Physical fitness and exercise are one of the simplest and most effective strategies to lower blood glucose levels, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and enhance general health and well-being. However, in our increasingly sedentary environment, when practically every necessary chore can be completed online, in the driver’s seat, or over the phone, exercising and being physically fit can be a difficult sell.
Inactivity and obesity enhance insulin resistance and other factors that trigger other diseases, which is regarded to be one of the main reasons for the rise in type 2 diabetes.
The good news is that it’s never too late to start moving, and exercise is one of the most straightforward strategies to begin preventing the onset of any disease. Exercise and physical fitness can improve the state of specific sections of the body, such as insulin sensitivity, lessen the risk of heart disease, and increase weight loss in those who are already candidates for major conditions like diabetes and heart failure.
Obesity and other major disorders such as diabetes are linked to a lack of exercise and physical fitness, according to the findings of a study published in 2003 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
As a result, it is critical to maintaining one’s health and physical fitness to avoid such disorders.
The First Steps
The first step in any workout program, especially if you’re a “die-hard” couch potato, is to talk with your health care practitioner.
If you have cardiac risk factors, your doctor may recommend a stress test to determine your safe activity level.
The type of fitness program you can participate in will also be influenced by the problems of certain ailments. People with diabetic retinopathy should avoid activities like weightlifting, jogging, or high-impact aerobics because they risk severe blood vessel damage and “retinal detachment.”
Patients with severe peripheral neuropathy or PN should avoid foot-intensive weight-bearing exercises like long-distance walking, running, or step aerobics in favor of low-impact sports like swimming, bicycling, and rowing, according to health experts.
If you have medical conditions that make exercise and physical fitness difficult for you, your doctor may send you to an exercise physiologist who may create a fitness program tailored to your needs.
Even if you participate in sports or work out regularly, it is still a good idea to talk to your doctor about your daily routine.
The important conclusion is that physical health and exercise do not have to be a rigorous activities or come across as aggressive. A quick nightly neighborhood walk, walking the dog, or simply taking the stairs instead of the elevator can all be part of your workout program. What matters is that you keep going forward. Every little amount helps tremendously.
Finally, you’ll learn that the many benefits that healthy eating may provide are the same benefits that physical exercise can provide.