Cycling UK Forum

SA_SA_SA wrote:...cycling seems to multiply the effect of insulin much more than walking

I actually find the opposite to be true in my case. Of course it depends on the type of cycling and walking. As for cycling, I'm quite leisurely, averaging 12mph, whereas my walking is quite brisk usually at 3.5mph.

Of course you are spot on that all physical activity does have a positive effect on the insulin effect.

Cheers
Barry

I haven't read the whole thread, but I have been recently diagnosed as pre diabetes so its coming unless I do a lot of weight loss and change my diet.

However, I dont understand how cycling helps alleviate the blood sugar - is it just the moderate exercise and if so, does this better done at low or high intensity riding?

thanks

samsbike wrote:I haven't read the whole thread, but I have been recently diagnosed as pre diabetes so its coming unless I do a lot of weight loss and change my diet.

However, I dont understand how cycling helps alleviate the blood sugar - is it just the moderate exercise and if so, does this better done at low or high intensity riding?

thanks

This is a helluva big subject. For inexhaustible information try www.diabetes.co.uk forums. If you are pre-diabetes then I wouldn't lose hope in 'curing' the situation.

The exercise can make you less insensitive to the insulin that you produce naturally. Whether high intensity is better than moderate is very debatable. There was that famous BBC Panorama view that demonstrated HIIT (high intensity interval training - 30 seconds on 30 seconds off) can significantly improve insulin tollerance/sensitivity and blood glucose processing.

I've never knowingly been in the pre-diabetes stage so can't comment, but I reckon there's something in it. I was late onset type one and managed for a while on controlled diet and massive exercise, but this soon morphed into insulin dependency, which in fairness is very manageable.

Happy to discuss more on-line or off-line if you want, and I'm sure there will be others along soon too. But from where you are I wouldn't accept it as inevitable.

samsbike wrote:I haven't read the whole thread, but I have been recently diagnosed as pre diabetes so its coming unless I do a lot of weight loss and change my diet.

However, I dont understand how cycling helps alleviate the blood sugar - is it just the moderate exercise and if so, does this better done at low or high intensity riding?

thanks

You will see my post above from 2012. Last year I slimmed down from 15 st 6 to 12 st , a 48 lb weight loss ending up with a bmi of 24. After just 3 months on a diet and a stone of weight loss my glucose HBA1c had returned to normal. I think this is because when you loose weight the first fat to go is around your pancreas and liver and your insulin begins to work as it should. After 12 months I have kept all the weight off and I no longer take any medication on doctors advice. As well as the weight loss I cycled only about 50 miles a week and this did the trick. If you are a regular cyclist just concentrate on losing some weight and keeping it off. Everyone is different but it should definately help.

Dont listen to this high intensity exercise rubbish or the nutty diet freaks its all a load of [rude word removed] to sell books. Just cycle normally and eat less and avoid eating crap without changing the diet you prefer, then you can just continue with your life normally and sustain it.

Al

I ride with diabetes regularly!

My visually impaired tandem stoker is also type 1. We do a 20-40 mile ride most weeks. The only time it impinges on our rides is if Clare feels the need to do a blood test &/or insulin injection when we stop for a brew. It has never otherwise affected things noticeably. If anything Clare pushes on up the hills more than I do, but then I've usually got an extra 8-10 miles to solo the tandem afterwards with a blooming steep hill at the end (250ft ascent in the last 1/2 mile).

Rick.

al_yrpal wrote:Dont listen to this high intensity exercise rubbish or the nutty diet freaks its all a load of <i>[rude word removed]</i> to sell books. Just cycle normally and eat less and avoid eating crap without changing the diet you prefer, then you can just continue with your life normally and sustain it.

Al

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the HIIT stuff definitely isn't crap - there is science in it. It is used by many athletes I believe, as part of their training regimes. It was discovered at Bath University (IIRC) that a by product of HIIT was improved BG handling. Check this out:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17177251

I do agree with you on the diet side of things. A simple mantra that I like (but don't necessarily stick to without exception) is only eat things that don't need an ingredient list, and if it does need a list, don't eat it is there are long names you can't pronounce. This works for me, pretty well, but others may be different as you also point out.

barrym wrote:

al_yrpal wrote:I do agree with you on the diet side of things. A simple mantra that I like (but don't necessarily stick to without exception) is only eat things that don't need an ingredient list, and if it does need a list, don't eat it is there are long names you can't pronounce. This works for me, pretty well, but others may be different as you also point out.

This I like easy to understand, thanks