By this point in the holiday season, my wife and family have done their shopping, save one gift: mine. I’m hard to buy for, and I don’t like making lists. But this year, as a type 2 diabetic, I know what I want: exercise.
I work hard to manage my disease and lose weight, but I fall short on exercise. The odd round of golf and occasional sprint after my toddler in the Wal-Mart parking lot doesn’t count as the kind of consistent, intense movement that makes managing my blood sugar easier.
I’ve listed the excuses in this blog before: long commute, two kids under 5 years of age, and lack of motivation and time.
So I want a way to sneak out for a workout or a way to exercise that includes either my kids or my friends (so I can be social and good).
Here’s my Christmas List:
- A kid trailer for my bike. Zipping along the paved roads near our home will be such a thrill, I hope the kids will beg me to get out and get moving (and their added weight will burn up extra calories).
- Free babysitting. So that one or two hours a week, I can get in some serious exercise.
- A dedicated tennis opponent. I would rather my friends and family take time out of their schedule to work out with me than spend money on me.
Here are some more gift ideas for the diabetic in your life:
- Volunteer to be a workout buddy. I’m more motivated to move when I have someone to do it with me. If you’re not the exercise type, buy your loved one a pair of running shoes and then tell them about Exercise Friends, a site dedicated to connecting workout partners via zip code.
- Yoga classes or gym membership. A single yoga class can be less than $10. Want to splurge? Give a trial membership at a health club.
- Personal training sessions. Studies show that people who use a personal trainer are more likely to stay with their program, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. (Get tips on choosing the right personal trainer from the American Council on Exercise.)
- Pedometer. One Stanford University study found that using a pedometer actually motivates people to walk. Pedometers range from $5 to $30, depending on features.
- Dumbbells and a balance ball. Experts say strength exercises are just as important as cardio for managing weight and blood sugar. And balance balls help you trim belly fat, which, in addition to being a risk factor for diabetes, increases the risk of heart disease and dementia.
- A Wii Fit. This is a big investment (upwards of $400), but the Nintendo game console is used everywhere—from senior centers to after-school programs—to inspire people to move. This virtual gym may not burn as many calories as a trip to a real one, but it’s fun and doesn’t seem like exercise!
Whether you buy the diabetic on your list a $5 pedometer or a $400 Wii Fit, it’s a gift that will keep on giving. Diabetics who exercise tend to have a much easier time managing their blood sugar. They’re healthier and live longer without complications than diabetics who don’t exercise.
And it’s a gift for you too. You’ll be increasing the odds that your loved one will be able to celebrate the holidays with you for many years to come.
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Comments (2)
Good ideas that can be used both for giving and getting. Forget dieting (just kidding!) and focus on exercising. You’ll feel better and lose more weight.
There is also a great new book that active diabetics would love: Diabetic Athlete’s Handbook