An Exercise Program for Type 2 Diabetes and a New Life

“Three days after starting the exercise program with you, my blood sugar morning readings were close to normal on the days of the workout.”

“Dear Brian,

Thank you. At age 54 my vision was acceptance of decline. Month by month more things going wrong with my body. The negative statistical facts of diabetes ever piling up.”

A leyter from a client who got his type 2 diabetes under control with exercise.

Letter from a client who got his blood sugar levels under control with exercise.

“Long spiral down ever accelerating. I was making my self comfortable with this inevitability. I watched my father die from diabetes. I would, too , and be brave about it.”

An Exercise Program for Type 2 Diabetes

“Another client of yours, Elliott, my oldest and dearest friend, knew of my attitude and he wasn’t buying it. He bought your fitness program for me and, as he only can, made it impossible for me to not to come to you. Those of you who know Elliott will understand.

Big deal. I have done weight loss and exercise before — successfully — for a while. What’s the difference here? Energy, interest, focus, transparency, intelligence, empathy, persistence, confidence, positiveness, acceptance, flexibility, joyfulness, friendliness, humor — I don’t know why.

But you do.”

Exercise Plan Got My Blood Sugar Readings Close to Normal

“Three days after starting the workout program with you, my blood sugar morning readings were close to normal on the days of the workout. The readings hadn’t done that for several years despite my belief, albeit deluded, that I was compliant with my diabetic regime.

It is possible to get type 2 diabetes under control with exercise by incorporating regular physical activity into your routine, which can improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar levels, and contribute to overall better management of the condition.

It wasn’t easy. Although I felt ill, dizzy and faint during the initial workouts, with your staff’s kind presence and support, I persisted and after about two weeks, the bad feelings went away.

My weight began to drop, but more surprisingly, I began to shrink horizontally. Excitement. Compliments given. Energy abundant. Amazement. What the hell, muscles! It works, it works, it works!”

A New Life Through Diet and Exercise

“I follow a fairly simple dietary program that you have clearly outlined for me. I do the cardio and weight training that is unambiguously laid out for me. I give you — no, I give myself about an hour or so a day — and, it works.

And I think that I may not be following in my father’s footsteps quite so soon after all.”

Gratitude.

And blessings.

Elliot

Brian’s Success Story

How I Reversed My Pre-Diabetes with Diet and Exercise

“Before coming to TheissCare I was on a downward spiral in regards to blood chemistry and overall health in general. My doctor had diagnosed me with pre-diabetes.

Through the TheissCare program I was able to get my cholesterol lower than it’s ever been. I feel great. I feel like a 20 year old version of myself again. My doctors that diagnosed me with pre-diabetes are just… they can’t really believe we reversed it.

In my opinion, you can’t put a value on TheissCare. It has changed my life and it can do the same for you. I feel so much better. I’m down 40 pounds. I look better. I’m the healthiest version I’ve been of myself and you can too.”

Brian – Motocross Racer

The Power of Exercise in Regulating Blood Sugar Levels

Exercise is a cornerstone of diabetes management due to its profound effects on blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity.

Before and after photos of a client who used exercise to reverse his diabetes.

Weight loss achieved through regular exercise can contribute to the reversal of diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin resistance.

Here’s how exercise can help reverse type 2 diabetes:

Improved Insulin Sensitivity: Physical activity enhances the body’s ability to utilize insulin, making cells more responsive to its effects. As a result, glucose is more efficiently transported from the bloodstream into muscle cells for energy, lowering blood sugar levels.
Muscle Glucose Uptake: During exercise, working muscles have an increased demand for glucose as fuel. This stimulates the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into muscle cells, reducing circulating glucose levels and improving glycemic control.
Reduced Insulin Resistance: Regular exercise helps combat insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. By promoting muscle growth and reducing excess fat tissue, exercise improves cellular signaling pathways involved in insulin action, making cells more receptive to its effects.
Weight Management: Exercise plays a crucial role in weight management, a key factor in type 2 diabetes prevention and control. Physical activity helps burn calories, build lean muscle mass, and regulate appetite, contributing to sustainable weight loss and improved metabolic health.

