Healthy Lifestyle Programs

Resistance training, recommended 2-3 times a week by Diabetes Canada, helps improve diabetes management by building and maintaining lean muscle, burning calories at rest, and aiding in weight control. Simple resistance exercises can be done at home with items like exercise bands, dumbbells, or even household objects, offering benefits such as better blood sugar control, increased strength, and improved overall health. Start with 2 sets of 8 repetitions and gradually progress to 3 sets of 12.

Take charge of your health with LifeStyleRx videos by understanding metabolism—the process of turning food into energy, growth, and repair—which is key to staying strong and healthy while avoiding metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes.

An aerobic exercise plan from Diabetes Canada helps improve cardiovascular fitness and is crucial for managing diabetes. The plan encourages regular aerobic activity (e.g., walking) and gradually increases frequency, intensity, and duration. It is important to exercise regularly and monitor blood sugar, as exercise may affect medication responses. The intensity of exercise is rated on a scale from 0 (rest) to 10 (maximal). Benefits of exercise include improved blood sugar control, reduced diabetes complications, and better overall health. Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-oriented) helps stay motivated and track progress.

This Diabetes Canada webinar highlights that regular physical activity offers numerous benefits, including better blood sugar control, but balancing a fitness routine with a busy schedule can be difficult.

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for controlling type 2 diabetes. Excess weight can increase insulin resistance and make blood sugar management more challenging. Set realistic weight goals and work towards achieving them through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% of your body weight can significantly improve blood sugar control.

Inspire Health offers free personalized and group support in various areas, including stress and mental health counseling, managing treatment side effects, nutritional guidance, exercise therapy to enhance recovery, sleep and energy improvement, and balancing work, life, and relationships. As a non-profit organization, we provide free programs and services both online and at our centers located in Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna.

Regular exercise plays a key role in diabetes management. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, per week, along with strength training exercises twice a week. Exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar levels, and supports overall cardiovascular health. Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, finding enjoyable activities to ensure consistency.

Like many activities, physical exercise is more enjoyable with others. If you want to foster a sense of community through movement at your workplace, organization, or other groups, here are some programs to help you get started.

Diabetes Canada organizes engaging and community-focused events like Lace Up for Diabetes and Glow Blue. These events promote awareness, healthy living, and fundraising for diabetes research and support. Lace Up for Diabetes encourages participants to stay active through walking or running challenges, while Glow Blue events celebrate World Diabetes Day with illuminating activities and education. These initiatives aim to inspire healthier lifestyles and foster community spirit in the fight against diabetes.