working out when sugar is high

[adolfeto]

I've been a type two diabetic since 1993. I've been able to control my sugar with oral meds, diet and exersize. Although I've used many oral meds, through exersize and weight loss I brought my sugar down and I'm currently only using glyburide.

Sometimes my sugar is high but I workout anyway. My workouts can be strenuous with weights and areobics. Someone told me I shouldn't workout if my sugar is high. This morning it was 245. I know I have to get it down but should I workout anyway or put that on hold til my sugar is lower?

[Vytautas]

Hi, adolfeto, and welcome to the forum.

If you haven't figured that out yet I suggest you to try it out once. It's hard for me to give a very accurate answer, because it depends on the how high the BG is and on independant organismns. Some people go with very high sugar levels and some find it that it tends to rise during workouts. 245 in other units is ~13 (for others like me who are used to the other system) and is not a very high sugar level considering workout. It shouldn't be bad if you work out with that. However it is said that when sugar levels are above or arround 300 it is possible that there will be a rise if you work out.

Difficult to say how as a T2 you should go about doing this, but if you have ~300 and more you should try to lower it before working out, but don't over do it.

On the other hand if you have a low, remember to not only to eat carbs, but check the type you eat. I suggest getting it up with 1/3 of what you eat as quick carbs and the rest with long term carbs (bread and such).

Hm... Not sure what I've missed, ask if you have more questions.

[karen1976]

Hi Adolfeto,

I'm Type 1 and work out regularly as well -- weights and cardio 5x a week. While everybody is different, I have -- personally -- rarely experienced highs while working out.

In fact, the harder I work out, the more I seem to burn. At the diabetic clinic here, they have advised me to have some juice before a workout to keep my levels a little high and not go low during the hour I'm at the gym. I test my blood both before and after a workout. Post workout, I have a protein shake with frozen yogurt which not only replenishes my protein, but my carbohydrates as well. Through experience, I've learned what quantities work best for me to balance my blood sugar levels.

Remember, the effects of a strenuous workout can be felt from 24 to as long as 36 hours after a workout -- so be sure to test regularly. Perhaps you might be a little high IMMEDIATELY following the workout, due to the stress on your body and the adrenaline, but it may start to fall 1/2 hour to 45 minutes after that. I advise talking with your diabetic clinic or nurse to see which approach they would best like you to take... and pay attention to patterns with your blood sugar levels and working out.

Perhaps, if you start off with higher levels, you are in that percentage of the population that is best working out on an empty stomach (I can't do that or I go low). Keep a journal so that you can see your patterns -- always take a drink/sugar candies with you to the gym in case you DO go low while you're there (quick to raise it), and continue to monitor blood sugar levels.

Good luck!

[Blair]

The best advice has already been given (thank you Vyatautas and Karen ) and I just wanted to say "welcome to the forum", Adolfeto