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The Question
09/06/09 01:52 PM

"If I eat extra food because I am exercising, can I still expect to lose weight?"
Asked By: stormyday  
Category: Exercise

Background Info Hide
I am pre diabetic/ technically diabetic type 2 but able to control BS well with diet and exercise. I was told to eat 15 g more carbs if planning exercise. I dont understand how i would burn fat if my body is using glucose from my bloodstream.

Expert Answers (2)

09/08/09 09:54 PM

Dear Stormyday-

A tremendous amount is written on weight loss. The basic answer is calories in minus calories expended leads to weight loss.If the calories burned via exercise exceed your intake there is weight loss.

Do you need the extra carb exchange with exercise? Were you experiencing low glucose post exercise? Not all Type 2 diabetes require a snack unless the exercise period is over a hour and moderate to strenuous. With you monitoring your glucose levels you will be the judge of that.

In understanding where the fat burning comes in, it is the breakdown of fat cells that assists in glucose utilization. Again it is the concept of less calories in that utilized in exercise.

If you are maintaining healthy glucose targets with meal planning alone, try to commit to exercise at least 5 days a week and begin to increase the time you exercise each day to get to the amount of calories you wish to burn.

The starting point is to stick with the meal plan you are on. Slowly increase your exercise with small time increments and observe for any low glucose results. This is going to be your measuring stick as to how much exercise is too much.

It is important to maintain a good balance of protein, fats and carbs. Each play a significant role in maintaining a healthy body.

Keep a good log and you will see some slow steady results that are the best results for long term success. Do well and stay in good health.

Answered By: Janet HowardDucsay
Accreditations: RN BSN CDE
Sources Show
09/08/09 07:16 PM

Hi and thanks for writing dLife! Great question! If you are not taking medications for diabetes management, then it would not be necessary for you to need to eat before exercise, as it is highly unlikely that your blood sugar level would drop too low. However, depending on when your last meal or snack was and how intense your exercise will be, a small snack beforehand may help you be able to exercise a little longer without feeling fatigue. The key is "small", like a small piece of fruit or serving of cereal. With exercise, it is also important to make sure you are well hydrated, as dehydration can also cause fatigue and weakness. And remember, controlling weight comes not only from exercise, but from portion control of foods throughout the day along with increased activity of daily living, like walking more, housework, parking farther away from destinations and taking stairs instead of elevators.
Answered By: Janice Baker
Accreditations: B.Sc., MBA, RD, CDE, CNSC
Sources Show

Community Answers (2)

09/11/09 10:59 PM

In theory you should not loss weight because in a normal exercise routine you burn about 300 calories and by eating a snack straight after training your are replacing what you have burned. Like Janet mention your body will first use the glucose in your blood stream before it will dip into you energy reserves (fat). What Janice mentioned works for me if I have a small fiber snack 1 hour before a work out it stop the dipping of my bg. Protein is a better recovery snack if you must snack afterwards and it speeds up the recovery period. Most of the times your are dehydrated, If you are in the water you don’t realize how much water your body needs and I always drink something when I get out.
Answered By: pinejo
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09/09/09 09:25 AM

I am swimming three times a week, and doing some weights in the water as well. I need a day to recover in between. I stay an hour or more, not actually swimming the whole time but moving and exercising for sure. I usually test when I get out and if low 70's I eat a fiber bar for about 15 carbs. The reason I do this is because I have found that with low 70 readings, An hour later I will be HIGH... over 200. even though I have not eaten. My body dumps sugar .... So I am trying to prevent those very high numbers and thought that eating a little to cover exercise would be better than a High BS. I am losing some weight SOME. Is this a good idea?
Answered By: stormyday
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