Exercise is greatly encouraged for diabetics and walking is one of the easiest forms of activity to take up. It only requires a pair of sturdy shoes. You can go out anytime, and there is no need for membership dues.
Found out the many reasons to go out for a stroll around the neighborhood.
Lowers Your Blood Sugar Levels
The most immediate benefit of walking is that it can help keep your blood glucose levels under control. First, by increasing your insulin sensitivity, so that the body’s cells can take up more energy for exercise. Second, by activating a secondary mechanism that allows muscle cells to use glucose without requiring any insulin.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Walking briskly can also get the heart pumping. This will strengthen your cardiovascular system and get more oxygenated blood flowing through your veins, both of which can help prevent some of the complications that come with diabetes, such as heart disease and neuropathy.
Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Regular exercise, like walking, can also help lower bad cholesterol levels and boost good cholesterol levels. This further prevents heart disease and the risk of stroke. Diabetics are at an increased risk for either of these health problems.
Helps You Lose Weight
Dropping a few pounds can do wonders for your blood sugar control. Even if you find traditional aerobic exercise is too intensive or time-consuming, you can still use walking to lose weight. You’ll burn a lot of calories just by going at a brisk pace. For instance, a 130-lb. woman walking at about 3 m.p.h. can burn close to 100 calories per mile. Plus, the effort will help develop your leg muscles, so you’ll burn more calories when at rest too.
[expand title=”Reference“]
Blood Glucose Control and Exercise. URL Link. Accessed May 30, 2017.
Walking for Fitness With Diabetes. URL Link. Accessed May 30, 2017.
Great News: Walking Burns More Calories Than You Thought. URL Link. Accessed May 30, 2017.
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