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How to avoid low blood sugars while working out…

May 16, 2022

The phrase diabetes and exercise either sounds like a match made in heaven or a nightmare.

Exercise can seem SUPER daunting for people living with diabetes.

However, it is important to remember that exercising is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy.

Sometimes you may feel as though you so much as LOOK at a treadmill and experience low blood sugars. 

You start to get into the zone with a warm-up and then ‘your blood sugar tanks.

Now what? 

You are consuming calories you don’t want to be eating when you’re supposed to be burning them!  

You’re frustrated while wasting time, effort, and energy. 

One way to avoid that is to avoid having insulin on board before your workout.

This can mean using a temporary basal or suspending your pump.

The less insulin on board you have, the less likely there is to be blood sugar volatility in advance.

This can be absolutely critical if applied the right way to your diabetes.

Another way to avoid low blood sugars during exercise is to adjust your meals.

By adjusting the types of meals you are eating as well as the timing of those meals, you’ll be better prepared for successful workouts.

Making sure you aren’t eating too close to your workout (or adjusting doses as needed).

 Focus on meals that are a mix of complex carbohydrates and proteins as these will dissolve slower in your system.

The goal is to have plenty of the good stuff (stored glucose) before you begin your workout.  

One final suggestion to avoid hypoglycemia during workouts-practice regular movement.

I know, it's preached over and over again in our diabetes community but it really is important.

Aim to move your body once or twice daily.

Exercise has a direct impact on your blood sugars.

What steps are you going to take to improve that impact?

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