Exercise and Diabetes - presentation by Neil Gibson, who is the senior physical activity advisor at Diabetes UK
Notes from our group meeting of the 16th of September 2025.
Neil Gibson, who is the senior physical activity advisor at Diabetes UK and the author of “We are undefeatable campaign”. https://weareundefeatable.co.uk gave us an interesting talk on ‘Exercise and Diabetes’
• The number one aim for gym/ health magazine etc is money.
• Benefits of physical activity outweigh the risks.
• Talk to your GP or heath advisor before undertaking a new activity.
• Everyone is individual and therefore each of us will have a different reaction in blood glucose readings.
• Enjoy the activity.
• Be more active, move more, be less sedentary.
• Minimise sedentary time.
• The benefits of physical activity—better cardio, helps with depression, avoid hip fracture, better heart health, uses insulin better, helps blood pressure and complications of diabetes.
• Build activity into everyday life.
• Look after your feet with physical activity, inspect your feet and moisturise.
• Stress will affect your blood sugar levels.
• Strenuous exercise (anaerobic) such as weight training, sprinting and speed cycling etc. can raise blood sugar levels.
• Other exercise (Aerobic) such as jogging, walking, gardening etc. can lower blood sugar levels.
• If you have had a severe hypo avoid exercise for 24 hours.
• Stay hydrated.
• Set realistic targets, enjoy, be creative, be gradual and use apps if needed.