• For Healthcare Professionals >>
    • Diabetes and Exercise
    Font Size  

    Exercise Tips

    Just 30 minutes a day of activity can help lower your blood sugar levels. You can even do it in three 10-minute bursts.

    You should first talk to your doctor about which physical activities are right for you. Remember to check your blood sugar before, during and after you exercise.

    Walking

    Perhaps the cheapest and easiest way to get started on a fitness routine is to get walking.

    Take a tour at: www.americaonthemove.org and take that extra step.

    • Walk around the block once before getting the mail.
    • Walk to your neighbor's house instead of phoning.
    • Use the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
    • Walk for 10 minutes during your lunch break.

    Here's the number of calories you may burn with 30 minutes of walking:

    If you weigh: 150 lbs.............155 calories

    If you weigh: 200 lbs.............207 calories

    Dancing

    Dancing is a fun and social way to stay active. Call your local community center and ask if they offer classes.

    • Turn on your favorite song and start swinging.
    • Show everybody how you can cut a rug.
    • Sign up for ballroom dancing, tap or jazz classes.

    Here's the number of calories you may burn with 30 minutes of dancing:

    If you weigh: 150 lbs............150 calories

    If you weigh: 200 lbs............180 calories

    Gardening

    Gardening, which involves squatting, lifting and digging, can help you stay active.

    • Weed the beds or lay sod.
    • Mow the grass or rake the leaves.
    • Plant a flower or vegetable garden.

    Here's the number of calories you may burn with 30 minutes of gardening:

    If you weigh: 150 lbs............157 calories

    If you weigh: 200 lbs............210 calories

    Yoga

    Wide-Legged Forward Bend

    • Stand two feet in front of chair, with feet as wide as comfortable.
    • Turn toes slightly inward and contract leg muscles, keeping legs straight.
    • Bend forward from hips, keeping back straight, and place hands on back of chair.
    • Keeping head in line with spine, hold for 20 seconds.

    Calf Stretch

    • Start on all fours, hands beneath shoulders and knees beneath hips.
    • Bring left knee to chest and then extend leg behind you, placing toes on floor.
    • Shift left foot forward an inch and then press left heel back as if you are trying to touch it to the floor (it won't reach).
    • Hold for 20 seconds, return to all fours and repeat with right leg.



    Please see important safety information below for AVANDIA, AVANDAMET and AVANDARYL, including who should not take AVANDIA, AVANDAMET or AVANDARYL. See also link to Medication Guides for AVANDIA, AVANDAMET and AVANDARYL.

    AVANDIA (rosiglitazone maleate)

    Prescription AVANDIA, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Taking AVANDIA with insulin or nitrates is not recommended.

    AVANDIA can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart) you cannot be started on AVANDIA. AVANDIA is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling) even if these symptoms are not severe.

    AVANDIA may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

    If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take AVANDIA, tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

    Before taking AVANDIA, review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

    • Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
    • Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
    • Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
    • Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN® (troglitazone).
    • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
    • Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

    Women taking AVANDIA should know that AVANDIA may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking AVANDIA. Other possible side effects of AVANDIA include anemia and hypoglycemia. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start AVANDIA and during treatment as needed.

    For more information about AVANDIA, please see Medication Guide. For further information on AVANDIA, please see full Prescribing Information.

    AVANDAMET (rosiglitazone maleate/metformin HCl)

    Prescription AVANDAMET, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCl. Taking AVANDAMET with insulin or nitrates is not recommended.

    AVANDAMET can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on AVANDAMET. AVANDAMET is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling), even if these symptoms are not severe.

    Rosiglitazone, one of the medicines in AVANDAMET, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

    If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take AVANDAMET, tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

    A small number of people who have taken metformin, another medicine in AVANDAMET, have developed a rare yet serious condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood) that can cause death. You have a higher chance of getting lactic acidosis if you have kidney problems; have liver problems; drink alcohol very often or excessively; get dehydrated, as when you are sick with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea; or you are going to have surgery. Tell your doctor if you have any of these problems before or while taking AVANDAMET. You should not take AVANDAMET if you have kidney problems or metabolic acidosis. Tests should be used to check your kidneys and liver before and while taking AVANDAMET. If you are taking medicines for heart failure, you may be at increased risk of lactic acidosis.

    Call your doctor right away if you feel any of the following, which may be signs of lactic acidosis: very weak or tired; you have unusual (not normal) muscle pain; you have stomach pains; you have trouble breathing; you feel dizzy or lightheaded; or you have a slow or irregular heartbeat.

    Before taking AVANDAMET, review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

    • Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
    • Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
    • Have kidney problems.
    • Are going to have dye injected into a vein for an X-ray, CAT scan, heart study, or other type of scanning.
    • Drink a lot of alcohol.
    • Develop a serious condition such as a heart attack, severe infection, or a stroke.
    • Are 80 years of age or older.
    • Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
    • Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN® (troglitazone).
    • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
    • Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

    Women taking AVANDAMET should know that AVANDAMET may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking AVANDAMET. Other possible side effects of AVANDAMET include anemia, hypoglycemia, diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start AVANDAMET and during treatment as needed.

    For more information about AVANDAMET, please see Medication Guide. For further information on AVANDAMET, please see full Prescribing Information.

    AVANDARYL (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride)

    Prescription AVANDARYL, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. AVANDARYL is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride. Taking rosiglitazone with insulin or with nitrates is not recommended.

    AVANDARYL can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on AVANDARYL. AVANDARYL is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling), even if these symptoms are not severe.

    Rosiglitazone, one of the medicines in AVANDARYL, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

    If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take AVANDARYL, tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

    AVANDARYL may cause low blood sugar. Lightheadedness, dizziness, shakiness or hunger may mean that your blood sugar is too low. If you have kidney problems, you may need a lower dose of AVANDARYL to reduce problems with low blood sugar. Talk to your doctor if low blood sugar is a problem for you.

    Before taking AVANDARYL, review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

    • Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
    • Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
    • Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
    • Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN® (troglitazone).
    • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
    • Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

    Women taking AVANDARYL should know that AVANDARYL may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking AVANDARYL. Another possible side effect of AVANDARYL is anemia. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start AVANDARYL and during treatment as needed.

    For more information about AVANDARYL, please see Medication Guide. For further information on AVANDARYL, please see full Prescribing Information.