Are you feeling lethargic? Then head out on a walk. It’s easy on the feet and light on the system. The good thing about walking is that it helps regularise your metabolism. Patients with diabetes often wonder “Is walking good for diabetes?”. Well! The answer is yes! Research has proven that walking is good for both type 2 and type 1 diabetes patients. In this article, we’ll explore how?
Diabetes and Walking
Walking is a great way of breaking inactivity, the single most common symptom of diabetes. As walking helps with metabolism, diabetics can benefit from it to decompose excessive blood sugar levels.
As a matter of fact, at Hispano Medical Centers, we recommend mild walking routines to our diabetic patients to help them recover. As walking is low-impact, it is light on the joints and feet which often get affected due to diabetes.
Can Walking Help Lower Blood Sugar
Walking is, in fact, the only exercise that goes well with diabetes. Many diabetic patients struggle with movement and continuing their daily routines due to insulin ingestion and medications. Walking can help reduce insulin injections and diabetes medicinal dosages as it can help burn excessive calories and regularize metabolism. Walking can break that period of inactivity and lethargy that is accompanied by diabetes. So, can walking help lower blood sugar? The answer is, IT CERTAINLY CAN!
Benefits of Walking for Diabetics
Mild walking routines also reduce stress levels that in turn are good for cardiac functioning and reduction of blood sugar levels. Walking can also help the body regularize the use of insulin a bit better. Regular walks, while you have diabetes, can be beneficial for building your stamina and burning those excess calories that can be piled up as excessive blood sugar sediments. The heightened levels of blood circulation in the body due to walking can also ensure seamless blood flow to your feet and joints thereby reducing the symptoms of diabetes.
Useful Tips for Walking
The first and most important tip for walking is to start nimbling. Do not get into heavy walking routines. To start with, we suggest standing up from your chair and taking a troll within your TV lounge. Then, you can build upon this daily until you are fit. When you can handle relatively long walks, build walking into your daily life. You could park your car a little away from your workplace and walk to it, or you could walk to work if you live nearby.
When you have a walking routine set, you can then regularize it by setting a certain time for walking during the day. To make waking more exciting, you can listen to music or stay connected with friends and family over the phone. Also, it helps when you walk with others. Join peers and go on walks with them for a fun-filled active time. Do count your steps and use apps for measuring your distance.
Exercise and Diabetes Prevention
Regular walking and tracking your distance while comparing it with your daily blood sugar level readings can significantly help you prevent acute diabetes. Walking can be very helpful in controlling your diabetes and regularising your body. You can take some light snacks before you start walking. If you are wondering “Can walking lower blood sugar?”, then, yes it certainly does. You need some healthy nutrition with it though. A slice of malt loaf, a yogurt, or a piece of fruit before and after your walking session will get you going.
If you are taking mild medicine for diabetes such as sulphonylureas, then you should check your blood sugar levels before, during, and after your walks. Carry your meds and your diabetes ID with you and always be sure to tell a friend or a family member that you are going on a walk and the route you are taking, just to be on the safe side. Many patients struggle with this question, “Can exercise prevent diabetes?”. They must always remember that diabetes is an incurable disease and only be prevented by a healthy lifestyle which includes exercise, most importantly.
Looking After Your Feet
When you have diabetes, your feet are especially vulnerable to a phenomenon called foot neuropathy. In this condition, the neuro pathways to your feet get clogged and disrupt blood flow to your feet. This could also occur with your leg joints. Therefore, it is very important to be careful while walking when you have diabetes. It is recommended to wear socks and shoes that fit you and to walk slowly and carefully. Always regularly check your feet after your walks and the next day before you embark on your walking routine. Any abnormal changes such as swelling of the feet must be consulted with your physician. We always recommend taking advice from your physician before establishing a walking routine when you have diabetes.
Conclusion
We hope that you are now well up to speed on how to use walking as a remedy for diabetes. To sum it up, walking is a low-impact and effective exercise that can greatly benefit individuals with diabetes by improving metabolism, reducing blood sugar levels, and promoting overall health. At Hispano Medical Center, we encourage mild walking routines for our diabetic patients to help them manage their condition. Regular walks can also improve circulation, reduce stress, and aid in insulin regulation. Always start with light walks and gradually increase your routine for better diabetes control.
FAQs
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Is walking good for diabetes?
Yes, walking is an excellent way to manage diabetes. It helps regulate metabolism, reduce blood sugar levels, and improve circulation, making it beneficial for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients.
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What to eat before and after walking when you are diabetic?
A slice of malt loaf, a yogurt, or a piece of fruit before and after your walking session will get you going. Keep the intake of nutrients light and eat only when you feel hungry or weak.
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Does walking lower blood sugar?
Yes, walking is an effective way to lower blood sugar. Regular walks can help reduce excessive blood sugar levels by aiding in metabolism and improving insulin regulation in the body.
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Can exercise prevent diabetes?
Yes, regular exercise like walking can help prevent diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity, maintaining a healthy weight, and regulating blood sugar levels. It’s an essential part of a healthy lifestyle to lower the risk of diabetes.