A lack of exercise can result in increased weight, higher blood pressure, higher stress levels and higher levels of bad cholesterol to name a few.

The problem for the type 2 diabetic is that the sufferer is more at risk from cardiovascular disease than the non diabetic. This is why it’s so important to exercise regularly.

Some people worry about the word “exercise”, particularly as many are overwieght, and the thought of going to a gym horrifes them. Simply walking a set distance every day can make a vast difference.

I decided to investigate my local area and plan some walks. A big scale map can help with this, as you can also measure each walk so that you know how far you have been. A mile a day is a good start.

You should find, as I did, that when you have been doing this regularly for about 8 weeks, you will notice a real change in your mood and even your wieght!

If you are an animal lover, now may be the time to get that dog you always wanted. Be careful though, they are a 10-20 year commitment, but if you do get one, you have no choice but to walk, so you no longer have to rely on willpower alone!

However, you do have to be careful if you suffer from certain diabetic conditions:

1. Diabetic Retinopathy

The most important form of eye disease to think about is diabetic retinopathy. The need to protect the eyes here is of absolute importance, and has little to do with wearing eye protectors (although this may be necessary depending on what you are doing). It has everything to do with not, for example, doing exercise where your eyes go below the level of your heart, or where an increase in pressure is likely - underwater skindiving for example. Sudden shocks to the head should also be avoided.

2. Kidney Disease

You need to be careful with kidney disease, or neuropathy as it is called. An increase in blood pressure, particularly when doing hard exercise for long periods, should not be allowed.

3. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

PAD manifests itself as a pain in the legs when walking. This is where the arteries become clogged, and although common to both diebetics and non diabetics, it develops much more quickly in diabetics. Basically, after 10 years of diabetes 30% of both women and men no longer feel a pulse in their feet.

The result is pain in the legs after walking a certain distance. The way to exercise with this condition is to walk a distance just short of the distance at which pain begins and rest. Then having rested walk the same distance again, and then rest again. Keep repeating this process.

Eventually you may find that you can walk longer and longer distances as the exercise stimulates growth of more blood vessels in the legs. Exercise is an emotive word for many people, but as you can see, exercise doesn’t have to be about sweat and tears!

Toby was found to be a type 2 diabetic over 2 years ago. He is keen to stay active, and assist others with his unique experiences of the disease. He also has diverse interests, visit his latest website about ryobi 18v battery at http://www.ryobi 18v battery.net

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