Diabetes-Specific Exercise Tips

• Discuss with your doctor what types of exercise might be appropriate for you. Complications of diabetes such as severe eye disease and nerve damage may make some forms of exercise dangerous for you. Your doctor may also schedule a test to see how your heart responds to exercise.
• Do not exercise if your blood sugar is greater than 250 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and your ketones positive. This is an indication that you already may have a lack of insulin and exercise will only cause a greater rise in your blood sugar. Hydrate yourself and adjust your insulin as necessary, contact your health care provider.
• Use caution when exercising if your blood sugar is greater than 300 mg/dL without evidence of ketones, exercise may help decrease your sugars, but it's possible they will increase instead. Hydrate well prior to and after exercise and keep track of your sugars and ketones.
• Learn the effects of various types of exercise on your blood sugar.
• Have carbohydrate-based foods available for exercise and for the period following exercise. Add carbohydrates to your meals if you plan on doing exercise, adjust your insulin dose appropriately in anticipation of exercise.