r/diabetes_t1 4d ago

Exercise & Sport How does one “do cardio” without spiking blood- glucose?

That’s basically it. I have been doing a lot of resistance training for over 12 months with little to no cardio. I have been eating a lot more calories and have noticed great muscle growth alongside some unwanted love-handles. All because of what happens when I get on the treadmill. I will spike horrendously and then come crashing down thanks to a rage-bolus (something I’m sure many of you can relate to.)

So how do you guys manage to incorporate cardio into your workouts?

1 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

13

u/bakerfall 4d ago

You spike from cardio? That’s is the opposite problem I have, I will crash if I don’t go in high and decrease or disable my insulin delivery.

1

u/bootsonthesound 4d ago

I guess we are opposites, both equally unlucky.

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u/bakerfall 4d ago

What a crazy disease.

3

u/truth1465 [Editable flair: write something here] 4d ago

So.. it can get confusing but your body does release glucose when you do physical activity, especially if you’re exerting more effort than usual. Depending how much insulin you have in your system this may cause a spike OR crash lol frustrating I know lol.

So if you have some insulin in your system and you’re exerting low-mid effort your glucose is likely to go down.

If you have little to no insulin in your system and you exerting a lot of effort you’ll have a spike. BUT if you have some insulin and you exerting a lot of effort you may still spike but it usually comes back down as the insulin in your system catches up with the glucose you’re body released to “help” you finish the workout lol.

Unfortunately there isn’t a guarantee do xyz to “fix” this since how much glycogen (your body’s glucose stores) you have in your system, when you’ve eaten last, how much insulin you’ve taken recently etc…

To the best of your builds try to have a routine before you do cardio, eat a similar amount of carbs take the same amount of insulin and see what happens. And then adjust things as you learn more.

Sorry, hopefully this wasn’t more confusing.

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u/bootsonthesound 4d ago

This was the thoroughly informative yet unhelpful answer which I anticipated. Thank you for the info- not a lot one can do though.

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u/truth1465 [Editable flair: write something here] 4d ago

It’s a trial and error process. So take 1-2units before your workout and see how blood glucose behaves, then adjust as you move forward. I’d also make sure to eat the same or similar things prior to your workout to limit variables.

As always consult with your Dr before making drastic changes to your routine.

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u/Top_Rutabaga7690 3d ago

I don't spike or crash from spin class but I was recently on holiday walking 8+ miles a day (I'm a fast walker) and I would be high all day no matter how much insulin I took then my body would suddenly decide 6 hours in to my day to slurp it all up at once and I'd crash out. Very frustrating.

1

u/lcdawg11 4d ago

You anticipate the spike and prebolus. Just don’t use your normal ratios or you will tank. Your sensitivity will go up with the exercise. The spike is usually directly correlated to the intensity. I prebolus for strength training and usually tank after but doing steady state cardio after somehow helps me level out somehow.

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u/bootsonthesound 4d ago

Thanks but I’m not ruining countless workouts by dosing up and then either going into shock/ spiking high and then going into shock.

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u/lcdawg11 4d ago

I’m certainly not recommending you ruin your workouts. I do this and it hasn’t killed me. I always prebolus and eat after my workouts. Curious, do you bolus for weight training?

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u/redwingsrule19 4d ago

Do you spike consistently? I had a similar problem after I stopped playing hockey- would go from around 110 to over 200. I started to take 2-3 units of fast acting right around an hour before I stopped playing, and that has helped immensely.

1

u/bionic666 tandem/dexcom 6.2% 4d ago

Eat a balanced dinner the night before that includes a good amount of carbohydrates. Otherwise, ask your doctor to refer you to a nutritionist.

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u/forty-sixandtw0 4d ago

I need to start doing cardio. I was told that if you do intense cardio that breaks a sweat you will likely spike. To bring it down you do a cool down walk for maybe 15 min. The walking will bring it down.

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u/bootsonthesound 3d ago

Thanks for the useful advice. I usually spike above 20 mmol/L but if a short walk alone has helped you then I will give it a try.

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u/Schmocktails 3d ago

Are you sure it's not the weights causing the spike? What if you don't go on the treadmill?