World Diabetes Day

Today is World Diabetes Day!

Per TuDiabetes.org:

November 14 is World Diabetes Day. On that day, at 14:00 hours (local time), thousands of people with diabetes will test their blood sugar, do 14 minutes of exercise, test again and enter their results on BigBlueTest.org. Afterwards, we invite you to share your results on TuDiabetes, Twitter, or any of the partner diabetes communities listed on Big Blue Test web site.

  

The event is called The Big Blue Test because blue is the color associated with World Diabetes Day. It is based on a test-in activity that took place July 14, where more than a thousand people with diabetes tested their blood sugar at the same time and shared their results online. This time, the activity incorporates 14 minutes of physical activity to reinforce the importance of exercise.
  

Participating in this event to raise diabetes awareness on November 14 is easy:

1. At 2 pm (your local time), test your blood sugar.
2. Run, jog, walk the dog, or do anything you’d normally do as part of your exercise routine for 14 minutes.
3. Test your blood sugar again.

I participated in the Big Blue Test and here are my results:

1. Pre-exercise blood glucose: 278 mg/dL
2. I exercised for 14 minutes on the stationary bike. I averaged 72 RPMs and traveled a little over 3.4 miles.
3. Post-exercise blood glucose: 295 mg/dL

Oops!! My numbers were supposed to decrease. Oh well. I still understand the importance of exercising to help lower blood glucose levels. Only 30 minutes of exercising no later than 30 minutes after eating has the same effect as taking insulin. Now THAT’S some pretty powerful stuff!