SO FRUSTRATED!!
Tonight I tried a spinning class for the first time at my school's gym. Although I suspended my pump during the workout and ate a protein-enriched granola bar beforehand, I still went low and had to sit out for the second half of the class. It's really discouraging to just sit back while checking your bs over and over again until you can jump back into your workout. I was 57 about 30 mins into the class and was 87 before I started the workout, but I figured I'd be fine. After drinking a juice box without much of a raise, I had to drink another one. I used about 7 strips at the gym alone. Not only is that super expensive, it's not exactly a pleasant sensation. I just had to vent about this, because I'm trying to lose 10 lbs and I don't see how it's going to come off if I have to keep cutting my workouts short or drink my calories back. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Also, does anyone know of high protein but low fat snacks that would be ideal for before working out? Thanks!
Hayley
*I didn't ask for this, but maybe God knew I could handle it.* <3
Not much of a thought, but how about putting pump in S sometime before class. I do MDI and find I do better that way, start a little high??
I totally understand your frustration! I aim for a blood sugar of around 180 sometimes higher, before I go for a 30-45 minute run. I am not sure if this is the best idea, but it is so frustrating if you have to stop because of your blood sugars rather than being worn out. As for the protein snack - I drink a whey protein shake when I lift weights. There are some with no added sugars, and very little carbs. Hope that helps a little!
Check what you have on board as active insulin, Basal or Bolus within four hours before you start exercising. In my experience, suspending your Basal less than an hour before intense activity like running will require a bolus post activity because of the reduction in active insulin for four hours hours after suspending the basal.
If I do aggressive and lengthy activity like running for > 35 min and start with a BG of +185, my BG sill rise. It is a chemical inevitability because of the changes in physiology during the longer activity.
The trick on basal is to reduce (temp basal) it about an hour before you start the activity and then bring it back up about 30 min. before ending the activity. This has worked great for me on 2 to 6 hour bike rides and 45+ min runs in the summer.
@Keith221, I already have tried suspending my pump beforehand and I don't want to start too high because that's not healthy for my body.
@Ginny, I will try finding protein shakes!
@Sjwprod, won't there most likely be some active insulin on board within four hours at any given time before a workout? Also, I have done aggressive and lengthy activity for more than 35 min and started with a BG of 185+ and still find myself going LOW..maybe it's just a difference between the rate at which our bodies absorb insulin? There are so many factors that can apply! :( I will try reducing my basal (about half?) an hour before I start and then bring it back up probably 15 minutes before ending my workout and I'll let you know if that helps.
Thanks guys!