As a Type 2 diabetic, you are aware what you eat makes a big difference in controlling your blood sugar.
When you take part in physical activity or exercise, after a few months your metabolism actually changes, and you burn more calories all through the day.
When you exercise on a regular basis, you may also have less trouble changing your eating style.
Learn more about how exercise can help your diabetes, and pick up some tips on how to get started! Exercise is beneficial for diabetics in several ways...
Exercise lowers your blood sugar.
When you exercise, your body uses sugar in your bloodstream for energy.
Even without insulin, your body is able to move the sugar into the cells where it's needed during exercise.
So, exercising is a great way to lower your blood sugar.
Exercise helps your body respond to insulin.
Over time, exercise can also help your body become more sensitive to insulin.
This means you will be able to keep your blood sugar steady, and may be able to stop taking insulin injections and eventually your oral diabetes medications.
Exercise can also help you lose weight.
Weight loss has been shown to be the best way to reverse Type 2 diabetes.
Following a healthy meal plan will help you lose weight.
Adding in exercise is even better, as you'll burn more calories.
The key to losing weight is burning more calories than you take in.
As you engage in exercise as well as burning body fat you will burn cholesterol.
If you're aren't used to exercising, just getting started can be the hardest part.
To overcome common barriers to being active, try to...

1. set a goal.
   Decide on a specific goal of what you would like to accomplish, like shooting hoops outside for 20 minutes three days a week.
   
2. write it down.
   Write down your goal and put it somewhere you'll see it often, like on your computer.
   
3. find a buddy.
   Make plans to meet up with a family member - it will be much harder to skip your workout when you have a friend waiting for you!
4. take a class.
   If you're starting out, find a beginner-level class in yoga, strength training, swimming, or whatever interests you.
   You may also be able to find classes specific to people with diabetes.
   
5. set aside time for yourself.
   Go through your schedule and pencil in a time for exercise.
   To start with, it could be as simple as a 10-minute walk during your lunch break.
   

You will also want to check with your doctor before commencing exercise if you haven't been active recently.
Your doctor can help you figure out how to time your carbohydrate intake and insulin injections to make sure your blood sugar doesn't go too low during and after exercise.
Your doctor will also let you know if there are any types of exercise not safe for you to participate in.
For example, if you have foot complications, high-impact exercise usually isn't recommended.