I was told that if my BG was over 250, don't exercise, it will go up. I woke up this morning and my BG was 132 - best fasting # in a week. I did 30 minutes of cardio & some situps. Tested and it was 190. Should I have worked out longer? Or would it just keep going up. Should I wait longer until I try exercising? I'm at 40U of Lantus, 1500mg of Met, and low-carb diet. It's only been a week since I tested and saw 373 and got back on track after months of bad eating, off meds, etc. Is it just too early to think about exercising? Should I lose more weight 1st? Or did I do something wrong or not work out long enough? Do I have to eat before and/or after? I am not hungry in the mornings. Maybe I should work out at night?

Any advice on the best diabetic-procedure for exercise would be appreciated. I've worked too hard this week to see my BG nearing 200+ again.

Hi,

I often have the same problem and I'm trying to figure it out too. What's more or less working for me is to take my bolus and eat breakfast before exercising. I think I need some insulin in me first thing in the morning otherwise my bg goes up as a result of the exercise. My problem is figuring out just how much to bolus. I don't know how this would translate to type 2 though.

Hope this helps,

Seth

Carbjunky,

I have the same problem. I now eat some protein right when I get up (right after testing). It's too soon to tell if this is going to work (just started doing it), but exercise is generally a good thing.

It's so frustrating, but I would not stop exercising. Do you do any weight lifting? Because there seems to be a consensus that the more muscle mass you have, the better you burn glucose.

Cheers.

Carbjunky,

One rule I use is to build up slowly. Injury prevention and reduced aches are two good reasons. For you controlling your insulin with respect to exercise is a good reason to start slowly and experiement to see how your body works metabalism wise. We are all different.

Assuming your doctor approved you to exercise, then doing it in moderation should be okay. Do lots of testing and see how it goes. My glucose used to rise with aerobic cardio level exercise, but not as high as yours is, maybe 20 to 30 points. I think anerobic exercise lowers glucose numbers more dramatically. I have seen people claim that longer aerobic sessions will eventually cause drops, but again we are all different, so you will have to see what happens with different amounts of exercise.

Chuck

Hi!

How long after exercising did you test? I found that my BG went up during and directly after activity that elevated my heart rate; however, a couple of hours later it was lower. Once my body adjusted to the exercise and it was using the glucose in my system more regularly, I found that I consistently started lower, got higher during and shortly after, and then lowered again. Much like eating really. In that way, the readings steadied and came down as a set...if that make sense.

Good Luck!

I tested right afterwards. Before I even took my shower.

I would be fine w/ 20-30 increase, but nearing 200 again just scares me and I want to avoid that. I'll think about it again when my #'s are better.

I have developed various routines for the level of activity. For aerobic cardio for 60 minutes, I have to reduce my basal rate on my pump to just 10% of my normal dosage starting 90 minutes before starting. If not, my BG drops super quick. In some cases, I went from 160 to 60 in 30 minutes.

When golfing I reduce my basal rate by 50% for upwards of 6 hours. I eat plenty during the round and take my BG every 3rd hole. I think it's the heat here in Florida that makes my insulin work better.

If doing a treadmill or lifting weights, I don't change my basal rate. BG goes down but not like the other activities.

Of course, I eat a meal about 90 minutes before I start any of my excercising.

carbjunky,

The high rise in glucose is probably caused by insulin resistance which would mean that exercise is VERY important to you. Exercise reduces insulin resistance.

Rather than not exercising why not reduce the amount of exercise and build up slowly. I have also found that mild exercise like slow walking will lower my glucose while hard/cardio exercise will cause it to rise.

As you get in better shape and lose some weight the glucose rises with exercise will become less pronounced.

Good luck.

Chuck

I'm glad I found this...

Saturday, I tested right before my little bike ride (http://www.konoctichallenge.com), and tested at 211 after eating some fruit and a bagel for energy. This bike ride is 65 miles around the largest natural lake in California, and includes a few hill climbs which are not for the faint of heart. I mention that since after my heart attack, I'm on Plavix, metoprolol, simvastatin, glyburide, and metformin.

Long story short, at the 20 mile rest stop, I was feeling fine (no major climbs). At the 37 mile rest stop (6 mi. after MAJOR climb #1)






I tested again, and my meter told me I was at 378. I started climb #2 (45 degree up angle), got about 2/3 the way up the slope, lost momentum, and couldn't get out of my clips in time. I wound up in the weeds and bushes and gravel on the side of the road at the 40 mile mark. Just lucky it wasn't in the roadway of the highway I was on at the time.

My intake along the ride mainly consisted of Cytomax (a specialized "energy replacement" drink), and water - I limited my intake of the Cytomax to 1 qt. over the 40 miles, and drank water the rest of the time. For some reason, I was under the belief that my exercise would use the sugars found in the Cytomax.

Does strenuous exercise REALLY jack up your BG levels that much?

Note: Last year, I did the same exact ride, and successfully completed it without incident.

I have the opposite effect. Last night I ate a small dinner and 2 hours after I tested at 134. I rode my stationary bike at 20mph for 30 minutes. When I tested right after I was done my BG was 85. I have never had it go up from exercising.