Exercise and diabetic control

I am planning to go surfing and need to plan carbohydrates so that I don't go hypo while in the sea. I don't know how long I shall be in the sea for and am thinking of ways to plan for this. Thank you to all who have promoted Gluotabs. I am thinking of putting either a pot of these or tubes of glucogel inside my wet suit to have to hand.
Has anyone else tried surfing? What worked for you?

Does anyone else have "Motivation" problems re exercise? I have lots of good intentions but all my plans seen to come to nothing. I know excerise is essential for good diabetis control but getting into a routine of doing it is hard. Any ideas would be welcomed.

Hi Sheila

I can identify with the motivation issue... I like to "run" (a rather overstated description of my efforts) and I've found that (a) having a target such as a 10k event (not as horrible as it sounds as there are lots of events that attract more fun-runners than proper athletes - google your County and 10k runs) to aim for - I do a couple a year - and (b) finding a friend to run with, have really helped. Each week my friend Tracey and I fix a time to run after work, and I've found that this really helps (otherwise I get home from work with good intentions and then find myself still on the sofa two hours later). We've even been out in the rain the last two weeks! Its definitely worth it - not just for the positive impact on BG levels but also for the rather smug sense of well-being.. Good luck!

Stew

Hi Stew, thanks for the encouragement. Do you follow the Dafne guidelines for carbs andexercise? What works for you. I was good today, cycled to the hospital for appointment.

Hi Sheila

I have worked out what seems to work best for me. Often work gets in the way of exercise so I can't absolutely rely on going running, even if I've planned to do so. So, during the week I tend to use DAFNE as normal and take on extra carbs about 20 -30 minutes before I start running (I always run before my evening meal). At the moment I am "running" about three miles at least one evening a week. I test about 30 mins before I start, and then allow 1cp for every mile but adjust the cp depending on my starting BG level (so if I'm high when I test I'll reduce carbs so that I'm not still high when I finish, if I'm low I increase carbs to try to make sure I don't go below a BG level of 5. For short runs I tend to use orange juice as a quick-acting carb.

I play squash on most Sunday evenings, after my evening meal. For this I reduce my evening meal QA ratio from 1.5:1 to 1:1 and again test about 30 mins before I play. Using the theory that 1cp raises my BG level by 3 units, I take on enough carbs to get my level to between 10 and 12. On this basis, for me a reasonably strenuous game will leave me at a BG level around 6 at the end of the game.

I always make sure I've got something like Glucogel with me, and carry my mobile phone and a card saying I'm diabetic. I've never had a serious problem, but it makes me feel a bit more secure and has become part of the ritual!

Reading back, it sounds like I've got it sussed... The reality is that in the early days it was simply a matter of following DAFNE principles (lots of testing - including taking my meter with me and testing during the activity - and looking for patterns) and getting information about what has worked for others. I quickly got a feel for what works for me.

That doesn't mean that stretching out on the sofa with a glass of something isn't often a more attractive option - hence setting targets, and finding someone to run with once a week!

Good luck with it!

Stew

Thanks Stew for the encouragement. I have been trying to walk more and get my bike out instead of using the car. The biggest setback is the fact that I do shift work so it is difficult to set a regular time to go out, and that shifts can leave me quite tired. But you are right, sitting and thinking about exercise won't make it happen. Have fun with the running. Sheila

I normally exercise during the early evening, before my evening meal and well after my lunchtime QA has peaked. A couple of weeks ago I went for a run an hour or so after lunch, when my QA was still "active", and I had a terrible time - heavy legs, no energy etc. My pre-run BG was fine - about the same level as it would be when I run in the evenings, but there had been a much larger than usual drop during the run.

I guess this can be put down to the effect of "active" insulin, but the question is what should I do under similar circumstances in the future (other than avoiding exercise until any QA has peaked).? I guess the choices are to drop the QA ratio at the previous meal or to load up with extra carbs before running (regardless of the BG level at the start). Or is there another solution?

Just when I thought I knew what I was doing...

Stew

Hi Sheila

Any excercise is good for you. I personaly stick to the rules. I go to the gym 4 times a week and each workout takes just over 2 hours intensive training. I found the more I worked out the better my matabulism became and the less basal insulin I needed as Im on an insulin pump. For the hours I work out plus the hour before I drop this down by 50% and also eat 10 grams of carbs.

I hope you continue to work out and enjoy the improvement in quality of life you will get from it.

Barry