diabetic living JULY/AUGUST 2017 83BE active
Injuries, arthritis and nerve
damage can be overcome
with the right approach
Although exercise is essential
to wellbeing, it can be the last
thing you want to do when
you’re in pain. But reconsider
remaining on the couch and
instead find activities that suit
your individual needs. Certain
types of exercise, like resistance
training, can help strengthen
muscles and reduce pressure
on joints while preventing the
progression of arthritis.
If you have neuropathy
(nerve damage) and have lost
some feeling in your feet, you
may have
also lost the
confidence
to do aerobic
activities.
Instead, try
resistance training
with moderate
weights to burn
kilojoules and even
out your BGLs. For
more options and
advice, consider consulting an
accredited exercise physiologist.
But go to your GP first and
ask about a Chronic Disease
Management Plan. You may
be able to access help under
Medicare. Stay strong!BODY &
MIND
Need more reasons to
get moving? Maybe this
will convince you...Regular workouts will
not only increase your
physical fitness, they
also lead to better
brain function, too.
“Maintaining regular
exercise throughout
life keeps your body,
memory and mind
happy,” says DL GP
Dr Gary Deed.
Although it’s not
yet clear exactly how
exercise improves brain
function, it’s accepted
that regular activity
increases cardiovascular
health and this, in turn,
lowers your risk of
dementia by increasing
blood flow to the brain
and promoting growth
of new brain cells.MORE GOOD NEWS
Want to reduce your
risk of dementia by up
to 30 per cent? Pull on
those walking shoes or
go for a swim at least
three times a week and
you’ll improve your
memory and delay
dementia, according
to a US study. ■TOP TIP Exercising in water is a good
solution for people who have arthritis
because it supports your body and joints.
Floating can also give people who have
trouble with mobility an invigorating
sense of freedom.Mobility issues?
Put the
kettle on!