Increase Your Muscle Mass to Lower Your Blood Sugar

According to research published by the Pennington Biomedical Center in Louisiana, exercise does more than help control your weight when it comes to dealing with diabetes. By increasing your muscle mass, you can lower your blood sugar levels since healthier muscle is more responsive to insulin.

So how much exercise should you be getting to help control your prediabetes or diabetes? The center recommends combining 30 minutes of aerobic exercise with 20 to 30 minutes of resistance training five days a week. By walking or running and introducing weights or strength training, you may see a more significant drop in your blood sugar levels.

Research from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine found that for most people, their commitment to weight loss and exercise was determined by relationships—not just gadgets like pedometers or treadmills. This means that participating in a class or workout group may help you stay on track with your fitness goals.

Other ways to get some exercise involve everyday chores or activities.

By unpacking groceries… raking leaves… pushing the lawn mower… or carrying laundry around the house, you can work toward achieving some of your daily strength-training goals. Also, walks around the house or office can be beneficial, plus frequently taking the stairs instead of the elevator.