Be a diabetic pro.

Managing blood sugar during exercise can feel like solving a complex puzzle. As someone who loves staying active while managing type 1 diabetes, I want to share some insights that might help you maintain better control during your workouts.

How Different Types of Exercise Affect Blood Sugar

Aerobic Exercise (Cardio)

Typically, activities like running, cycling, or swimming tend to lower blood sugar. This happens because:

• Your muscles use glucose for energy
• Your body becomes more sensitive to insulin
• The effect can last for several hours after exercise

Anaerobic Exercise (High Intensity/Strength Training)

Surprisingly, activities like weight lifting or sprint intervals can temporarily raise blood sugar because:

• Your body releases stress hormones
• These hormones can cause the liver to release glucose
• The effect is usually short-term

Tips for Better Management

1. Check Before You Start

   • Test your blood sugar 15-30 minutes before exercise
   • Aim for a starting range of 140-180 mg/dL for most activities
   • Have fast-acting carbs readily available

2. Monitor During Activity

   • For longer workouts, check every 30 minutes
   • Use CGM trends to anticipate changes
   • Don't wait until you feel low to check

3. Post-Exercise Care

   • Check blood sugar after exercise
   • Be prepared for delayed drops in blood sugar
   • Consider reducing insulin if needed

Community Tips

We'd love to hear your experiences! How do you manage your blood sugar during exercise? Share your tips and stories in the comments or join our community challenges focused on active lifestyle management.

Remember: everyone's body responds differently to exercise. What works for one person might not work for another. The key is to:

• Start slowly
• Keep good records
• Learn your patterns
• Make adjustments based on your experience

Stay tuned for our upcoming exercise challenges where we can work together to improve our management strategies while staying active!