Brett Moulton is a guest ‘Expert’ on outdoors activities and living an active lifestyle with Type 1 diabetes through proper training and planning. To read his full ‘Experts’ bio, click here.
Throughout the year it is important to re-establish goals and resolutions regarding our health. As members of the diabetic community, the importance is magnified by our need to engage in an exercise program that keeps us fit and helps to stabilize our blood sugars, while minimizing the potential for future complications.
Exercise is a relative term that for some might entail walking up a flight of stairs and for others might involve a strenuous mountain climb. When beginning an exercise program you should start slowly and get medical guidance from a physician to determine the specific program that is right for you.
The first step is to focus on finding activities that you enjoy so you look forward to engaging in them without hesitation. If you don’t enjoy the activity, chances are you won’t be consistent with your workout. Consistency is a key element to better control and overall health and ensures that you reap the benefits of regularly improving your overall fitness level. Benefits can include lower blood sugars and A1C’s, lower stress levels, reduced blood pressure, and even a better night’s sleep.
Once you decide on activities that excite and interest you, the next step is establishing your specific goals (or resolutions). Break down your “goal” by week, then by month, and finally by year. For example, I want to hike a mountain 2 times per week (on my days off) which equates to 9 times a month and 108 times per year. Make a daily “to do” list and schedule the specific days and times that you will exercise each week. I use a small pocket calendar to record each time I engage in one of my activities. I keep it by the phone and include the number of the climb so I can compare my progress to my overall goal, and any informational tidbit that I might want to remember (where I climbed or possibly who I climbed with). It is important to track (write down) your progress to keep you engaged and on track to meet your goal. Being “goal driven” means that if I see I am behind on my monthly activities, I adjust my strategy to attempt to catch back up. Occasionally I simply have to re-adjust my goal to make it achievable.
Key to success is having a “goal” to strive for with an activity that you truly look forward to engaging in. It is also important to make your exercise program is a priority among your weekly tasks, not something you will do “if” you have the extra time. It needs to be planned into your day so when the scheduled time arrives you look forward to engaging in it. Over the years I have found that the more I exercise the more devoted I become to doing it. Over time your workout becomes a “healthy addiction.” Don’t wait, get started today!
(Each of the Expert columns are based on the experiences and knowledge of the individual columnists. The columns are meant to provide you with helpful information, but are not meant to be considered direct advice. Before making any decisions that could affect your health, make sure to contact a physician or the appropriate medical professional.)
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