Exercise Times Two

Harry, in a funny post at 25 Units to Go wrote about his lawn mowing and how it must be a “cure” for diabetes.

Exercise makes the blood glucose of most people with diabetes go low.

I always go high during exercise or physical activity, then low 4-6 hours later, for several hours. I was an exercise-hypo virgin… until today.

Today I did 2 lots of increased activity – major cleaning in the morning and gardening in the afternoon. First time ever I had a hypo during activity – the afternoon one. I was so excited! What a sight! Raking leaves, eating carbs and no bolus!

I’d suspected the opposite would happen, but couldn’t be sure, I didn’t raise my bolus like I usually would for increased activity. I thought the second lot of exercise would still raise my blood glucose, but maybe not as much as usual. Totally wrong about that. When I checked, I was 3.3 mmol/L. And I’m pretty much hypo-unaware, so didn’t feel a thing except my eyes went strange – my only occasional hint these days that I’m going hypo.

So, I get a delayed “cure”, I guess – hours later! And with two lots of more-than-usual activity in a day, I can say (only on those days) that I go low during exercise. Gosh I almost feel normal!

Only other “cure” that I know of  is red wine with dinner. Very rare, but when I partake, the only problem is that I get tipsy on half a glass, so I can never drink enough for a really effective “cure” for the next few hours.  Pity!

What’s the answer? Exercise more and drink more red wine?