Diabetes and Exercise

Exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle. However, you should always consult your doctor before engaging in strenuous exercise; safety is the priority.

T1D management for athletes is unique to the individual and depends on many variables including the sport, athlete’s health needs, length and duration of training, upcoming competitions, etc. The primary risks of physical activity for the T1D athlete are essentially two:

• Hypoglycemia (blood sugar is too low)

To prepare for hypoglycemia, keep at least 15-20g of fast-acting carbohydrates on hand at all times. Also note that the risk for hypoglycemia is higher if you skip a meal or exercise strenuously or for a long duration. Aerobic exercise, such as jogging, tends to drive blood glucose down.

• Hyperglycemia (blood sugar is too high)

Certain high-intensity or anaerobic exercises, such as weight lifting, can increase blood glucose. Listen to your body, check your blood glucose often, and look for patterns to help you adjust routines.

Find out the reasons for hyperglycemia and how you can have better blood sugar control while working out. Discover the benefits of anaerobic exercise (or weight lifting). Learn how to safely lose weight with Type 1. Exercise in general may increase insulin sensitivity and aid in overall better diabetes management. Peruse Beyond Type 1’s exercise resources before you start and read inspiring personal stories to get you motivated.

Get Started

Start Working out with T1D

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3 Diabetes Fitness Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

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Get Out There – The Must-know Exercise Tips

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Get Moving with T1D: Exercise Basics

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Your Child Can Exercise Safely with T1D

Learn helpful guidelines for when to reduce your child's insulin intake, increase carbohydrate, and respond to various blood sugar levels.MORE

Manage the Highs & Lows

Glucagon

Glucagon raises your blood sugar (treating hypoglycemia) while insulin lowers it (treating hyperglycemia or preventing it when taken before eating).MORE

10 Reasons For Hyperglycemia During Training

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Blood Sugar Control — During and After Exercise

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5 Moves to Bring Down Blood Sugars in a Pinch

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How To Prevent Lows During Exercise With Exercise Itself

Dr. Sheri Colberg shares her ways to prevent lows during exercise using specific exercises to do so. She has compiled these methods using research + athlete experiences.MORE

Don’t Crash: How to Manage Exercise Lows

Dive into the science behind the blood sugar drops during and after exercise so you can better understand and plan for them. MORE

Anticipate the Rise: How to Manage Exercise Induced Highs

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Reach Your Goals

How to Reach Your Body Goals without Obsessing over Weight

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How to Build Muscle with Diabetes

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Post-Workout Meals and Diabetes: How to Fuel for Success

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6 Ways to Make Sure Your Next Goal is a Success

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Ramp Up Your Exercise Performance

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Dive Deeper

The 5 Go-to Yoga Practices that Saved my Life

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Swimming and T1D

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Riding On Insulin – Tips for Skiing and Snowboarding with T1D

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Yoga for People with Diabetes

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Backpacking 101: Tips from the Experts at Connected in Motion

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Yoga for Diabetes

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The T1D Guide to Running Your First Marathon

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Personal Stories

Top Irish Cyclist Diagnosed with Type 1

After consulting with my healthcare provider on a diabetes management plan, including nutrition and exercise, I went home from the hospital and went cycling. After that, I decided I wasn’t going to ...MORE

Type 1 Training Tips from a National Champion Cyclist

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Transform Your Passion Into Character

David Lozano is a cyclist on Team Novo Nordisk, the first all diabetes professional cycling team.MORE

Life is Not a Problem to be Solved, it’s a Reality to Experience

Emanuel Mini is the first and only Latin American cyclist on Team Novo Nordisk, the first all diabetes professional cycling team.MORE

The Toughest Footrace on Earth

On March 11, 2016, Roddy Riddle, ultra-marathon runner from Scotland with Type 1 diabetes, will embark on the toughest race in the world and most certainly of his life — the 6633 Ultra Marathon of t...MORE

5 Tips for Running with Type 1 Diabetes

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How I Learned to Love my Body

For the first time in my life, I was okay listening to my body. I listened to it when it was in pain, or when it told me it needed a day off. MORE

Bolus and Barbells — Heavy Weight Champion Inspires

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Party Animal Turned Physique Competitor

I've been Type 1 diabetic for 18 years, which has had its ups and downs. My control over the last 6 years has been good due to exercise and nutrition education, but it wasn't always that way...MORE

Type 1 Powerlifter Redefines “Disability”

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What It’s Like To Be a Ballerina with Type 1

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Dancing in the Macy’s Day Parade

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A Gymnast Superstar Lands on Her Feet

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The 5 Go-to Yoga Practices that Saved my Life

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M is for Meditation

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Striving for a Personal Best

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Swimming On Insulin

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T1D Swimming Champs

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Fitness Now with T1D

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I went from “I can’t walk” to “I’m cycling to Paris”

Two days into taking insulin with no clue of what was to come next, I signed up for a 3-day event cycling from London to Paris in September 2016. At the time I had lost significant weight, had no musc...MORE