Leslie's Walk At Home

As I've said in previous posts, exercise is a must for not only controlling diabetes, but also in any lifestyle. Here are some reasons why moving in your day is so important: (some are just for diabetics, and some are for everyone :) )


1. Improve blood glucose management. Activity makes your body more sensitive to the insulin you make. Activity also burns glucose (calories). Both actions lower blood glucose. 

2. Lower blood pressure. Activity helps your heart pump stronger and slower.

3. Improve blood fats. Exercise can raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. These changes are heart healthy.

4. Take less insulin or diabetes pills. Activity can lower blood glucose and weight. Both of these may lower how much insulin or diabetes pills you need to take.

5. Lose weight and keep it off. Activity burns calories. If you burn enough calories, you'll trim a few pounds. Stay active and you'll keep the weight off.

6. Lower risk for other health problems. Reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke, some cancers, and bone loss.

7. Gain more energy and sleep better. You'll get better sleep in less time and have more energy, too.

8. Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Work out or walk off daily stress.

9. Build stronger bones and muscles. Weight-bearing activities, such as walking, make bones stronger. Strength-training activities, such as lifting light weights (or even cans of beans), make muscles strong.

10. Be more flexible. Move easier when you are active.

But getting into an exercising routine can be difficult to do. "Easier said than done" seems kind of like an understatement for many of us when it comes to this area in our lives. I believe the most important thing when it comes to physical activity is to just do what is comfortable to you. Find something that works and stick with it. I've experimented with a few different exercise videos, styles, and atmospheres. But some just don't work for me. I've found one that I really like. It provides a good workout for me and sometimes challenges me. It allows me to go at a pace that is safe and comfortable and it is easy and enjoyable for me to get a break in my day to move. 

Leslie Sansone offers a variety of videos which are entitled: "Walk at Home." She usually does miles (I have a five mile DVD) and I choose how many miles I want to do on the particular day. I encourage you to go to her website: http://www.walkathome.com/ She has a blog where you can read about exercise, healthy foods,  healthy lifestyles, and more. There are videos available online if you want to get acquainted with her program. Check it out! :)