Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by adam on January 5, 2012 at 8:37pm

Going on "exercise is more than likely to lower my blood sugars" - I'd like to reference you to some early preliminary work i'm doing that you can see on this post - http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/athleticdiabetics/forum/topics/inte... , obviously just hunt out my single post on the page.

Secondly, no one and nothing will ever interfere with my health. Besides, I get asked if I have cancer.

http://adamdzak.blogspot.com/2011/07/diabetes-beach.html

Stay confident. Stay healthy.
adam 

Permalink Reply by IMVic on January 5, 2012 at 8:39pm

Experienced it and honestly no longer care what others think. I have observed a couple things in classes: people "stop" for a variety of reasons - do what you need to do - no one should be judging - you're all out there "doing" and should be commended for it; having to stop and then having someone ask you about what you're doing become a great opportunity to educate others about diabetes - something the media normally fails to do well; you're benefitting from the exercise and you may find other diabetics out there as well - it's always great to be with other diabetics when someone's pump alarms (and everyone checks to see if it was theirs) - there is a community of folks who live with this disease and who live active, healthy lives - testing BGs just happens to be part of our "living".

Permalink Reply by Jerry Nairn on January 5, 2012 at 10:11pm

I guess you're just asking for support, so I'll just chime in with more of the same.
I agree with what's been said. Go. Do. Take it as an opportunity to educate if it comes up, but don't take it personal if some people want to remain ignorant.
Try imagining being in a class with someone who has some other condition, Think about how you would treat them, and expect to be treated that way. The overwhelming majority of people out there will be fine with you doing whatever you need to do.

Permalink Reply by BagLady on January 6, 2012 at 7:42am

I have been participating in a water aerobics class regularly (twice a week) now, and at first felt some of the anxiety you mention re standing out when I stop to test. The class is really intense, and I had a brush with a low bg that scared me pretty badly (I had dropped to around 30 with double down arrows on the Dexcom) following a class. Ever since then I get out of the water and test halfway through EVERY time. Have caught some lows in progress that I didn't even feel. I just had to tell myself that it would be much more embarrasing to pass out in the water then to get out in the middle of class for a few minutes to confirm that all is okay. I would rather have the health benefits of exercise with a few moments of 'I need to pause and check' then use that as an excuse to NOT exercise. My heart and my quality of life will thank me in the long run for having the courage to take care of myself - and so will yours! Be brave, do something new and GOOD for yourself. And if people judge you - to bad for them. doesn't matter. This is about you and your life - live it fully because you CAN!

Permalink Reply by Brooklyn on January 6, 2012 at 8:08am

Patrick,
I know how you feel. I stop every 20 minutes during an hour long Muay Thai kickboxing session. These are hard core fighters I work out with and my instructor is a nationally ranked fighter. At first I felt very self conscious. weird about pricking my finger for blood and then punching bags and touching stuff around the space. A few people asked me what my pump was. It made me feel weaker than I already did around all of the athletes I box with. A few months later and I don't even think about it now. the other fighters think I am amazing for being so diligent with my health. They say things like, "I don't know how you do what you do. You have so much discipline." I am treated a little differently but it's not because of the diabetes directly. I just can't keep up with the others on a consistent basis ( my performance changes drastically depending on my bg) Also the fitness level the people have in my class is so high and takes such dedication- well it's a certain kind of person that achieves this and they are very focused on themselves and let's just say they are more concerned with how they are doing than what I am doing.
You will be fine. Just take the first step and be proud of how hard you work to be healthy.

Permalink Reply by Susannah Iltis on January 6, 2012 at 9:34am

I'm joining in the gang of go and do. Obviously, it is something you need to become comfortable with for yourself. Most likely time and experience will do that. I think you will find that people are supportive, if they even notice. The other night during an hour long organized swim workout, I didn't like how my stroke was feeling, so I hopped out, checked my bg, and hopped back in. Turns out I was just sluggish, not low. The coach asked if I was okay and I said yes. That was the end of it. I think you will find, if you act with confidence others will treat you in kind.

It is up to you how much you want to share. If you do explain to people, you might find some "do gooders" that want to tell you how to eat, etc. This is not to say don't share, just be prepared.

I have experienced support, concern, curiosity, and ignorance when I have exercised with others. It is all good and I just keep doing what I want to do.

Permalink Reply by Jerry Nairn on January 6, 2012 at 10:54am

I remembered I had written a blog post about this a couple of years ago. It may be a little more judgmental than what I said yesterday. The gist of it is that diabetes is a responsibility.

http://t1d-runner.blogspot.com/2010/07/be-diabetic.html

Permalink Reply by Doug H on January 6, 2012 at 11:01am

Had the same concerns before joining spin classes despite being an avid biker. Decided that I should let the instructor know that I am diabetic, use a pump and will need to stop and leave the workout room to test my BG at least once during the hour long workout. They were all totally cool and supportive about it .. One even told me about her diabetic dad. Told them I never gone so low that I acted strange or passed out, but they were like a support system for me.
Since its too dark to test BG in spin class anyway, I just hop off the bike, take my water bottle for a refill along with testing case and fast acting carbs with me. Nobody cares or takes notice except the instructor who gives me a thumbs up and my thumbs up reply means all good be back in a minute.
Go for it. No need to be self conscious.

Permalink Reply by Leslie on January 6, 2012 at 11:03am

I have had similar feelings about classes but so far my experience has been great. In my yoga classes (especially hot yoga) I have spoken to the instructor before class that I have to bring a snack in, may have to stop and could possibly start beeping but it is not a cell phone simply because the environment is slightly different then a regular exercise class. It has never been a big deal though. Classes have really stepped up my fitness motivation so have fun with it. Also, I wear the omnipod pump on my arm sometimes and have had great conversations with moms who are struggling with their kids diabetes and are looking for information so I definitely second the sentiment that it often presents opportunities to educate people and bond with others.

Permalink Reply by Patrickmind on January 7, 2012 at 4:07pm

I did it! Almost. Went to about 60 out of 90 minutes worth of the class. My hips were killing me and blood sugar had dropped 70 points so I called it a day but will try to go back tomorrow night. A bit overwhelmed at first, there were 50 people in the class but once it got started I just tried to focus on the class and my yoga. Thank you for the encouragement, suggestions and empathy.

Patrick

Permalink Reply by FHS on January 7, 2012 at 4:18pm

That's a pretty good effort Patrick.

At some point. like others have said, you just forget about what you think people are thinking about what you are doing. I have no qualms about testing on a treadmill, while I'm in the weight-room, in the middle of jiu-jitsu, wherever. I found that 99.9% of the time, people just either don't notice or are pretending not to notice. The other .01 percent of the time, there will be another diabetic who notices and wants to spark up a conversation.

We all started at the same place, but it does get easier.

That's going to be absolutely the key to getting through a 90 minute workout. You're just, absolutely, must be able to take the 45 seconds to check your BGs periodically. If need be, you must, absolutely be able to treat not just a low, but be able to anticipate how fast you will be dropping so you can pre-emptively stop a crash and finish your work-out.

Keep up the good work!!

Permalink Reply by Brooklyn on January 7, 2012 at 5:15pm

yeah Patrick!!!! Good for you!!

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