Physical Activity

Positive effects can be seen decades later.

Having recently just tried a Fitbit physical activity tracking device (the Charge HR model) for the first time, I have noticed that in this post-Thanksgiving holiday sales time, everyone is selling them! But they are far from inexpensive. The American Diabetes Association also recently was involved in a FitForGood promotion that Fitbit ran that allowed them and two other nonprofit organizations to earn some extra money. Racking up extra steps for the ADA certainly motivated me and my family members to be more active—for a few days at least!

HbA1c and lipids show improved with high-intensity physical activity.

Normal weight, physically active children thought to have higher executive function.

It has long been known that regular physical activity is essential for good health. Even well over 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates (460-370 BC) noted, “Eating alone will not keep man well; he must also take exercise. For food and exercise work together to produce health.” Why, then, is it so hard for us to embrace this concept of being active now?

T2 patients had higher lactate levels and score higher on Rating of Perceived Exertion scale.

Embracing weight loss maintenance may result in better physical performance and health outcomes.

I recently was included in a discussion on a Facebook group for athletes with diabetes about how hard it can be to lose weight through exercise. While I would never claim to have all the answers on this topic, here are some ideas about what can make you gain weight or keep you from losing weight with diabetes, based on my decades of professional and personal experience with diabetes and weight management, and what you can do about it.

Prandial and basal insulin reduction with carbohydrate feeding can help reduce risk of lows.

Patients on PPAR-gamma agonists advised to find suitable physical activity...