Kristina Sandstedt Articles

Exercise Prescription for Diabetes

Despite all the information that has been discussed time and time again regarding the benefits of regular exercise and it’s role in blood glucose management, there are millions of people with diabetes who don’t exercise. Their excuses include having no time, no energy, lack of motivation, and on and on. In a past article I discussed the decisional balance, which is when a patient makes a decision based on the evaluation of his/her current behavior patterns. Specific to exercise, the patient may recognize that current exercise behaviors are not helping him/her to avoid certain medical/health consequences. Perhaps the following information will help weigh a client’s decisional balance in favor of participation in regular exercise.

Motivation: The Key to a Healthier Lifestyle

As health care professionals we often struggle with the issue of patient compliance. Whether we are trying to instill the concept of carbohydrate choices or achieving regular exercise, it is often difficult for us to motivate our patients to practice what we may be preaching. Perhaps one of the most meaningful concepts that we try to present to our patients is the importance of regular exercise.

Weight Training and Diabetes

The word is out! For people with diabetes, physical activity is a must or as we say in our program, "It’s non-negotiable." Whether one chooses to increase daily steps in a walking program, bicycling, water aerobics or dancing the benefits are inevitable. Blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol are all better controlled and of course weight loss in the form of fat loss occurs. Let us not forget, however the importance of weight/resistance training and its role in achieving improved physical activity.