When it comes to weight loss and diabetes, for example, type 2 diabetes, you need to lower your blood sugar levels and lose extra pounds to improve your health.

It needs you to work closely with your diabetes educator or doctor. The reason is that your insulin, medications and blood sugar need attention as you lose weight.

You get the following health benefits if you lose 10-15 pounds. They are:

• Lower blood pressure
• Lower blood sugar
• Improved cholesterol levels
• Less stress on, hips, ankles, feet and knees
• More energy
• Brighter moods

The Recommended Balance for Weight Loss and Diabetes

While you’re losing weight, you need to ensure you control your blood sugar levels. That’s because you don’t want to keep it high or low as you change your eating habits.

For someone with diabetes, it’s recommended that you cut 500 calories per day if you want to be safe. You can trim these calories from your fat, protein and carbohydrates intake.

The USDA recommends that adults’ calories should come from:

• 10%-35% protein
• 45%-55%carbs
• 25%35% fat

Carbohydrates affect your blood sugar in a big way if you have diabetes and want to lose weight.

Eating carbs that have fiber, for example, vegetables and whole grain bread, is much better that eating starchy or sugary carbs. The reason is that fiber raises your blood sugar gradually, which prevents it from crashing.

How Exercising Can Help You

Working out enables you to keep your blood sugar levels in balance. Another reason is that exercises help you to shed excess pounds.

Consult your doctor before starting to work out. The reason is that they need to know if you have any limitations.

Consider getting at least 2.5 hours of workouts weekly. Activities such as brisk walking and moderate aerobic exercises can help to improve your health. You can divide these hours into short periods, for example, 30 minutes a day.

If you want to lose weight, you’ll need to carry out more workouts. Do strength training for at least two times a week. Consider using weight machines in your gym and your body weight by enjoying squats, push-ups and lunges or use hand weights.

Physical activities burn sugar stored in the liver, muscle and blood sugar. Watch your blood sugar levels carefully if you use diabetes medicines or insulin when you start exercising.

As you workout more regularly while keeping in touch with your doctor, you can be able to take lower doses of insulin and other medications.

Blood Sugar Is Affected By Different Types of Exercises

Your blood sugar can be lowered immediately by aerobic exercises such as treadmill workouts or running.

Intense workouts or weight lifting for extended periods may affect your body’s blood sugar levels several hours later.

If you’re driving your car after these workouts, this result can be a problem. It’s one reason why you need to check your blood sugar before you start driving.

Consider carrying snacks such as juice, soda, crackers and fruits to consume after your workouts.