Why is being active important for me?
Being active is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health and help manage your type 2 diabetes.
If you have type 2 diabetes, a physically active lifestyle helps you control your blood glucose levels. It does this in two ways:
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- Physical activity makes your body more sensitive to insulin. Insulin in the hormone that allows your body to use blood glucose for energy.
- It helps your body use glucose as a fuel for your working muscles, which, in turn, lowers your blood glucose levels. Your muscles need energy to move and they get this energy from the glucose in your blood, as well as the glucose stored in your muscles and, occasionally, from the stores in your liver.
For people with type 2 diabetes, being active can help improve your HbA1c which often means that you can reduce your diabetes medications.
There are many benefits of being active with type 2 diabetes, including:
- Helping to managing your blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk of diabetes complications
- Improving your circulation
- Improving cholesterol levels to help protect against problems like heart disease
- Lowering the risk of nerve damage
- Helping to maintain muscle mass, strength, power, and balance, which can improve physical function and independence
- Helping your joints and flexibility
- Preventing osteoporosis and risk of falls
- Assisting with weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight
Physical activity benefits your mind as well as your body. It is proven to reduce stress levels and improve low mood, and give you energy and help you sleep better, as well as improving your memory.
There isn’t one type of activity that’s best for everyone with diabetes. It can take a variety of forms because physical activity is multidimensional. It’s about finding what works for you as an individual.