Exercise can be a really tricky thing when you're diabetic. Whether you're starting a new routine or just changing up an old one, it's tough to manage blood sugars alongside cardio and resistance training. The ups and downs add an extra edge to the difficulty of staying in shape.
Last week, I decided to try some new exercise classes which sent my blood sugars into a tailspin. Luckily, I was able to lower my insulin and fend off the lows...but I wasn't able to achieve the balance that I crave. This week I'm still working hard to get back into shape (and lose some more weight)...but mostly I'm trying to find that medium ground between the highs and lows of exercise.
When I was on the pump, exercise was easy to start into but I still fought with the lows afterwards. I never could manage to get that right, no matter how I changed the boluses and basals surrounding the workout. Now it's harder to start my workout in the right range of blood sugars and even harder to stay in range afterwards.
I like to stay above 180 when starting a workout. Exercise always makes me drop so usually starting above 180 keeps me above 100 once I've finished. With my switch to MDI's, I can't seem to start out in the right area. Usually, I'm above 250...which really wouldn't bother me considering I always drop back down. But I don't like the hour or two of 200's playing into my A1c results.
During my workout, I usually just watch for sudden drops (or spikes on some occasions). I check at least once in the middle of my workouts (whether it's a 30 minute run or an hour class). So during those checks, I see how far I'm trending low. If I go below 140 before my workout is over, I usually pop a few glucose tabs or LifeSavers or drink a glass of juice.
With Lantus/Humalog, I have to account for my insulin both before and after exercise. If I go for a morning jog, I cut my Lantus down in the morning and evening. If I do an evening run, I usually just cut down the evening Lantus. For the new classes I'm doing, I drop both Lantus doses since they are a tough combo of cardio and resistance training.
Even though I hate the hassles that diabetes throws into exercise, I do love how exercise can change some of my diabetes habits. Since increasing my workout routines, I've been able to knock 2-4 units per day off of my Lantus doses. I tend to eat a little better (even though my diet is never that bad) since my body craves more of the necessary nutrients to keep me going....which in turn leads to lower blood sugars.
Mostly, I love seeing the results in my body. I enjoy how a run gets a little easier and my muscles react with each strength training episode. I love how the scale starts to dip as I stick with a program. And my body looks leaner with each workout.
I'm just ready to get the insulin routine worked out with all these workouts so I can stop fighting the crazy highs before exercise and the nasty lows afterwards. Maybe with a few more days of the increased cardio/classes, I'll be able to see where the Lantus/Humalog need to be changed.
