in cardiac arrest. Actually I brisk walked the 2-3 miles at a speed of about 2 miles per hour - according to the speedometer on my treadmill. It was broken up into several segments of about 1/2 hour each.

I have already recovered to about 90% of what I was before surgery. I'm out doing gardening, cutting my lawn, walking our dogs, etc. However, my stamina/endurance is not yet fully restored - which is why I want to get with some rigorous exercise again. Otherwise I feel great & am back to doing all the usual things which don't require lots of exertion.

I have also learned that managing diabetes is a personal thing. What works for one person may not work for another. Thanks & good luck with your regimen & may the Gods of tight glucose control be by your side!