The Importance of Insulin During Training

Anna College My name is Anna. I’m a graduating high school senior (’09) and... Send Message Subscribe: Anna

Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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The first sport I did after I was diagnosed with diabetes was middle school track and field, in seventh grade. Although I had had diabetes for more than a year, I did not have much experience with managing my blood sugar while being so active. (I think that anyone will agree with me when ...

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Dancing with Type 1
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 02:56 PM

Thank you for a detailed explanation of lowering basal rates and keeping some insulin on board during training. I too take off my pump during exercise. One I don't want to go low, and two, I dance, take zumba and yoga, and the pump pulls down my yoga pants. I am considering using an omnipod instead of my minimed pump for that reason. What do you use?

Pumps
Anna
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 03:09 PM

I use a minimed- Paradigm 722. I did look into the omnipod; have you seen it in real life? It is definately a little bit bigger than it looks in the pictures.

Every once in a while I do a yoga class too- so I get what you're saying. Since yoga classes as usually only an hour, I think it is ok to disconnect for that time. You know what your hourly basal rate is, so you could also consider taking the insulin that you would miss as a bolus.

For example, if you take 1.00 units an hour, you could take .5 before class, and if your blood sugar is stable, the other .5 about half way through class. That way, you still get the benefit of having insulin in your system and avoid the post workout spike, but you don't actually have to wear the pump.

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LongtimeDiabetes
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 03:42 PM

Your process of using lower insulin plus providing fresh carbs is they key to level energy. Good thinking! Best of luck training for Pikes Peak!

the Omnipod
Svati
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 03:42 PM

I have tried using the OmniPod and didn't like it. However, many diabetic athletes use it - such as Team Type 1. The good thing about it is that while you are exercising you can still get a steady delivery of insulin without worrying about where to wear your pump. Of course, the OmniPod itself is kind of bulky to wear, but I guess you get used to it.

Way to go Anna!
Ann Bartlett
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 08:25 PM

This is great piece of practical advice! Well said and laid out to perfection! Even I pulled info from it and I've been an avid runner and hiker my whole life! Well done!

I spend my free time hiking 8-10 hours, and those long hauls are always a calculation nightmare!

As for the yoga pants comment above.. I teach yoga and there has to be a way around this pants problem! God forbid I wear anything that doesn't have a drawstring!

Thanks for sharing!

Ann