What type of exercise program

Hi Karen, I joined a gym because of their equipment and the trainers.  I only have a bike, an exercise ball and dumbells at home.  I paid for 6 weeks with a trainer and then was on my own and then signed with a trainer again for 6 weeks, and then on my own.  I've been doing this for the last year.  This way I was shown how to use the various weights and resistance machines correctly.  I made photo copies of the sheets they make for each personal session and I follow them and increase reps or weights when I feel I can.  I had to do this because left on my own I realized I wasn't as dedicated for the long term as I thought I'd be, and I didn't push myself hard enough.  Anyway, every other day I use the elliptical trainer for 20 minutes and the treadmill for the same time, total 40 minutes.  Lately, I've upped the elevation of the treadmill so the incline is very steep but with a moderate speed of 2.4.  This works you out harder and I read somewhere it's really good for the legs and back and for balance.  Then, on the other days I work with dumb bells and resistance machines for strength.  I find that I have had to keep records so I could see how I've progressed in reps and weights.  I think motivation was and sometimes still is hard for me too.  Keeping records of what I do is sort of a motivation in that I can see what I've accomplished.  I don't have a work-out buddy but it would be a good idea to help keep you on track.  I'm thinking now of getting a video for aerobic workouts for home.  I still have to lose some more weight but I also want to build up strength.  Sorry for the long-winded answer.

I swim at the Y for about 30 minutes twice or three times a week. That's the max I can do with my fibromyalgia.

Hi Karen,
I know it's all too easy to lose the motivation sometimes isn't it? What I find is it's best to incorporate exercise into my daily routine so I do it without the will I / won't I dilemma. So I cycle to work and back each day, 12 miles in total. I also have dumbells at home which I spend 15 minutes with after I've eaten. I try to run a couple of times a week and sign up for races every so often, which brings it's own motivation. In fact, I'm doing a 10 kilometre race this Sunday! To be perfectly honest, I enjoy the feeling of just having run much more than the actual running itself! It brings it's own rewards though. I was in hospital 3 years ago (unrelated to my diabetes) in intensive care with a heart rate of over 220. I wasn't expected to survive. I know for certain that without the core fitness from the regular running I would not be writing this message.
So get out there and do it - it's better than the alternative!

All the best,

fergusc

I walk every chance I get. There are alot of days when I spend all or most in my recliner or bed because I have to take so many pain meds that I can't function. But I use walking to get out and work out the kinks and mild joint pains when I can. I just keep telling myself that every day I get up and go means I gain another day to do just that.
It doesn't have to be strenious walking, stroll if thats all your up to that day and walk faster on the days you can. I can never find or make the time to do it so I tell myself I have 5 minutes so I will go out and do 5 minutes worth, sometimes that 5 minutes turns into an hour but thats ok cause what I had to do before I started was still there needing to be done afterwards, strange how that always seems to happen huh?

WOW - lou!

What an inspiration! That's an amazing turnaround. Did you lose all that weight with exercise alone? diet and exercise? How have your medications changed? your numbers? Please share more of your success story with us.

sandy

Wow, Lou, that is amazing! Congrats on such an awesome accomplishment. I'm with the rest of the bunch here...tell us all how you did this. I'm feeling good about what I've done so far, but, man, I can always use more inspiration.

Karen

Well first you have to decide you want to live and not let this thing beat you. It was very hard for me at first but my motivation was that I wanted to live and I was scared to die. I talk with a dietican whole explain the food groups that I should eat with diabetes. I ate Shredded Wheat with skim plus for breakfast, I would have an apple midmornig and a salad and tuna sandwich on double fiber bread for lunch. Mid afternoon snack would be more fruit or raw veggies and dinner would consist of baked fish or chicken with any green veggies on the side and a salad. late nite snacks would be fruit or raw veggies. It sounds boring but it works! I would not eat anything white no white flour breads,rice or potatoes. I also would not use any salad dressing only slight vinager and teaspoon of oil, No desserts only fruit like a apple. Then I started walking everyday no matter what the weather you have to do this you have to push yourself and become almost robitic to get started dont deviate from the exersise and stick to a food plan that works for you. If you can incorperate resitance training that will really help the weight loss. And stay off the SCALE. Give yourself a month and you will start to feel better and you will continue to do it. Please give yourself time to walk make it part of your day no matter what the day holds for you, you need to get up to 40 minutes a day and remember speed does not matter. Like I always said a bad walk is better than no walk anyday of the week! Stay positve you can do it and deep down inside you know you can!! I currently use Byetta 5mcg/2 daily and Glumetza 500mgs/2 daily. When I started my a1c was over 12 and now I am mid 5's. Good luck you can do it too. 

Jeannie! The web site you posted takes you to a **** site. I think you mean traineo.com.

Jeannie is red faced with embarrassment! Especially after I just edited your edits on the spam posts, Lanie! They were all taking peeps to x-rated sites as well. Amazing how the most innocent mistakes can all lead to adult sites!

(sigh!) The internet can be a scarey place!

Granny,
I answered this in the Blood sugars up and down post that Lanie made just for you. I'm sorry about your friend. I wish I could do something to help you feel better. I'll remember both of your families in my prayers.