Active Lifestyle Benefits People With Type 2 Diabetes (NAPSA)—It’s no secret that most Americans need to eat less and move more. But for people with type 2 diabetes, an active lifestyle is especially important for staying healthy and controlling blood sugarlevels. “Regular physical activity has multiple, beneficial effects for peo- ple with diabetes,” according to Charles M. Clark, Jr., MD, chair of the National Diabetes Educa- tion Program, (NDEP), a joint federal program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Physical activity is important because it helps the body use insulin more effi- ciently, improves blood flow to the heart and muscles, lowers blood pressure and increases HDL (good) cholesterol.” Dr. Clark urges us to do things the way our grandparents did. “Walk or bike to the store, go dancing, or walk the dog. You don’t have to exercise in a formal way—just move and have fun— everyday.” How can you build physical activities into daily living? Get off the bus one or two stops early or park yourcar at the far end of the lot. Active chores count. Break your activities into 10 to 15 minute sessions. When you vacuum, work in the garden, or wash the car, you're moving and burningcalories. If you spend your days sitting at a desk, get up at least once every hour and walk briskly down the hall, or up and down flight of stairs. You'll feel energized and burn calories. For more information on diabetes, call the National Diabetes Tips for Staying Active for People with Type 2 Diabetes Before beginning physicalactivity, ask your health care provider for guidance on exercising safely. Buy a comfortable pair of shoes thatfit well. Check your feet everydayfor cuts, blisters, or swelling. Plan a timefor physical activity, just as you would for eating andsleeping. Test your blood sugarlevel before and after you exercise. Don't exercise if it is higher than 250 mg/dl orif there are ketones in your urine. If your blood sugaris below 120mg/dl eata meal or snack before exercising and take a snack with you. If you havenit been physically active,start slowly and gradually build up to the 30 minutes a day recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General. Be aware of how your body respondsto physical activity and if you feelfaint or dizzy talk to your doctor. Weara medicalidentification bracelet or carry a card that says you havediabetes. Stretching often is great for avoiding stiffness and feeling good. Set goals for yourself, be consistent and, mostofall, have fun. Education Program at 1-800-8608747 or visit the program’s Web site at http://ndep.nih.gov. For more information on physical fitness and weight control call the Weight-Control Information Network (WIN)at 1-877-946-4627.
