Think you can’t become a successful athlete because you have diabetes? Think again! While there have been several incredible athletes with Type 1 diabetes over the years, I recently discovered one who partakes in my favorite kind of training! Bodybuilding!
Doug Burns has had Type 1 diabetes since he was seven years old. He’s won a Mr. Universe title (a bodybuilding competition) and all the while, he maintains excellent control over his diabetes. The fact is, he actually wouldn’t be able to be successful in the sport if his diabetes wasn’t in tight control because any extra insulin leads to fat storage, high glucose prevents proper muscle building and recovery, and the amount and intensity of the training requires stable blood sugars simply in order to have enough energy and stamina to endure it all.
At first, because Doug was diagnosed so young and so long ago, his blood sugars were incredibly out of control because he didn’t have a glucose meter or proper knowledge on how to adjust his insulin doses. Today, he couldn’t be healthier.
He uses an insulin pump now and tests his blood sugar often, especially when it’s getting closer to competition time and he’s trying to burn more fat. His diet is absolutely a major part of his success. As any bodybuilder will tell you, all the exercise in the world won’t create a healthy body if it isn’t balanced with proper nutrition. When he’s training for a competition, Doug really focuses on increasing his exercise amounts (he loves to swim) and he decreases his carbohydrates and increases his protein intake in order to lower his insulin needs.
What’s his real secret? He’ll say it’s simply that he never gives up and he’s very self-disciplined. There are of course days when he doesn’t feel like working out, but he does it anyway. By the time he’s ten minutes into his workout, he feels better and remembers what his goals are and the benefits of living so healthfully.
Basically, diabetes can’t stop you. But real success in any sport—whether it’s in the little league or in the major league—requires a lot of attention to your diabetes. Your blood sugar has to be your main priority because if that’s out of whack and dropping high and low, you won’t be able to perform or train safely or effectively!
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