There are lots of reasons for why you would want to stay physically active and exercise, and not all of them relate to diabetes. Regular exercise can improve your energy level, increase your strength and flexibility, help you lose weight, reduce stress and generally secure your long-term health. These things are true for nearly everybody who engages in extended physical activity on a daily basis. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, however, exercise takes on a special importance. It forms one of the central components of your strategy for controlling your blood sugar level. It will also ensure that you lower your risk for complications, such as heart disease and nerve damage, which you are more likely to experience as a person with diabetes. Establishing an exercise routine, one that you can commit to, is one of the most important steps you should take after being diagnosed.

Your exercise regimen does not necessarily have to be intense, just consistent. If you are able to stick to 30 minutes a day, four or five days a week, then you will have set yourself on the right course. It is important to engage in something that you enjoy, as well as something that will elevate your heart rate and get you breathing. Activities for exercise can include:

    * Walking vigorously

    * Swimming

    * Bicycling

    * Basketball

    * Aerobics

    * Dancing

    * Climbing stairs

    * Volleyball

    * Skating

    * Tennis

As you participate in activities like these, be sure to monitor your blood sugar level and be careful of injuring yourself. If you can commit to two weeks of consistent exercise, you will most likely find yourself with a healthy new habit.