Working out with diabetes.

[TW]Sponge

[TW]Sponge

[TW]Sponge

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Quick question. Anybody here type1 diabetic and go to the gym?

Looking to start getting back into it, but with my diabetes I think it would be extremely complicated with food. Some advice on google, but would rather hear from somebody in person.

Looking to get back into weights rather than cardio.
 
When I read through the Carb Backloading book (google it) it mentions lots of stuff specifically to do with diabetics. I am no expert on diabetes but it might be worth giving it a look - if I recall correctly the whole idea of CBL came from observing the results of studies where diabatics did took part in resistance training.
 
My brother is Type 1 and does weight training no problem, as long as you eat correctly before and after you should be fine.
If you have any specific questions I could ask him if you like.
 
Zefan said:
When I read through the Carb Backloading book (google it) it mentions lots of stuff specifically to do with diabetics. I am no expert on diabetes but it might be worth giving it a look - if I recall correctly the whole idea of CBL came from observing the results of studies where diabatics did took part in resistance training.
Click to expand...

Will check it out, cheers.

Fireskull said:
My brother is Type 1 and does weight training no problem, as long as you eat correctly before and after you should be fine.
If you have any specific questions I could ask him if you like.
Click to expand...

Thanks, if you could ask him what he eats before and after that would be fantastic, and does he use normal protein powder, or none at all?
 
i would think something high in complex carbs about an hour before workout would be essential to maintain sugar levels, so something like sweet potato, brown rice, porridge, etc.

add in a piece of fruit like a banana 10 mins before and you should be fine.

also take a lucozade with you as backup just in case, you feel dizzy or weird, etc whilst actually working out.

then make sure you eat a decent meal as soon as possible afterwards. you shouldn't need any shake tbh, you should be focusing on eating properly. shakes don't tend to have many carbs or sugar in them, so you may want to look at a weight gainer or all in one shake if you want to go down that route or make your own.
 
I'm type 1 and have no issues.

So long as you're sensible, are aware of what you're doing and plan ahead. You shouldn't have any problems.

It just means you need to pre-plan how intense you're workout is going to be and then obviously inject accordingly for any food you eat beforehand. And be aware of the quantity of insulin you use post workout. You can use normal protein powder, just be aware of the carbs like any other meal.

I always take lucozade with me anyway just in case. Which I presume you would do...

One thing that is interesting/useful: You can stay extremely up to date with exactly what your metabolism and insulin sensitivity are doing. Which is great for knowing how you're body is responding, what fat storage is going on etc etc

For me personally, if I have a big intense workout my insulin requirement is slashed drastically for ~48 hours. Then it returns to normal. So be aware of that when dosing yourself the next day.

I lift 3 times a week, play basketball 3 times a week and eat a crap load of food like a normal person with no problems.
 
Oh and if you're managing your blood sugar correctly, and haven't injected in the 3/4 hours before you workout. You shouldn't HAVE to take on any additional carbs

Most of the time I go to the gym after work at 6PM, not having eaten/injected since lunch at 2PM. And I'm fine. Unless of course you're on Glargine (or similar) and have taken too much
 
I think you'll find to start with you'll have high BGs while lifting. The liver normally dumps when the muscles say 'stressed here' (I'm sure that isn't how the process really works but same outcome) If you don't have an active rapid insulins working and BG is at target you should be able to workout without doing anything. Best to test before, mid, and after of coarse. The main BG lowering effect will be after, next 24hrs for me. It depends on which insulins you use but I lower my background (basal) insulin about 50% that night. I'd talk with your DNS about it if you want some more advice. It is a bit suck it and see how you react.
 
Yea that's true.

Depending on your storage level/background insulin levels/workout intensity/genetics you might actually end up with a higher blood sugar level when you leave the gym

The one important question we haven't asked is: What insulin regime are you on?

If you're on an old fashioned system it might be complicated

But if you're on a modern system of 24 hour long lasting base + a booster for when you eat (e.g Novo Rapid), then it's not complicated at all. You just need to be mindful/sensible.

You'll only know for sure by experimenting, as everyone's body will react slightly differently. But it doesn't need to be complicated.

Obvious cases are, if you smash a bunch of Iron and then only eat chicken when you get home. You probably aren't going to need a whole lot of insulin...
 
Wow thanks for the awesome advice guys.

I'm on Novo Rapid with meals, and Lantus for my 24hr insulin.

I don't really carb count as such, I just usually have around 3 units of novorapid for any normal meal, and 5-6 if I know it's carb heavy (takeaways etc...)

Maybe it's time to start?
 
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[TW]Sponge;24839395 said:
Wow thanks for the awesome advice guys.

I'm on Novo Rapid with meals, and Lantus for my 24hr insulin.

I don't really carb count as such, I just usually have around 3 units of novorapid for any normal meal, and 5-6 if I know it's carb heavy (takeaways etc...)

Maybe it's time to start?
Click to expand...

Wow you ratios or meals must be tiny if that works for you. I'm closer to 20-30 for a take away. Might be worth seeing if your hospital does DAFNE or another carb counting course.
 
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