You may have heard that walking is one of the best forms of exercise. Now, a study published in Diabetes Care found that walking 10,000 steps per day can lower the risk of death for patients with prediabetes or diabetes, whose blood sugar is not controlled.
The report states that people in the study who were diagnosed with diabetes had a fasting blood glucose higher than 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). People diagnosed with prediabetes had a fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL.
The people in the study wore an accelerometer around their waist for 7 consecutive days to count their steps. Over nine years, some of the subjects died. Based on those who survived, researchers concluded that walking nearly 10,000 steps a day was best for lowering the risk of death from any cause for people with prediabetes or diabetes.
If walking 10,000 steps a day seems like too much for you, the study authors suggest you speak to your doctor about giving you a routine that suits your physical ability. Not sure what an accelerometer is or if it’s right for you, how about trying a Fitbit watch? There are many styles with prices and functionalities to suit every budget and every need.
The Fitbit Charge 5 shown in the picture below not only records your steps, it monitors your heart rate, sleep, stress level and even comes with a Daily Readiness Score that shows if you are ready to workout or if you should focus on recovery. If you’re serious about increasing your physical activity and improving your overall health, you owe it to yourself to get a Fitbit.
A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can send your life into a tailspin. It can leave you feeling alone and overwhelmed, but it doesn’t have to. Join my type 2 diabetes network group and get the help and support you need.
