Your body uses insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, to help remove blood glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. Diabetes is a condition where the body does not make enough insulin or use the insulin it makes well enough to remove glucose from the bloodstream. Increased blood glucose levels cause serious diseases and medical conditions. People with type 2 diabetes often take oral medications to control blood glucose levels. Diabetics taking oral medications must exercise caution during weight loss; however, safe weight loss is possible.
Step 1
Talk with your doctor about your weight loss plans. You might require additional medical monitoring during weight loss. Your doctor can monitor your medications and your condition to determine whether changes are needed as you lose weight.
Step 2
Prepare for weight loss by examining your lifestyle, including your eating habits and your level of physical activity, and removing barriers to weight loss success. Write down your findings, including a record of blood glucose levels and your body measurements, to help you and your medical team plan for your weight loss.
Step 3
Increase your physical activity to start lowering your blood glucose levels and prepare yourself for more strenuous exercise. Building more physical activity into your life helps you to make the lifestyle changes necessary to maintain your weight after losing the pounds. Use the stairs more often, park farther from your office and add more movement into each day.
Step 4
Set realistic weight loss goals. A weight loss of 10 to 15 pounds can improve blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends a 7 percent weight loss for overweight patients with type 2 diabetes.
Step 5
Adjust your diet for fewer calories, smaller portions, less fat and healthful snacks. A dietitian or nutritionist can help design an eating plan that provides the nutrients you need while adjusting your caloric intake based on your weight and the medications you take. In general, the American Diabetes Association recommends that women consume a minimum of 1,000 to 1,200 calories daily and men consume a minimum of 1,200 to 1,600 calories daily.
Step 6
Develop an exercise plan that includes consideration of your weight and the medications you take. Exercise lowers blood glucose levels, according to the National Institutes of Health, so it is important to work with your health care team to determine the best time for you to exercise. For instance, your plan might require you to avoid exercising immediately after taking your oral medications. Include aerobic exercise in your plan to burn fat and strengthen your heart and lungs. Strengthening exercises builds muscle that replaces fat and burns more calories.
Tips and Warnings
- Some oral diabetes medication can cause weight gain. Your doctor can help you decide if a change in medication can help you manage your weight. Take a nutrition class to learn about food, how foods affect your blood glucose levels and how to make nutritious, low-calorie choices. Check your blood glucose level before and after exercise to understand how exercise affects your blood glucose levels. Aerobic swimming is a good choice if you need to reduce the impact on your feet during exercise.
- Prepare for emergencies that can occur during exercise by carrying identification, wearing a medical identification bracelet and carrying snacks or glucose tablets. The National Institutes of Health cautions that weightlifting can increase pressure on the blood vessels in your eyes. Seek medical advice before exercises such as walking if you have numbness or other problems with your feet.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Basics About Diabetes
- National Institutes of Health: What I Need to Know About Diabetes Medicines
- American Diabetes Association: Healthy Weight Loss
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Diabetes Diet -- Weight Control for Type 2 Diabetes
- National Institutes of Health: What I Need to Know About Physical Activity and Diabetes
- MayoClinic.com: Diabetes Treatment - Medications for Type 2 Diabetes
