Exercise and Metabolism

Persons with a slow metabolic set point tend to gain weight easily and store fat more readily. Persons with a high metabolic set point seem to be able to eat anything and not gain any weight or get any fatter. Studies have shown that you can reset your metabolic set point with changes in your exercise/index.html">diet and exercise.

When you exercise, you burn all three primary fuel sources: carbs, fats and proteins. Generally speaking, moderate exercise burns these fuels fairly equally. As the intensity of your training increases, the amount of fats and proteins used for fuel actually decreases, with carbs being the primary fuel source.

As your body fat decreases - the product of aerobic exercise at least three times a week for not less than 20 minutes - your metabolism picks up. This is also true as yous increase muscle mass, as well, as the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism is.

In relation to diabetes, we already know that improved metabolism assists in stabilizing blood sugar. So, it stands to reason that, by exercising, changing your body shape and chemical composition, you will gain more stable blood sugars and more consistent metabolism to promote weight management.

Weight loss and increase in your body's percentage of muscle improve your ability to manage your diabetes and decrease the risk for complications associated with diabetes.

Talk to you doctor before starting any new exercise program, then suit up and get the metabolism moving!