How to Control Weight & Diabetes With Insulin

Diabetes attacks the pancreas so that it can no longer produce insulin, or by making cells resistant to the effects of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that functions to transport blood sugar, or glucose, into your cells. Diabetics often undergo insulin therapy to manage the complications of the disease. Insulin treatment is also associated with weight gain, which patients must work to control.

Things You'll Need

• Blood-sugar monitor
• Insulin therapy package
• Balanced diet regimen
• Gym membership
• Notebook

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Instructions

Insulin Treatment and Weight Management

• 1

  Monitor blood-sugar levels and take your insulin therapy in accordance with the doctor's orders. Insulin is injected with a syringe or pen-like device that carries cartridges. The insulin manages diabetes by enabling glucose to enter cells. Excessive weight gain now becomes a concern because glucose that had been excreted out of the body as urine now remains within tissues.

• 2

  Set realistic fitness goals that allow for maximum effort, without committing to lofty ideals. Failure to meet a standard of perfection could be discouraging and derail you from any gains. Goal-setting should account for time, appearance, dietary intake and exercise repetitions. Begin with broadly defined goals to get started, and then set specific guidelines as you make progress. Focus on awareness and simply "trying your best," prior to thinking on becoming a size 8 by next week.

• 3

  Focus on eating a balanced diet to mitigate the risks stemming from poor blood circulation. Weight management is an important issue because extra pounds stress the heart in pumping blood. Work on limiting exposure to alcohol, cigarette smoke and saturated fats. Consume foods that are high in protein and soluble fiber, such as fish, chicken breasts, fruits and vegetables. Eat regularly, because skipping meals slows down metabolism.

• 4

  Exercise often to burn calories and control your weight. Strength train for three to five days per week, and perform cardiovascular activity at an elevated heart rate for at least 20 minutes every day. Weight issues are a function of regulating the amount of energy used up in physical activity against the calories consumed as food. Unused food material is often stored within your body as fat. Exercise also helps to lower cholesterol levels, which is critical to prevent clogged arteries.

• 5

  Record and monitor detailed information related to weight, exercise and dietary intake. This data should be compared against blood-sugar and insulin treatment levels to keep track of how the fitness routine impacts your body. Maintain notebooks to share with your doctor and evaluate progress for a healthy lifestyle.