KEEP ON walking. Did you know that exercise helps diabetes, even without weight loss? That's why Diabetes Queensland is urging anyone with diabetes to keep on moving.
"One of the biggest reasons people exercise is to lose weight. The trouble is, if weight loss doesn't occur (or it plateaus), many people lose their motivation and stop exercising," said Diabetes Queensland sports nutritionist Steve Flint.
He said many people are unable to be active for enough time to lose weight so don't see the point in exercise. "So what if I said that being active even without weight loss is just as beneficial for your health?"
According to Diabetes Queensland, low fitness increases the risk of developing chronic diseases as well as reducing life expectancy.
The good news is that exercise has been proven to increase our fitness and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, fatigue and depression even without weight loss. "Most people know they should be active for 30 minutes a day, preferably on most days of the week," Steve said.
He said contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be running marathons to improve your fitness. "You can improve your fitness with as little as 10 minutes of exercise a day, meaning taking the dog for a brisk walk can result in substantial health benefits. When your fitness increases, you can work up to achieving three bouts of 10 minutes (or 30 minutes continuous) a day."
Activities such as gardening, tai chi, water aerobics and even housework can all be counted as physical activity.
"The key is to find a type of exercise you enjoy and can see yourself doing long-term," Steve said. "So, rather than seeing exercise as a way to lose a few kilos, try and focus on the substantial health benefits you can achieve even without a shift in weight."
It is recommended you see your GP or an accredited exercise physiologist before starting a new exercise routine.
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