About P.A.D.: Diabetes and P.A.D.: Physical Activity
Physical Activity:
Physical Activity
Daily physical activity helps lower your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also helps keep your joints flexible, strengthens your heart and bones, tones your muscles and helps you deal with stress.
Your health care team may want to check your heart function before you start doing new activities. They can help you plan an exercise program that is best for you, especially if you have pain in your legs when walking or doing physical activity. Use these tips for adding more activity to your daily routine.
Be active throughout the day. Do some gardening or wash your car by hand. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get off the bus one or two stops before your office and walk the rest of the way. Walk around while you talk on the phone.
- Aerobic exercise. Examples include: walking briskly, dancing, rowing, swimming, water aerobics or riding a bicycle. Try to work up to about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
- Strength training. Try to lift weights a few times a week. The weights do not have to be heavy.
- Stretching. Start each day by stretching your whole body, especially your arms and legs. During the day, take a stretch break from working at your desk to refresh yourself and reduce stress.
