Slow Healing Cuts or Bruises May Be A Symptom of Diabetes

What do the following items have in common?

Panda bears

Old movies

Killer whales

Piano keys

Soccer balls

Newspapers

Exercise

That's right! They're all black and white. But, wait a minute. Exercise? How can exercise be black and white? When it comes to your health and well-being, there are no gray areas.

Even the simplest amount of exercise done on regular basis can improve your overall health and wellness in your diabetes. Did you know exercises done regularly help control your diabetes? Look at your choices! Diabetics can and should do these three types of exercises on a regular basis. They are aerobic, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Aerobic exercise increases the heart rate, raises the breathing rate, and works the muscles. This is for people who can withstand vigorous workouts for 5-10 minutes a day, 5 days a week. You might be surprised at how many of your diabetic friends enjoy these activities. Some examples of aerobic exercises are:

-A brisk walk

-Dancing

-Swimming or water aerobic exercises

-Ice-skating or roller-skating

-Tennis

-Stationary biking

Strength training should be done regularly because it builds strong bones and muscles that help you burn more calories than fat. Several days a week is the recommended time. Some examples of strength training are:

-Joining a strength training class to work with weights or elastic bands

-Lifting light weights in the comfort of your own home

Flexibility exercises, or stretching, keeps your joints flexible and reduces your chance of injury during any other activities. Easy stretching for 5-10 minutes helps to warm your body up to prepare for aerobic activities. Be sure to stretch after your workout because your warm muscles will stretch easier and that's when you gain the flexibility you need.

These three exercises can and will improve your health and the way you feel about life. You will receive energy, better health, and most importantly, you will get your life back!

You don't have the time or money to do some of these suggested exercises? Here are some helpful tips to get active during the day while you do your normal errands and activities:

1. Walk whenever possible.

2. Take the stairs whenever possible. Remember: safety first!

3. Work in the garden, rake leaves, or water your lawn the old-fashioned way and forget the automatic sprinklers.

4. Park at the other end of the parking lot to walk some extra steps.

5. Don't pay someone to walk your dog - you walk your dog.

6. Take the garbage out.

7. Do some housecleaning.

8. Hide your television remotes and get up to turn the channels.