Introduction to
Resistance Exercise
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Keeping your muscles active and healthy through regular
resistance training will greatly improve your management of
diabetes. Diabetes Canada recommends resistance activities
three times a week.
Resistance exercise uses more muscles than just walking. It
uses upper body muscles that are rarely used in society today.
Resistance training also maintains or increases lean muscle.
This type of exercise helps to burn calories at rest throughout
the day, which is important for weight control and diabetes
management, especially as we age.
You do not have to go to a gym to get the benefits of
resistance training. All you need are simple forms of
resistance such as the following:
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1 Exercise bands
2 Your own body weight
3 Light dumbbells or hand weights
4 Other items you may find around the
house such as milk jugs filled with
water