Starting the Gym

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Teanosugar DAFNE Graduate
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
25 posts

I presently do martial arts on a Thursday and Sunday. I occasionally have random hypos during training, but nothing I'm concerned with as my instructor is great. I'm about to start the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday straight after work for the purposes of getting my strength and fitness levels up. I'm going to have a banana about half an hour before, drink Lucozade while I'm there and then have a snack as soon as I'm finished; testing my blood before and after. I will then go home and have my evening meal as soon as possible where I'll slightly reduce my Humalog insulin dose.

I presently take 24 units of Lantus at around 8pm. I work on a 1 to 10g ratio for my quick acting. My BMs are presently not brilliant, but not totally out of control. I think my last HBA1C was around 8 and had come down from the previous months. They are set to get better still next time.

Any thoughts or advice on things to consider? It's awhile since doing DAFNE for me!

Thanks

MGH DAFNE Graduate
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
1 post

Hi there

I asked a similar question at my DAFNE catch up appointment yesterday as I want to start exercising but every time I do I tend to get hypos. I was recommended the website:

www.excarbs.com

As a good starting point as its less complicated than some of the others.

Hope it helps

glen4 DAFNE Graduate
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
46 posts

It's a hard 1 as everyone is different! I've experienced both highs + lows! You load up on carbs and are sluggish! You go light then get that adrenaline rush and your BG is in double figures! I reckon plenty of testing with lots of practice will help you to decide!? All about trial + error! I'd recommend drinking plenty of water. Only having lucozade as last resort- it doesn't take much for your BG to rise! How about a tuna pasta bake 2 hours before, a protein shake once you have finished!? Carrying jelly babies in your pocket in case you get caught unawares!

Warwick DAFNE Graduate
Diabetes Australia-Vic, Melbourne, Victoria
423 posts

If you find yourself having regular hypos at the gym, then consider doing the gym before work. Often, having no QA in your body while you work out can mean a very low chance of hypos, so if you can exercise before breakfast, then there will be less need to take hypo treatment.

I cycle to work and back, and find hypos on the way to work are almost non-existent, but cycling home can be an issue. The end of the day is often troublesome for me. I am having success though at the moment by having a piece of fruit - a pear or a mandarin prior to the cycle home.