How to Exercise With Gestational Diabetes
If you have gestational diabetes exercising will help keep blood glucose levels in check and fight insulin resistance. It is important for both the health of the baby and yourself to begin a moderate exercise routine when dealing with gestational diabetes.
- It is important to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regiment, especially while pregnant. You must be in good health in order avoid any complications.
- Maintaining proper blood sugar levels during exercise is very important. Eating a piece of fruit or a light snack such as yogurt will keep your blood sugar level. Eat a snack immediately before you begin your workout.
- Choose and exercise that you and your doctor are comfortable with. Brisk walking, swimming and even light jogging are great choices. Obtaining a gym membership gives you many more options to choose from and will inhibit boredom.
- Warming up is always best. Start off slowly for the first 5 to 10 minutes, then build up intensity or speed. The idea is to increase the heart rate gradually.
- Purchase a heart rate monitor or check your heart rate during your workout session. The target heart rate is about 30 percent lower for those that are pregnant. It is best not to exceed 140 beats per minute.
- Cool down by slowing down your workout until your heart rate drops to near normal levels. Dizziness can occur if an exercise is stopped abruptly and your heart rate has not had a chance to decrease.
- Exercise daily if possible but no less than four times per week. Exercise will help keep blood glucose levels in check.