Active Living Program News
Active Living Every Day Offers Real Solutions to Diabetes Management
More than 18 million people in the United States have diabetes, and nearly a third of these people are unaware that they have the disease. On American Diabetes Alert Day (March 22, 2005), people are encouraged to find out if they are at risk for diabetes. Those who have diabetes or are at risk can learn how to control diabetes or reduce their chances of developing it. One way is through regular physical activity, and Active Living Every Day provides practical suggestions for incorporating daily activity into a healthy lifestyle.
Why Does Physical Activity Help?
Regular physical activity provides physical, emotional, and mental benefits for everyone, not just people with diabetes. But for those who do have diabetes or are at risk for developing it, physical activity can help in the following ways:
- Lower blood glucose levels and perhaps reduce the amount of medication needed to treat diabetes, or even eliminate the need for medication
- Improve circulation in the arms and legs, where people with diabetes can experience problems with blood flow
- Help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, two conditions that can lead to heart attack and stroke
- Reduce stress, which can raise glucose levels
- Burn calories to help maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight or obese can increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes.
Be Active Every Day
The key to maintaining physical activity is to find enjoyable, moderate-intensity activities that match a person’s lifestyle and personality. Here are some examples of moderate-intensity physical activities from Active Living Every Day.
- Walking
- Bowling
- Dancing
- Sweeping the sidewalk
- Bicycling
- Mopping or vacuuming
- Swimming
- Weeding or digging in the garden
- Practicing tai chi
- Raking or mowing the lawn
- Playing golf with no cart
Play It Safe
Anyone who begins a new physical activity should first review his or her health history and determine the need to see a health professional. People with preexisting conditions such as heart disease or diabetes should consult a doctor before attempting moderate-intensity activities. Active Living Every Day uses a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for all new participants and recommends that participants consult with a doctor before increasing physical activity levels.
Resources
Click on any of these links to find additional information.
http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/americandiabetesalert.jsp The American Diabetes Association’s official Web site for the American Diabetes Alert campaign. Take a risk test, learn the symptoms of diabetes, and learn more about the disease.
http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/diabetes/exercise.asp LifeClinic offers disease-management tips for those with diabetes and other health conditions.
http://www.diabetesandsports.com This site provides a forum for people with diabetes to exchange advice, provide encouragement, create a sense of community, and learn about physical activity for people with diabetes.
The Diabetic Athlete by Sheri Colberg. The Diabetic Athlete gives athletes and dedicated fitness enthusiasts the practical tips to manage type 1 or type 2 diabetes better while training and competing for performance.
www.ActiveLiving.info Active Living Every Day offers a practical approach to becoming and staying active for a lifetime. People can sign up to take the course on their own or with a licensed provider. Community health groups, worksites, health and fitness facilities, hospitals, and other organizations may license as Active Living Partners providers to offer Active Living Every Day in their communities. For more information, please call 800-747-4457 ext 2522 or send an e-mail message to michellem@hkusa.com.
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