I usually exercise shortly after a meal and will somewhat reduce my bolus. I also turn on my exercise mode.
May 27
Managing blood sugar during exercise with type 1 diabetes takes some planning, but it's absolutely doable. Here's a solid overview of strategies to help prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity:
Before Exercise
- Talk to your healthcare team about adjusting insulin doses before working out
- Check your blood glucose Show Full Answer
Managing blood sugar during exercise with type 1 diabetes takes some planning, but it's absolutely doable. Here's a solid overview of strategies to help prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity:
Before Exercise
- Talk to your healthcare team about adjusting insulin doses before working out
- Check your blood glucose levels before starting any activity
- Have a plan ready for different blood sugar scenarios
During Exercise
- Keep fast-acting carbs nearby, like glucose tablets, fruit juice, or a banana
- Consume a digestible carbohydrate roughly every 30 minutes during activity
- Stay well hydrated — even mild dehydration can affect blood sugar
- Make sure a coach, trainer, or workout buddy knows the warning signs of low blood sugar After Exercise
- Monitor blood sugar levels closely, as physical activity can affect levels for several hours post-workout
- Consider a snack with slow-acting carbohydrates after a long or intense session (with your doctor's guidance)
Know Your Exercise Type
Different workouts affect blood sugar differently:
- Aerobic exercise (running, swimming, cycling) tends to *lower* blood sugar
- Anaerobic exercise (weightlifting, sprinting) tends to *raise* blood sugar
- Mixed exercise (soccer, basketball) can do both, making it trickier to manage
Understanding how your body responds to each type helps with planning insulin and carb intake around workouts.
May 13
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