any suggestions ?

christie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-22-2005, 02:36 PM

i wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions, i recently started an exercise routine at the Y recently, i check my sugars when i get there (an example yesterday i was 101) they are ok,but when i'm done exercising my sugars are so low i can barely make it to the car,yesterday i was 40 when i was done,i always go to workout after i eat lunch,so i want to know what i can do so i can workout without passing out from a hypo. any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

HeatherP · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-2005, 02:38 PM

You need to eat something before you excercise. If my sugar is under 150 before excercise I'll have one of those Lite 'n Fit yogurt smoothies, if it's under 130 I'll eat some meat and a piece of fruit. If it's 180 or more then I don't have to eat. This is based on what I know about myself, your experience may be a little different, but eating is the key.

jdstein11 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-2005, 02:41 PM

The same thing happens to me after softball; I've been in the 30's twice. I bring a Gatorade (33 carbs per 20 oz bottle) and make sure that I drink about 1/3 at a time (testing before drinking it) and that has worked for me. I play doubleheaders, starting at 8:00 AM, so it's pretty hot by the time we're done, so it's fairly strenuous.

You can also try keeping some glucose tablets on hand if you don't want to eat. That works for me.

Cinnabon · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-2005, 03:07 PM

Gatorade works for me. I must be above 140 before I work out or if not I will be in the 30s. Always keep some type of drink w/ you (Gatorade, Red bull, Reg Coke). Whats your regimen (shots/ pump)?

alisa · #5 (**permalink**) 07-22-2005, 06:07 PM

One problem might be the insulin from your lunch is still active when you are working out. If you take short acting insulin with lunch you might be able to reduce the amount when you are going to exercise. But always make sure to have something close by to fix a low. Good Luck and keep exercising!
Alisa

am1977 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-22-2005, 06:38 PM

Starting at 100 probably is far too low when you are going to exercise. I've tried working out at that level and by the end, I feel like a zombie

. It's perfect for any other part of the day, but when you are working out...you have to realize that your blood sugar will most likely fall.

What you might want to do is one of two things. Either cut the insulin dose you give yourself at lunch in half OR have a snack before you go to exercise. I know it sounds counterproductive to eat something, but you don't want to risk going too low after your workouts.

Good luck!

DeusXM · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 04:32 AM

Take less insulin at lunch. Blood glucose is lowered by insulin, which helps the muscles use the glucose as fuel. If you're exercising, your muscles will need more fuel and so will absorb more blood glucose. You might also find it helpful to have a bottle of Lucozade or a similar energy drink with you during your workout. The sugar in the product will be absorbed by your muscles fast, and shouldn't make any difference as such to any weight loss regime because it'll be burnt up by your system very quickly.

Running a bg of 101 is borderline hypo territory anyway - if you're running that low before exercising, definitely drink something sugary beforehand.

You will probably find you will need to reduce your insulin intake considerably if you are exercising after lunch - we're talking maybe a 25-50% reduction here.

christie · #8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 01:28 PM

i have been walking for a month now, but i recently started doing nautilus at the ymca,i take lantus 1x daily and humalog. its frustrating to have to eat before working out but welcome to diabetes, i did hear on tv recently if you take vitamin c before working it will reduce muscle pain from working out,they said it was due to antioxident in the vitamin.

christie · #9 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 01:30 PM

and thanks to everyone for the help. i tried a snack before yesterday and i was fine so thanks for the suggestions.

DeusXM · #10 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 04:32 PM

You don't necessarily have to eat. If you just skip the eating and don't take your bolus, then you should be able to work out without having to eat beforehand.

sirius · #11 (**permalink**) 08-05-2005, 04:19 PM

All right got it, everybody: usually exercises after lunch (from what I know should be 2.30 hours after your lunch); does bs measurements, has something sugary with him/her. For someone is good to eat snack before (I don't do that); for someone to decrease the insulin (I usually take 2 units less); for someone to do these two things at the same time - eat snack and decrease the insulin or the last option as DeusXM recommends “ to use sugary (energy) drinks if you are feeling low before exercise”.
If I am right, nobody is mentioning what kind of exercise he/she does? Except for DeusXM who said plays softball. How much time per day (in hours or min)? Actually I am not exercising too much…I am running too much at work (I am working in a TV production company). So, my work is my exercise and with extra exercise I may have more hypos then I have them lately. I am having a rest from hypos for two days now, but now the highs are back on scene (PMS). First I’ll change the bolus and if I have time I’ll do exercise. When I do have time I play: tennis (30 min), drive bicycle (30 min) or dance (30 min-1 hour). I do everything which is necessary to lower the risks of hypos. One thing I don’t do before exercise is to eat a snack. I just decrease the insulin and always have coca cola with me in case something bad happens.