Since moving to Boston for my summer internship I've been working out on a much more consistent basis than my schedule in C'Ville permitted. Seeing Kim train daily for IM Cozumel has given me extra incentive to work out (I can't let my gf make me look soft!) and with Coach E pushing me I have a great incentive for consistent exercise. However, what I forgot to calculate into my nutrition plan was the enormous effect increasing my daily exercise workload would have on my basal rates.
Over the past three weeks I've performed something like 30 hours of exercise and noticed a gradual reduction in my blood sugars. This week my blood sugars were attacked by a pack of rabid dogs so I've had to fight to maintain a blood sugar above 80. At the beginning of the week my basal rate was about 13.5 units of insulin per day, today my basal rate is down to 12.15 units and falling. Each day this week I've had at least three instances of blood sugars below 60 and on Wednesday night I had to have a full on carb fest to keep my blood sugar above 70.
This reminds me of the benefits and dangers of a type 1 diabetic undertaking arduous training. The huge benefit is that as my body becomes more responsive to insulin I'll be able to enjoy some of the foods I've had to avoid over the past year. But if I am not constantly monitoring my blood sugars during this transition period the chance of a really dangerous low is greatly enhanced. That relationship reinforces how essential it is to be vigilant in monitoring blood sugars and flexible enough to adapt environmental factors in blood sugar management.
6 comments:
are you using the navigator? How's that going?
I am going to start asking my coach to give me the heads-up when there is a big change in volume. Wouldn't it be great to be able to anticipate, rather than react, to all those lows? It's tough. Great work..
-Anne
Keep up the good work and STAY SAFE!! :)
Isn't it a bit wild just how much of a moving target it is? So many people give up on exercise because they have trouble managing blood sugars, and I think we can all see why!
Thank you for documenting your journeys with us and sharing your experiences. It lets many see that it is possible! :-)
awesome work . one should be motivated like you to fight with diabetes
You said:
"Each day this week I've had at least three instances of blood sugars below 60 and on Wednesday night I had to have a full on carb fest to keep my blood sugar above 70."
It's good that you're monitoring your blood glucose closely, and learning as you go. Best wishes to you.
Hey I'm just catching up on reading. So you're in Boston, we'll have to get together...how long are you here for?
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