Gym users - any tips?

[Cookie]

I've joined my local gym as I generally do NO exercise  and need to get moving!

I just wondered what strategies people use to manage their blood sugar while they're there?  Do you take less insulin if you know you are going?  Do you have a snack before you go?  Do you sip Lucozade while you're there?

I had my induction on Tues night so am going this afternoon for my first proper visit!   

[Lucy]

Trial and error really. For me the magic trick is a small banana before I go in, and I'm sorted. Without bolus. If below 5.5 I have a mouthful of lucozade. Certainly take some with you and your meter. As you don't have much practice in knowing what bg will do at the gym I'd test maybe at 20 mins after starting ish, as well as before going in, and before leaving. And if you feel strange. Good on you for joining, keep going and you will gain experience of what your bg makes of it.

[sedge]

They were brill at out health centre, first thing they said when they saw I'd ticked Diabetes on the form was - look, bring your meter and Lucozade (or whatever you use) into the gym with you, and it goes here - under the instructor's desk thingy - while you are here, that way it's safe and we both know where it is.  Please do NOT leave them in the changing room!  I burst out laughing and said Oh what a relief not to have to start explaining!

Cookie - and Lucy - or in fact anyone who is more than half hearted about exercise, there is a book called The Diabetic Athlete by Sheri R Colberg -  which I understand is pretty damn good.

[Avocado]

I'm not a Type 1 so not on insulin so don't know if you want to know my strategy ! I'll give it anyway   I don't increase carbs at all but a couple of hours before I go to the gym I make sure I have extra high fat/ high protein meal - that's normally breakfast and then I go to the gym mid morning (twice a week). Just before I leave to go to the gym I have a strong cup of coffee. I do high intensity weight lifting and need a lot of energy which I get from the fat (coconut oil) and the protein as some of it becomes bg around the 2 or 3 hour mark. I have no trouble fuelling my exercise this way. Soon after my gym session I have a high protein 'thing' which I make with eggs, avocado, berries and whey protein isolate all whizzed up. The weight lifting I do, btw, is anaerobic which helps release glycogen stores and increases insulin sensitivity - it's the kind of exercise recommend for both Type 1's and Type 2's by Dr Richard Bernstein in his book 'Diabetes Solution', but I also do it to increase bone density. I love it.