Exercise Motivation Tips for People with Diabetes

Everybody knows that physical activity is great for your health—it increases endurance, strength and flexibility; lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels; and can even help reduce stress levels. Even more importantly, if you’re a diabetic, exercise can increase your body’s ability to absorb insulin, which can reduce the need for injections and oral medications.

But here’s the thing: it’s hard to stay motivated. Maybe you haven’t seen any results in a while and you’re losing faith; maybe you’re caught in an exercise rut; or maybe you’ve just found something else you’d rather spend your time doing. It can be easy to lose your motivation.

Between working, running errands and taking care of your kids, it can be difficult to prioritize working out (Let’s face it—after a tough day, it’s easy to justify skipping the gym). To make sure you don’t lose track of your priorities, here are some tips that will help you stay motivated:

• Do something you like: Physical exercise doesn’t have to mean working out at the gym. You can make exercising fun by doing something you like, whether it’s dancing, playing sports, swimming or doing yoga—you’ll be much more likely to stick to your routine in the long-term.

• Have a workout buddy: It’s easier to stay motivated to exercise regularly if you make it something to look forward to. Having a workout buddy is not only a great way to spend time catching up with a friend, but it can also bring out your competitive side, motivating you to push yourself further!

• Set small, attainable goals: Everybody has their own reasons for working out, whether it’s to lose 30 pounds or just to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of what your end goal is, it will be easier to reach if you break it down into smaller, less daunting goals. If you want to lose 30 pounds, for example, aim to lose one or two pounds every week. If you want to run a marathon, add a little bit of distance to your runs each week. That way, you can celebrate your progress instead of getting frustrated because you haven’t yet reached your end goal.

• Get a Trainer: There’s no shame in not knowing how to work out! If you’ve never stepped foot inside a gym, or if you’re looking for new ways to work out, seeking professional help is the way to go. A personal trainer can tailor a fitness routine that will help you reach your goals while having fun!

Deciding to start a regular fitness routine is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Just remember to monitor your blood sugar levels closely with your Medisure blood glucose meter. You never know how the exercise will affect your body’s ability to absorb insulin—after all, physical exercise can reduce or even eliminate your body’s need for diabetes medication altogether!

So what are you waiting for? Make the commitment to yourself to get in shape today! For more information, visit Medisure Canada Inc. online at www.medisure.ca.