Easy as a walk in the park

One of the first things I learned after I was diagnosed with diabetes was how important exercise is. Exercise helps increase insulin sensitivity. Exercise burns up excess glucose in the blood.

One of the first things I learned after I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis were techniques for human energy conservation. Don't stand when you can sit. Get a family member or hire someone to take pets for a walk.

Am I the only one who is left wondering how to exercise while resting? Do I walk the dog to lower blood sugar, or have my husband walk the dog to save energy? It took me a while before I understood the obvious answer. I do both.

On good days when my leg muscles function, I take the dog for a walk in the park. Kick the leaves. Listen to the wind. Breathe deep and enjoy the autumn air.

On bad days when my leg muscles laugh instead of moving, I rest. Enjoy the feeling of stretching out my legs. Savor tea. Read a novel. Snuggle with the cat on the sofa.

Knowing I can do both helps. It allows me to tune in to how my body is feeling and do what I need to do to care for myself. Sometimes MG needs more attention than diabetes. Sometimes it is the other way around. The tough days are when I have both high blood sugar and weak muscles. Fortunately those days are few and far between.

Today was a good walking day, so I took a walk. I even participated in the Big Blue Test.

"The Big Blue Test is a program of the Diabetes Hands Foundation that encourages people with diabetes to test their blood sugar, exercise for 14-20 minutes, test again and share their experience on BigBlueTest.org. For every test, people with diabetes in need receive life-saving supplies through Big Blue Test grants that are awarded to humanitarian diabetes charities in the US and around the world, made possible thanks to the program sponsor."

Before I took a walk my blood sugar was 144. After a 20 minute walk it was 118. Lowering my blood sugar was as easy as a walk in the park. Try it! It works!

Days like today I feel like I am headed on the right road and going in the right direction. I don't know where the path leads, but I am on the road to find out.

Photo By Steven Smith