Diabetes and exercise

• Oct 03, 2023

Exercise is an important part of your treatment. Becoming more active can help lower blood sugar and keep your heart healthy. Exercise can also give you more energy and help to reduce your stress.

Try to pick activities that you like and will do often. A more active lifestyle can be a fun and easy way to stay healthy!

Here are some ideas to add extra activity to your day:

Take the stairs instead of the elevator	Walk to the store instead of driving, or park farther away from the store and walk	Clean the house, work in the yard, wash the car, or walk the dog
Dance to your favorite music	Play sports or take a bike ride	Go for a walk around the mall

Check with your doctor before starting any new activities. Remember to check your blood sugar before and after increased activity.

When you exercise, you may want to:

• Wear good shoes
• Drinks lots of water
• Carry identification that says you have diabetes and a list of your medications, especially if you have type 1 diabetes
• Warm up and cool down before and after exercise
• Bring a snack or juice to eat in case your blood sugar gets too low. A sugary snack, such as hard candy, milk, or fruit, will help quickly raise your blood sugar

Source: MKG MKT0568