Diabetes
If
you or someone you care for has, or is at risk of developing
diabetes you are not alone. The United States is experiencing
a diabetes epidemic.
Over 18 million
Americans have diabetes & 1.3 million new cases are diagnosed
each year. It is estimated that over 5 million people are
unaware that they have the disease.
What
Is Diabetes?
Diabetes
is a disorder of metabolism--the way our bodies use food for
growth and energy.
Most of
the food we eat is broken down into glucose (sugar), which
is the main source of fuel for the body. When food is digested,
glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells
for growth and energy.
The pancreas, an organ near the stomach, makes a hormone called
insulin to help glucose get from our blood into our cells.
For glucose to get into our cells, insulin must be present
in sufficient amounts to allow this transfer to occur.
If you
have Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin
for this transfer to occur. With Type 2 diabetes your body
doesn't use its own insulin very well, a condition known as
insulin resistance. Both types of diabetes cause glucose to
build up in your blood.
Type
1 vs Type 2
Type
1 diabetes is an autoimmune
disorder, a condition whereby your own immune system attacks
and damages insulin producing cells in the pancreas. This
condition usually develops earlier in life & is often
diagnosed in children & young adults.
Living with Type 1 diabetes requires daily doses of insulin
as the pancreas can not produce enough insulin to support
the transfer of glucose into one's cells.
Type
2 diabetes effects more than
14 million Americans and is the most common form of the disease.
It is a metabolic disorder that usually develops in adults
over the age of 50. However increasing numbers of young adults
& even children that are overweight & lead sedentary
lifestyles, are are being diagnosed with this form of diabetes.
With type 2 diabetes the pancreas can produce adequate amounts
of insulin to metabolize glucose, but the body is unable to
utilize it efficiently enough to maintain normal blood glucose
levels.
Approximately 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have
type 2. This form of diabetes is associated with older age,
physical inactivity, obesity, family history of diabetes,
previous history of gestational diabetes, and ethnicity. About
80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
What
Is Pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes
is defined as having higher than normal blood sugar (glucose)
levels but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Before
developing type 2 diabetes most people will have pre-diabetes
or elevated blood glucose levels. People with diabetes must
learn to manage their diabetes & take responsibility for
their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping
blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.
Why
Exercise is so Important
According
to the American Diabetes Association, Exercise is beneficial
to the health of people with both types of diabetes. First,
exercise can take some glucose out of the blood to use for
energy during and after exercise, which lowers blood glucose
levels. Second, it helps delay or stop large blood vessel
and heart (cardiovascular) disease. Cardiovascular disease
is the leading killer of people with diabetes. All people
with diabetes should exercise to counteract their increased
risk of cardiovascular disease, to reach and maintain a healthy
weight, and to enjoy themselves. An additional benefit for
many people with diabetes is that exercise, and a healthy
diet can help them achieve good blood glucose control.
Millions
of Americans at high risk for type 2 diabetes can dramatically
lower their chances of getting the disease through diet and
exercise, according to a nationwide study at Johns Hopkins
and 26 other medical centers.
"This
is the first major trial to show that diet and exercise can
effectively delay diabetes in a diverse American population,"
says Christopher D. Saudek, M.D., director of The Johns Hopkins
Diabetes Center and president of the American Diabetes Association.
Increasing
your physical activity is one of the most helpful things you
can do for yourself, especially if you have diabetes. This
doesn't necessarily mean joining a health club, you can make
a significant difference by simply adding daily routines to
boost your activity level.
According
to diabetes expert Dr. Loren Wissner-Greene, a professor of
endocrinology at New York University Medical Center, "Type
II diabetes can be prevented, and the tools (diet & exercise)
are available to everyone."
The benefits
of 30-minutes of exercise, five days a week include:
Increased metabolism and muscle mass (which allows you to
burn extra calories even when you are not exercising)
Increased glucose uptake
Lower blood glucose levels (which can help reduce or even
eliminate your need for diabetes medication)
Improved response to insulin
Boost your ability to lose weight effectively and keep it
off
Lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure
Improve circulation
Reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke ... the leading
causes of death for people with diabetes
Everyone can take steps to protect themselves
from developing Type II diabetes, even those already showing
signs of impending disease.
Getting
Started
Check
with your doctor. Always talk
with your doctor before you start a new physical activity
program. Ask about your medications-prescription and over
the counter-and whether you should change the amount you take
before you exercise. If you have heart disease, kidney disease,
eye problems, or foot problems, ask which types of physical
activity are safe for you.
Be Fit Over Fifty can help you reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes or manage an existing condition with exercise programs that you can use in the privacy of your own home.
Regardless of your age or fitness level, Be Fit Over Fifty has a program that can enable you to better control your diabetes & maintain an independent lifestyle.
For a detailed description, click on the program below that best suits your needs.
|
|
The
Personal
Fitness program is intended for people who:
prefer a more gentle, seated program due to knee,
back or other weaknesses. It is well suited for
people that are not very active, are older, or considerably
overweight. |
| |
The
Interval Circuit
Training program is intended for people that
are more active & fit than above. It is an excellent
overall conditioning routine that can help you prevent
and or manage type 2 diabetes. This easy to follow,
45 minute workout, alternates between resistance
training, with hand weights, and 2 minute intervals
of mild Cardio movements.
|
| |
The
Tone & Sculpt
Program is an excellent 45 min. resistance training
program designed to firm & tone all major muscle
groups. The flexible program allows you to vary the
intensity to match your comfort level. It is a good
choice for those who prefer to use a walking or cardio
program on alternate days.
|
| |
The
Cardio-Strengthening
Program is a 30 minute program that combines stretching
& low-impact, weight bearing, aerobic movements.
This is a good choice for active adults familiar with
aerobic classes and or videos. It is also a good choice
to be used in conjunction with our Tone & Sculpt
program for those who prefer variety on alternate
days. For a more detailed description click the Cardio
button on your left. |
| |
This
incredibly soft, premium quality Tee
is made from 100% preshrunk heavyweight, combed, ring-spun
cotton. It's the finest tee shirt we could find to
put our logo on!
Available sizes: S, M, L, XL
Color: White |
|
