Which sport?

[Faerie]

Hi. I need some advice. I REALLY need to start exercising BUT I'm extremely shy about doing these kinds of things in front of people. SOOOO, any ideas about what kind of exercise I could do? :vroam:

[HeatherP]

Personally, I prefer walking although I know some people find it dull. But it works for me! I walk 3 miles a day in 60 minutes.

[TvBabe]

I'm a walker too....throw my walkman on, grab my water bottle and I'm out the door. I was doing 5miles a day but recently had a sinus infection and I haven't fully recovered so only doing 3 miles a day recently.

[birds_eye]

hey Faerie, are there any sports that you like doing? how bout joining a club, like a squash club? or run/walk for life? i hope you find something, it's lekker once you get in to it!

[Catie and Emily]

I just keep up with my high school sports like track and softball and such, then my other sports like gymnastics outside of school which keeps me in shape cuz im always at one sport a day!

Catie

[DeusXM]

If you're shy about exercising in front of people, then walking or jogging is probably a good way to start, or you could do cardio work at the gym. If you want to liven up your walking, you could take up golf - you'll be walking around a lot and it won't feel quite so pointless.

What I would recommend for any form of exercise is to pick something with a competative edge to it - I'm a great believer in not doing exercise but in playing sport. That way you keep up the motivation to do it, and it ends up occupying the space in your brain you store 'things that are fun' as opposed to 'things that are work'.

However, if you are still shy, there are plenty of aerobics videos you can exercise to in the privacy of your own home.

[Eri's mom]

The walking and aerobics videos are good...

My youngest does Tae Kwon Do...Eri USED to and is actually considering it again...
She was in volleyball at school, and the coaches wanted her to join at her middle school this coming year, but w/ having broke both arms(buckle fractures I believe they were)...her arms get sore/weak easily.

Swimming is a GREAT exercise...I can't get my kids out of the pool...and it always keeps Eri's readings in PERFECT range!!!

Also, treadmills or the stationary bikes are good as well...my husband just got one for Eri(I guess I MAY be included in that!!!)...and she loves it.

[klpants]

Hi Faerie

If you're shy the best thing to do is something either in your home or a space where you don't have to worry about other people. You don't want the shyness getting in the way of a good workout and the benefits you will see to your diabetes control.

Videos have been suggested a few times or if you're not short on money hire a trainer to visit at your home, I don't know how readily available trainers are in Africa??

Or I would suggest doing something with a friend, this could help you with the shyness.

Once you start exercisign your confidence will probably start to build and you will eventually (I think) try other things.

Try to do a sport/exercise that keeps your heartrate up (jogging, aerobics, power walking etc, etc), this kind of exercise is best for diabetes as will make you more sensitive to your insulin. But try to test your blood sugars often as well.

Good luck!

[RoundelRider]

Im into bicycling. Its not the cheapest thing to get into moneywise, but it gives good bloodflow to your legs, increases your heartrate, and you can keep it up for a long time. I have both a Moutian Bike and Road Bike, and being new at this diabetes thing, there gonna get some milage put on them!!!!

[KickStart101]

Well, I always loved dancing so I pop in a cd of my fave fast music
and dance for 20 minutes or more and I like walking fast on my treadmill for another 20 minutes(at a different time in day), I also exercise with my
huge purple Professional Trainer Rubber ball for 10 or 15 minutes. I also
go biking but if you are too shy then that would be out.(unless you biked by people so fast that all they saw was dust then they wouldn't see you). :D j/k

[nantomsuethom]

I am not shy but can not drag myself out of the house to a gym. I do have several walking, dancing, pilate videos but use my treadmill more than anything. I have a pair of corldless headphones that I hook up to the television, and for a walk I go.

[nancyaw]

Fortunately I have a tredmill in my family room, and I can exercise without leaving the house, and by myself. I was never successful in gym, or with anyone exercising with me. Believe me, I've tried it all! I turn on the music, and sing along with whatever is on, (although it causes my cats to run and hide, as I can't carry a tune with a shovel). The problem is for me to just put on the shoes, and get ON the tredmill!!!!! I always seem to find an excuse and something else that HAS to be done! What REALLY needs to be done, is for me to get a little selfish, and take care of my health! I guess that goes for all of us, huh :questionm Nancyaw

[Peter Lee]

I walk. Fortunately (!? :hmmmm: ) I live at the top of a long hill and walk down to get the newspaper - and then get back up as fast as my metabolism allows.

The other thing I do in my study at home is to work out with two 11 pound barbells. The beauty of this type of workout is that it is private, you can do it when you want and you can easily adjust the regime to suite yourself if you are not feeling energetic for one day. I am keeping muscle tone and development but anyone that doesn't want that can just use lighter weights for plain exercise.

[rzrbks]

GOLF

How else would it be ok to wander out in the middle of a field cursing and talking to no one and not have the police haul you in?

[notme]

I have discovered that I will only exercise if I am having fun. Forcing myself to work out just ends in failure after a week or two. So..... I do things that make me play. I love to rollerblade. I love to kayak. I love to take my dog to the park and chase frisbee with him.

I think frisbee golf would be fun. I may try that. My son plays. I like to bike ride so I find that I will ride a bike to the store if I just need a couple of things. I also bike when I go to visit my parents who live not to far away. I love kayaking so, I make a picnic dinner and my husband and I will meet at our favorite kayak place and have dinner on the water. I love to swim, so we are thinking about putting in a pool and giving up a few of our beloved vacations to pay for it.

Play like a kid and you will get your exercise!

[Fred&CharlesFan]

Hi. I need some advice. I REALLY need to start exercising BUT I'm extremely shy about doing these kinds of things in front of people. SOOOO, any ideas about what kind of exercise I could do? :vroam:

Faerie, with the 'possible' exception of doing "partial-nude full-dance aerobics" (which I might be embarrassed to do or watch..), I would do what seems natural in your area. I have to agree with walking and biking options. What an easy activity to fit into your day!
And with the cycling expense, you don't need a full suspension, M5 Manipulated alloy DownTube framed Specialized StumpJumper FSR 120 ($5000 US !!!!), to be able to find a road and just ride for 40 minutes and enjoy the scenery, improved fitness and BG control that will follow.
Get grandMa's ole 26" Schwinn and just ride; or walk or anything. Do something you like; and if you don't like it, try something else.

Good Luck!

[Lorna]

You might be better joining some sort of class, if you can bring yourself to do it. That way, everyone is making a fool out of themselves doing the exercise so there will be no need to be shy and you are also more likely to stick with it and do more.