Diabetic Bodybuilding

Expand your mind and your body will follow..

Diabetic bodybuilding sounds like it should come with alarm bells and high caution! But the reality is anything but.

All forms of exercise have been shown to be effective at reducing the risks and complications associated with diabetes. Resistance training and particularly bodybuilding is ideal because exercising muscles increase the need to use glucose for energy.

So, natural, steroid free bodybuilding is great for those who are diabetic. It is forcing your body to utilize the additional circulating blood glucose. Any other aerobic exercise is also beneficial in managing blood glucose levels.

If you are just beginning a bodybuilding routine and are currently out of shape or have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, see your doctor before you begin any exercise program.

Talk to your doctor about the physical activity you plan to start and any exercise precautions you may have. You should have an exam focusing on your heart and blood vessels, eyes,
kidneys and the blood supply to your lower extremities, such as your feet.

Always wear your ID tag indicating that you are a diabetic to insure proper treatment in case there’s a problem when you’re exercising or you have an injury.

The biggest concern that needs to be addressed with diabetic bodybuilding is the diet.
A diabetic bodybuilding diet needs to include a variety of fruits and some low-glycemic index carbohydrates such as wild and/or brown rice, dried oats, baked potato, etc. (No sugar!) to help maintain blood sugar levels and increase the metabolism.

It is important to look out for lows in your blood glucose levels by regular testing.

On the whole a diabetic bodybuilding diet is pretty similar to a standard bodybuilding diet with just a few variations. You may need to add in a snack or additional insulin, but nothing too out of the ordinary.

Fruits and yoghurts are ideal snacks because they cause fast absorption into the body.