Designing an Exercise Program for Type 2 Diabetes

A well-rounded exercise program for those with type 2 diabetes should include a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Aerobic Activities: These include brisk walking, cycling, swimming and dancing to help burn calories, improve cardiovascular health and lower blood sugar levels.
Strength Training: Involves resistance training with weights or resistance bands to build muscle mass and enhance insulin sensitivity.
Flexibility Activities: Such as yoga and stretching promote relaxation, mobility, and overall well-being.

By incorporating a structured exercise program into your daily routine, you can take control of your health, improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications.

Safety Considerations

Before starting an exercise program, individuals with type 2 diabetes should consult with their healthcare provider to ensure it is safe and appropriate for their condition.

A health and wellness consultant guides a client suffering from diabetes through and exercise program to get their blood sugar levels under control.

Working with a health and wellness consultant when starting an exercise program for diabetes is crucial for personalized guidance, ensuring safety, and optimizing the effectiveness of the regimen to manage blood sugar levels and overall health.

It’s essential to monitor blood sugar levels before, during, and after exercise to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Adjustments to medication dosages or meal timing may be necessary to accommodate changes in insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization during exercise.

You Deserve It

Regular exercise plays a pivotal role in getting blood sugar levels under control if you are living with type 2 diabetes, paving the way for a long and fulfilling life despite the condition.

By engaging in physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, your body will become more efficient at utilizing insulin, leading to better blood sugar regulation. Exercise also promotes weight management and improves cardiovascular health, reducing your risk of diabetes-related complications.

With diligent adherence to an exercise program, even with type 2 diabetes, you can not only achieve optimal blood sugar control but also enhance your overall well-being, enabling you to live life to the fullest and pursue your passions with vitality and resilience.

With commitment, consistency and guidance from a health and wellness consultant, exercise can be a transformative force in reversing the course of type 2 diabetes and achieving lasting wellness.

Virtual and in-person programs available.

Start Your Complimentary Evaluation with TheissCare

More Health & Wellness Success Stories For You

More Health & Wellness Articles For You

Internal Intelligence and the Meditative Qualities of Exercise

January 20, 2019/by Brian K. Theiss, AA, CFT, MSF, FNBEFE, ISSA PAC

What to Do After a Workout? Recovery When You’re Over 45

September 1, 2017/by Brian K. Theiss, AA, CFT, MSF, FNBEFE, ISSA PAC

Online Fitness, Mentor, Monitor & Personal Training Program

December 17, 2017/by Brian K. Theiss, AA, CFT, MSF, FNBEFE, ISSA PAC

How Executives Are Elevating Their Health Through Exercise

April 29, 2019/by Brian K. Theiss, AA, CFT, MSF, FNBEFE, ISSA PAC

References

Read the Science

Kanaley JA, Colberg SR, Corcoran MH, Malin SK, Rodriguez NR, Crespo CJ, Kirwan JP, Zierath JR. Exercise/Physical Activity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Consensus Statement from the American College of Sports Medicine. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022 Feb 1;54(2):353-368. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002800. PMID: 35029593; PMCID: PMC8802999.
Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Fernhall B, Regensteiner JG, Blissmer BJ, Rubin RR, Chasan-Taber L, Albright AL, Braun B; American College of Sports Medicine; American Diabetes Association. Exercise and type 2 diabetes: the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association: joint position statement. Diabetes Care. 2010 Dec;33(12):e147-67. doi: 10.2337/dc10-9990. PMID: 21115758; PMCID: PMC2992225.
Savikj M, Zierath JR. Train like an athlete: applying exercise interventions to manage type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2020 Aug;63(8):1491-1499. doi: 10.1007/s00125-020-05166-9. Epub 2020 Jun 11. PMID: 32529411; PMCID: PMC7351814.
Moholdt T, Solberg EE. Exercise and type 2 diabetes. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2019 Jun 24;139(10). Norwegian, English. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.19.0197. PMID: 31238659.
Melmer A, Kempf P, Laimer M. The Role of Physical Exercise in Obesity and Diabetes. Praxis (Bern 1994). 2018 Aug;107(17-18):971-976. doi: 10.1024/1661-8157/a003065. PMID: 30131033.
Hamdy O, Goodyear LJ, Horton ES. Diet and exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2001 Dec;30(4):883-907. doi: 10.1016/s0889-8529(05)70220-6. PMID: 11727404.