Start with 5K steps to begin with According to American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association, 30 minutes of walk at least five days per week will help to manage type 2 diabetes. The goal should be at least 10,000 steps but you can start with minimum 5000 steps daily.
Try to work your way to 10,000 steps per day or at least 30 minutes a day to cut your risk of type 2 diabetes. If you have trouble walking 30 minutes at a time, try walking in smaller amounts throughout the day, such as 10 minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evenings.
When you have diabetes, moving more can make a huge difference to how you feel and how you manage your condition. So, whether you have type 1, type 2 or another type of diabetes, walking is a good way to get physically active and build movement into your daily routine.
The more you walk, the easier it will get, and you'll be able to add intensity by increasing your time, pace, or distance. And remember, it all adds up. If you can't walk for 30 minutes each day, try two 15-minute or three 10-minute walks during the day. And try to build up to five 30-minute walks each week.
Ten thousand steps equates to about eight kilometres, or an hour and 40 minutes walking, depending on your stride length and walking speed. But that doesn't mean you have to do it all in one walk.
Type 2 Diabetes: A 2012 study of 201 people with type 2 diabetes found that every additional 2,600 steps of walking each day was associated with a 0.2% lower A1c. For reference, 2,600 steps is a little over a mile (about 20 minutes walking at a normal pace).
Caution! High-impact, strenuous, or prolonged weight-bearing activities such as walking a long distance, running on a treadmill, jumping/hopping, exercise in heat or cold, weight-bearing exercise when you have a foot injury, open sore, or ulcer.
Keeping blood sugars from spiking is good for the body as large spikes and fast falls can raise the risk for diabetes and heart disease, experts say. Studies have shown blood sugar levels will spike within 60 to 90 minutes after eating, so it's best to get moving soon after finishing a meal.
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
When is the best time to walk for diabetes? Researchers have observed that going for an evening post-meal walk proves to be the most effective as it regulates the blood sugar level for a whole day. So, go for an afternoon/ evening walk and keep your diabetes in control.
Research has shown that when cycling and walking were compared for individuals with type 2 diabetes, it was seen that cycling has less impact on the feet and lowers blood pressure levels more than walking. Thus, cycling can be used to control blood sugar spikes. Cycling also burns more calories than walking.
A simple 5km walk is a surprisingly effective and versatile way to check most (if not all) of your fitness boxes, depending on how creative you want to get with it!! … It is long enough to reap plenty of benefits (see below) and gives you enough time to throw in some variety (interval training, anyone?)
Walking is a form of low impact, moderate intensity exercise that has a range of health benefits and few risks. As a result, the CDC recommend that most adults aim for 10,000 steps per day . For most people, this is the equivalent of about 8 kilometers, or 5 miles.
The Importance of Walking 5km or at least 30 Minutes a Day
Walking burns calories and therefore helps with weight management, maintenance and/or fat loss. Walking for at least 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk for coronary heart disease.
Adrenaline raises blood glucose levels by stimulating your liver to release glucose. The food you eat before or during a workout may also contribute to a glucose rise. Eat too many carbs before exercising, and your sweat session may not be enough to keep your blood glucose within your goal range.
Testing your blood sugar is an essential part of managing your diabetes. Test your blood sugar first thing in the morning to get a baseline reading for the day. This can help you adjust your diabetes management plan as needed.
It reduces your craving for sweets and helps moderate blood sugar levels. This reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. If you have Diabetes, it is highly recommended that you go for morning walks regularly to keep your sugar levels in check.
If you have diabetes, being active makes your body more sensitive to insulin (the hormone that allows cells in your body to use blood sugar for energy), which helps manage your diabetes. Physical activity also helps control blood sugar levels and lowers your risk of heart disease and nerve damage.
More physical activity is a way to improve diabetes, but it may be tough to lose enough weight to go into remission with workouts alone. When combined with changes to your eating, though, exercise helps. A modest, lower-calorie diet plus a big step up in burning calories could put you on the path to remission.
Exercise can help, but people with diabetes need to keep a few factors in mind to stay safe. Some people may experience hypoglycemia when they exercise, while others report blood glucose spikes if they work out at certain times of the day or for longer than usual.
Blood sugar levels were measured with fasting blood samples, blood glucose meters, and continuous glucose monitors. The researchers found that when the participants walked for 10 minutes after each meal, their blood sugar levels were an average of 12% lower than when they took a single 30-minute walk each day.
It's also best to start walking as soon as possible after finishing a meal since blood sugar levels tend to spike between 60 and 90 minutes after eating. Although you can choose to walk after any (or every) meal, many people tend to be less active after dinner, making it a good time to take a quick stroll.