Thoughts about diabetes and being outside
About a year ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Turns out that not taking care of yourself or going to a doctor for 4 or 5 years means that you can go from not having diabetes to needing insulin in one appointment.
So, I have spent a year learning a lot about diabetes and about my body and how it responds to food, exercise, medication. It's been challenging but also kind of fascinating.
One of the biggest concerns I had was how this diagnosis might interfere with my new resolve to get outside more. I had thousands of questions and I have spent the last year researching, trying, and figuring out how to be OK outside with diabetes.
Here are some of the questions I had and what I have figured out. Please leave your ideas in the comments!
1. Can you still do outdoor activities?
Yes! The first thing my doctor told me was that exercise is my new best friend. And while I DO go to the gym (when I can convince myself), I much prefer to be outdoors for my exercise. It makes me mad sometimes but it really is true that exercise is the key for me to tight control over my blood sugar. I also experienced what many people do- I lost a LOT of weight before my diagnosis and then when I started taking insulin I gained it all back, plus some. Trying to lose weight while keeping my blood sugar numbers steady has been a real challenge (but a slowly achievable one- I am making progress) and exercise is the biggest helper in this. So, I say if you want to get out and do, get out and do!
2. What about supplies?
This one was a hard one for me. I currently use a freestyle libre CGM and insulin pens for MDI. I am in the process of trying to get a pump and I will update when that happens. The big questions for me were- can I use my libre while kayaking, will my insulin freeze or boil if I have it with me outdoors, will my libre even work if I am cold. Here's what I've found- there are a million products on the market for diabetics and many of them are helpful! If I am doing anything that is likely to be sweaty or wet (so basically anything! I am a sweaty person) I make sure to cover my libre with a patch. I was using simpatch but can't get them anymore so now I'm using Not Just A Patch from Amazon. I like that it is not adhesive in the center so if the NJAP comes off, it doesn't pull the libre with it so I can change the patch and not lose the sensor. For hot days, a frio cooler is a good thing for my insulin. I can't leave my insulin in the car on a hot day- it will get too hot. But in my backpack with a frio has worked just fine. In addition to my insulin supplies, I also carry a backup meter, glucose tabs, and gummy bears.
3. Gear
I have always been a bit of a gearhead, so I may be biased here. But to me, it is really important to treat your body well when you have diabetes. I have to carry more stuff with me so I make sure to have a really light, comfortable backpack. I recently picked up a sling backpack at L.L. Bean to try- I love the idea of not taking a backpack on and off over my libre sensor- that's how I lost one on a recent biking trip. I haven't tried it out yet, but I will post about it when I do. I also make sure to have good layers of clothing for the day- I have all kinds of base layers, fleece layers, and shell layers to mix and match. Sometimes trying to buy athletic wear in plus sizes is a challenge but I have found that more manufacturers are coming through for us lately and I can also wear mens sizes in some outdoor brands. Because we live in New Hampshire, it is worth it for me to find some good ski pants from Columbia outdoors; if I am not comfortable I will not want to stay outside and be active. The big splurge for me is shoes. I want the best, most comfortable, most supportive shoe I can find. So far, I have not had much in the way of neuropathy, but because of the common diabetes foot problems, I want to make my feet a priority. I'm currently on a quest for new shoes and I will write about that separately. Some other important gear for me includes a dry bag for my phone because who knows when I will need to call for help, a small first aid kit, and I always have sunscreen and bug spray no matter what.
4. Planning
I always pack more snacks than I need, have a small first aid kit, and make sure that anywhere I an planning to go does have cell service. This means a few places I'd like to go are not options for me and I am OK with that for now. As I am more comfortable with the disease, this may change but for now, I stick to well-known and pretty high-traffic areas.
5. Do you ever go low from exercise?
Well- sort of. I have gone lower because of exercise but because I have a glucose monitor, I've never gotten to the point where I was worried. When my monitor tells me I'm headed low, I eat a snack or a piece of candy and keep going. I make sure to check the monitor frequently that day, even after the activity is over and sometimes I won't need to bolus as much insulin with a meal but I have had no problems with lows.
