Diet and exercise go hand in hand. If you are regularly exercising but are eating a diet loaded with sugar, fat, and carbohydrates, your consumption of these foods will counteract your fitness efforts. Likewise, if your diet consists of healthy proteins, fruits, and whole grains but you live a sedentary lifestyle, your cardiovascular health will suffer. Try to find a balance between diet and exercise that are convenient for your lifestyle. Committing to a better diet and daily exercise will help regulate your blood sugar levels and even your mood. Regular exercise also leads to higher energy levels, which in the end will make it easier to exercise. Your diabetes care team have included resources below to help you jump start your fitness regimen. Research shows that walking or jogging, or any aerobic exercise performed at a mild to moderate intensity for 10–30 minutes, three to five days per week, is enough to produce significant improvements in blood sugar control.

Examples of aerobic exercises include but are not limited to:

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Cycling
  • Jump Rope
  • Dancing: Zumba, Salsa
  • Cardio Equipment: elliptical, treadmill, stationary bike, stair master, rowing machine