7 ways of staying motivated to exercise if you suffer from diabetes

Even if you know the many advantages of the exercise, this does not always allow you to follow your training plan. If you find it hard to stay motivated, try these seven tips to maintain your motivation for exercise and make physical activity a permanent part of your diabetes management routine.

1. Make baby steps when you start an exercise routine

2. Choose a physical activity that you like to do

3. Use the Buddy system to increase responsibility

Try to do an exercise lesson with a friend, meet in person or join a live course online. An exercise partner helps time spending more quickly and does not make the spirit of the effort you need, explains Rob Powell, PHD, CDCE, director of the exercise science program at Marshall University in Huntington, Virginia-Western. Choose a friend who will keep you responsible and encourage you to present yourself for your session.

4. Reward yourself with healthy treats for sweating

Celebrate the milestones, as you stick to your plan for a week, a month, two months, etc. Try to avoid celebrating with food. Instead, use it as an opportunity to pass your fitness goals to the next level. Treat yourself to an online purchase trip for new training clothes or subscribe to an online online fitness course.

5. Plan your sweat sessions officially

6. Prepare your training one day in advance

Arrange your clothes for your morning training before going to bed at night, or even sleeping in it. You can also pack your gym bag so you can just enter and go when you go in the morning. “If your gym clothes are stuck at the back of your cupboard, you are less likely to reach them,” said Dr. Powell.

7. Check your blood sugar before and after the exercise

This shows you how much exercise helps improve blood sugar management. “When you see how your body reacts to different types of exercises and the length and intensity of your training, it can motivate you to stick to what works,” explains Weisenberger. Also be sure to keep glucose tablets or juice boxes in your gym bag or your locker in order to be able to approach an episode of low blood sugar if you occur. And stop if you feel trembling or anxious. Make sure you talk to your doctor about the appropriate levels related to the exercise and how to avoid low blood sugar during your training.