One of the best aspects of exercising as an adult is that, unlike gym class, you can do it anyway you want. No one is telling you how and when to do it. Running, biking, tennis, weight lifting, yoga, take your pick. You can even walk your way to health and fitness. As Nike tells us "Just do it." If you really hate to exercise, consider buying "I Hate to Exercise Book for People with Diabetes" from the American Diabetes Association.
For me, it's swimming. Always has been and I suspect always will be my choice of aerobic activity. Until a few years ago, I had no idea why I am so attracted to fitness in the water. As noted in the book, medical evidence now exists that blue-eyed blonds are genetically predisposed to swimming.
And, so in order to keep my 2007 resolution on fitness, I decided to join the local masters swim team and set a goal of competing in my first meet in May. Setting that as a target helps me to comply with exercise guidelines set forth in the NIH's Diabetes Prevention Program. It also pushes me to go over my limits and experience again neuropathic pain and complications.
NO, I am not doing that because I enjoy pain. I am a wimp. Rather, I want to further my understanding of the Type 4 Diabetes link, study the fluctuations in glucose levels and develop more comprehensive profiles that I can share.
If you are into sports and exercise, take a look at the website for the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association.
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