Before You Start Your Diabetes Exercise Plan

Fitness plays a special role for people who have diabetes. Being fit means becoming healthier by adding activity to your day. Talk to your healthcare provider before getting started. He or she may want you to have a checkup before you become more active. Also, having certain tests first helps you and your healthcare provider learn how you will respond to a fitness program.

Your checkup

A medical checkup helps ensure that your fitness plan is within your capabilities and safe for you to perform with minimal risk to your health.  As part of your checkup:

• You may have a test called a hemoglobin A1C. The A1C test measures your average glucose (sugar) level over 2 to 3 months. It is given as a percentage or as a number representing your estimated Average Glucose (eAG). Your healthcare provider will explain what the numbers mean for you.
• Your healthcare provider may check the health of your heart with a resting electrocardiogram. Diabetes can cause heart problems, but a fitness program may help prevent these heart problems by improving your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
• Your healthcare provider may check the health of your feet. People who have diabetes can have problems with their feet. Take time to find shoes that will support your feet well while you exercise. 

If you have an exercise stress test

An exercise stress test can show how your heart responds to activity and what level of exercise is right for you. You will have small electrodes placed on your chest. You will then walk on a treadmill or ride an exercise bike while your heart rate is monitored. If you have this test, your healthcare provider will give you more details.