Physical Activity
Physical activity is good for both your body and your mind.
Regular physical activity not only improves the quality of your daily life, but is also beneficial in the management of chronic diseases.
Exercise controls weight
Exercise can help prevent weight gain or maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories.
Exercise improves blood sugar control
Exercise lowers blood sugar levels by boosting your body’s sensitivity to insulin, thus allowing your muscle cells to take up the blood glucose. The contraction of your muscles also allows your cells to take up glucose without the help of insulin.
Exercise can also help prevent or manage a wide range of health concerns such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Exercise improves mood
Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that can leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious.
Exercise boosts energy levels
Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. When your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores.
The Health Promotion Board recommends that we aim for 150 minutes of physical activity every week.
Tips to increase your physical activity levels
Track your steps - setting a target and keeping track of it will help you to stay on track
Take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator
Get off the train or bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way
Plan for days when you’re going to exercise - you’re more likely to do it if you’ve made plans for it
Lift weights - resistance training helps maintain muscle mass and strength as we age
Preventing hypoglycaemia
If you are on insulin or taking insulin secretagogues (oral diabetes pills that cause your pancreas to make more insulin), you may be at risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) if your medication dose or carbohydrate intake is not adjusted with exercise.
Checking your blood sugar levels before doing any physical activity is important to prevent hypoglycaemia.
Talk to your care team (doctor, health coach) to find out if you are at risk of hypoglycaemia.