Why Strength Train With Diabetes?

As you go about your life with diabetes, one form of exercise you’ll want to ensure you’re doing is that of strength training. Few exercise varieties offer the payoff benefits that strength training does, so it’s definitely one to include.

But yet, many people don’t. Often it’s because they truly don’t realize the benefits that this form of activity has to offer.

Let me explain to you why strength training is so vital to your success in managing this condition so that you don’t give it a second thought.

1. Weight Control

It’s no secret, a big part of managing diabetes is managing your weight. And, strength training earns top marks here. With this form of workout, you’ll not only burn calories while you do it, but burn calories after you’re finished as well.

Those who strength train as part of their week typically have an easier time both losing weight as well as maintaining that weight loss.

2. Muscle Building Effects

Next, strength training is also a great way to promote the building of lean muscle mass. This is important because it not only makes you functionally strong (which is always a good thing!) but also because it helps give you a place to store carbohydrates.

When you complete an intense strength training workout, your muscles will be depleted of their muscle glycogen, meaning any carbohydrates you do eat will move into the muscle cells for storage. This helps keep your blood glucose levels under control better and further prevents fat gain.

3. Improved Self-Confidence

Finally, strength training simply raises your self-confidence. It’s really that simple. With strength training, you’ll have a new level of respect for what your body can do and this can mean you have the desire to treat it as well as you could.

Those who strength train tend to make smarter food choices because they are working on building their body and want to ensure it gets the nutritional support that it needs.

So don’t overlook strength training any longer. You really only need to do 2-3 sessions per week, lasting around 30 minutes to see results. What other forms of exercise can say this?