What other questions, advice or suggestions do you have?
So, I have spent a year learning a lot about diabetes and about my body and how it responds to food, exercise, medication. It's been challenging but also kind of fascinating.
One of the biggest concerns I had was how this diagnosis might interfere with my new resolve to get outside more. I had thousands of questions and I have spent the last year researching, trying, and figuring out how to be OK outside with diabetes.
Here are some of the questions I had and what I have figured out. Please leave your ideas in the comments!
1. Can you still do outdoor activities?
Yes! The first thing my doctor told me was that exercise is my new best friend. And while I DO go to the gym (when I can convince myself), I much prefer to be outdoors for my exercise. It makes me mad sometimes but it really is true that exercise is the key for me to tight control over my blood sugar. I also experienced what many people do- I lost a LOT of weight before my diagnosis and then when I started taking insulin I gained it all back, plus some. Trying to lose weight while keeping my blood sugar numbers steady has been a real challenge (but a slowly achievable one- I am making progress) and exercise is the biggest helper in this. So, I say if you want to get out and do, get out and do!
2. What about supplies?
This one was a hard one for me. I currently use a freestyle libre CGM and insulin pens for MDI. I am in the process of trying to get a pump and I will update when that happens. The big questions for me were- can I use my libre while kayaking, will my insulin freeze or boil if I have it with me outdoors, will my libre even work if I am cold. Here's what I've found- there are a million products on the market for diabetics and many of them are helpful! If I am doing anything that is likely to be sweaty or wet (so basically anything! I am a sweaty person) I make sure to cover my libre with a patch. I was using simpatch but can't get them anymore so now I'm using Not Just A Patch from Amazon. I like that it is not adhesive in the center so if the NJAP comes off, it doesn't pull the libre with it so I can change the patch and not lose the sensor. For hot days, a frio cooler is a good thing for my insulin. I can't leave my insulin in the car on a hot day- it will get too hot. But in my backpack with a frio has worked just fine. In addition to my insulin supplies, I also carry a backup meter, glucose tabs, and gummy bears.
3. Gear
I have always been a bit of a gearhead, so I may be biased here. But to me, it is really important to treat your body well when you have diabetes. I have to carry more stuff with me so I make sure to have a really light, comfortable backpack. I recently picked up a sling backpack at L.L. Bean to try- I love the idea of not taking a backpack on and off over my libre sensor- that's how I lost one on a recent biking trip. I haven't tried it out yet, but I will post about it when I do. I also make sure to have good layers of clothing for the day- I have all kinds of base layers, fleece layers, and shell layers to mix and match. Sometimes trying to buy athletic wear in plus sizes is a challenge but I have found that more manufacturers are coming through for us lately and I can also wear mens sizes in some outdoor brands. Because we live in New Hampshire, it is worth it for me to find some good ski pants from Columbia outdoors; if I am not comfortable I will not want to stay outside and be active. The big splurge for me is shoes. I want the best, most comfortable, most supportive shoe I can find. So far, I have not had much in the way of neuropathy, but because of the common diabetes foot problems, I want to make my feet a priority. I'm currently on a quest for new shoes and I will write about that separately. Some other important gear for me includes a dry bag for my phone because who knows when I will need to call for help, a small first aid kit, and I always have sunscreen and bug spray no matter what.
4. Planning
I always pack more snacks than I need, have a small first aid kit, and make sure that anywhere I an planning to go does have cell service. This means a few places I'd like to go are not options for me and I am OK with that for now. As I am more comfortable with the disease, this may change but for now, I stick to well-known and pretty high-traffic areas.
5. Do you ever go low from exercise?
Well- sort of. I have gone lower because of exercise but because I have a glucose monitor, I've never gotten to the point where I was worried. When my monitor tells me I'm headed low, I eat a snack or a piece of candy and keep going. I make sure to check the monitor frequently that day, even after the activity is over and sometimes I won't need to bolus as much insulin with a meal but I have had no problems with lows.
What other questions, advice or suggestions do you have?
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