| If you have been newly diagnosed with type 2 | | | | sneakers. But it does mean that you have to find |
| diabetes, one of the first things your doctor will | | | | shoes for walking that have certain specifications. |
| recommend is that you start exercising. One of | | | | The most important thing is that the shoes are |
| the most popular exercises for diabetics is | | | | not too large or too small. |
| walking. If, like the majority of people diagnosed | | | | You don't want your foot rubbing on the sides or |
| with type 2 you have been leading a "couch | | | | heels of the shoes and you don't want your foot |
| potato" lifestyle, walking is the easiest way to get | | | | sliding forwards, backwards or sideways. Select |
| your body moving. | | | | wider shoes instead of narrow ones. If you buy |
| Walking provides many benefits for diabetics: | | | | new shoes, try them on and walk in them with |
| - it reduces blood sugar levels | | | | the socks you will wear during your walks. After |
| - it burns calories which can help with losing weight | | | | you have the right shoes for walking, it's time to |
| - it reduces blood pressure and improves heart | | | | head out to your chosen location. |
| health | | | | Here are a few more tips on how to get started |
| Walking is easy and you already do it every day | | | | and stay motivated: |
| at least for short distances, such as navigating | | | | - start out with just five to ten minutes of |
| room to room in your home. | | | | walking the first day, particularly if you have not |
| How to get started: | | | | been exercising at all. Increase your time by |
| Before you head outside for your first walk, take | | | | around five minutes each week until you hit thirty |
| care of these necessities: | | | | minutes |
| - consult with your doctor to make sure it's OK | | | | - add toys to make it fun! If you really dislike |
| for you to walk | | | | exercise, you will need some motivational tools. |
| - check your feet to makes sure there are no | | | | Try getting a pedometer... a little unit that you can |
| sores, blisters, or cuts | | | | attach to count steps and/or total distance |
| - get true walking shoes and socks thick enough | | | | walked. Once you get up to your thirty minute |
| to absorb your impact with the ground | | | | goal, you can keep your mind occupied by using a |
| - check your blood sugar level before and after | | | | heart rate monitor or even a GPS device |
| walking | | | | - find fellow walkers. Whether it be a friend or a |
| - take along snacks and plenty of water | | | | group of people you have never met, companions |
| You have to be careful about walking because | | | | are great motivators |
| people with diabetes, type 1 or type 2, are at a | | | | - walk where you feel most comfortable. That |
| high risk for foot problems. If you have diabetic | | | | place might be a few blocks close to your home |
| neuropathy, you may have pain or numbness | | | | or a quiet nature path in the country. It might |
| tingling in your feet already. With diabetes, your | | | | even be at the mall. Many malls open early for |
| body also will not heal as quickly. That means a | | | | walkers and some have daily group walks. Many |
| cut, blister or abrasion can fail to heal and also | | | | cities now even have walking clubs. |
| become easily infected. | | | | So, go! But don't forget to warm up your muscles |
| Are walking shoes really necessary? | | | | for five to ten minutes... that means simply |
| It is really important for you to buy good walking | | | | walking slowly during the first section of your |
| shoes. That doesn't mean you need to go out | | | | walking schedule. |
| and spend $120 on a brand name pair of | | | | |