Exercise is is especially good for people with diabetes.

Walking, swimming, dancing, riding a bicycle, playing baseball, and bowling are all good ways to exercise. You can even get exercise when you clean house or work in your garden.

Benefits of exercise include:

• Helping keep your weight down.
• Helping insulin work better to lower your blood glucose.
• Helping your heart and lungs.
• Helping give you more energy.

Before you begin exercising, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may check your heart and your feet to be sure you have no special problems. If you have high blood pressure or eye problems, some exercises like weightlifting may not be safe. Your health care team can help you find safe exercises.

Try to exercise almost every day for a total of about 30 minutes. If you haven't exercised lately, begin slowly. Start with 5 to 10 minutes, and then add more time. Or exercise for 10 minutes, three times a day.

If you haven't eaten for more than an hour or if your blood glucose is less than 100 to 120, have a snack before you exercise.

When you exercise, carry glucose tablets or a carbohydrate snack with you in case you get hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Wear or carry an identification tag or card saying that you have diabetes.