Find Ways to Stay Motivated
It’s easy to get started with a new exercise routine, but it's not so easy to stay that way. And even though you may realize working out is good for your diabetes—it’s simply not an enjoyable activity for everyone. If you know you’re one of those people, make an effort to put methods in place to keep your motivation up.
Perhaps most importantly, remember all the good things you’re doing for your body. Diabetes increases the risk of a wide variety of health issues, but exercise can decrease that risk significantly. Physical activity can improve circulation, reduce the chance of cardiovascular disease, help you maintain a healthy weight, and even make your diabetes easier to control. Remind yourself of this frequently—and remind yourself of what an awesome job you’re doing.
Find a workout buddy to spur you on. Someone who is at a relatively similar level of physical abilities means you can more easily match your workout. However, working out with someone more advanced than you may provide that extra push you need to keep improving. If you’re prone to blood sugar crashes or are concerned about something happening while exercising, make sure your partner knows what to do in an emergency.
Other ways to keep your motivation up include making a plan. Set up goals, and devise a plan to achieve them. Keeping an exercise journal will let you see how far you’ve come and how well you’re doing—or help you notice when you might not be doing as well as you’d like to be.
Signing up for a class or getting a gym membership means you’re paying to do something, which can help encourage you to stay involved, so you aren’t wasting money. Additionally, working with a professional trainer in a gym setting may decrease your risk of injury—especially if they have experience working with diabetes patients.
Did you know...
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Are you currently or often tired? As contradictory as it may sound, one of the best things you can do is exercise! It gives you more energy by improving your blood flow and increasing your oxygen throughout your body. You don't need to do much; a brisk walk is all it takes!
- Starting to feel claustrophobic? The smells of apples may help keep your claustrophobic feelings at bay according to a 1995 study by Dr. Alan Hirsch. Green apples, specifically, helped people change their perception of their space. Maybe they thought of expansive apple orchards? Cucumbers and barbecue made the feelings worse.
- Do you know what the strongest muscle in your body is? No, it’s not your biceps or your thighs. It’s actually in your head. The masseter is a muscle in the jaw that is used when chewing. When all of the muscles of the jaw work together, they can exert a force as strong as 200 pounds on the molars. That’s some serious pressure.