A new fitness program for diabetes patients may be the key to better health management.

More than ever, people are focused on the number of steps they take per day, especially with the growing popularity of apps and fitness trackers. Putting one foot in front of the other is an accessible way to get active and see results. A new program called Everyday Steps aims to help the nearly 28 million Americans with type 2 diabetes increase their physical activity with walking to help manage their condition.

 

Did You Know: Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90-95 percent of all cases of diagnosed diabetes in the United States.

 

Since those with type 2 diabetes may find it challenging to maintain a fitness regimen, it’s advisable to keep it simple by taking it one step at a time with the help of this new walking program being launched across the country. The program is specifically designed to help people living with type 2 diabetes. The plan includes a guide with 12 tips that can help individuals start the walking activity daily and stick with it.

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There are many key benefits of a walking program, including:

• Reducing blood sugar and improving body’s ability to use insulin
• Lowering risk of high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke
• Boosting good cholesterol levels and lowering bad cholesterol numbers
• Lowering stress levels
• Strengthening muscles and bones

 

Fitness expert Sheri Colberg, PhD, along with endocrinologist Serge Jabbour, MD joined me recently to discuss the Everyday Steps walking program, organized by AstraZeneca Diabetes and the Diabetes Hands Foundation. The two shared details about the fitness program for diabetes patients including tips on how to set a daily target, keep a log and ways to make it fun. They also outlined some additional components that those with type 2 diabetes should consider when managing their overall care, including healthy eating habits for diabetes and treatment plan.

Fitness Program for Diabetes Patients

Take a look at our chat below.

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To learn more, visit:  www.everydaystepsguide.com.

Fitness Program for Diabetes Patients

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Meet Our Guests:

 

Dr. Serge J. Jabbour MD, FACP, FACE is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolic Diseases in the Department of Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is also Director of the Jefferson Diabetes Center & Jefferson Weight Management Program.

Dr Jabbour earned his medical degree in 1993 from Saint-Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine, in Lebanon. He completed his training in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolic Diseases in 1999 at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Dr Jabbour is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, The Endocrine Society, American Diabetes Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

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Dr. Sheri R. Colberg, PhD, FACSM, is a Professor of Exercise Science at Old Dominion University and Adjunct Professor of Internal Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School. A graduate of Stanford, University of California, Davis, and Cal Berkeley, she is an internationally recognized authority on diabetes and exercise. She has led the way in shaping physical activity guidelines for many professional organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Dr. Colberg is a successfully funded research and the author of 10 books, 18 book chapters, and over 280 articles. She is best known for Diabetic Athlete’s Handbook, the only book of its kind for active insulin users, as well as Exercise and Diabetes: A Clinician’s Guide to Prescribing Physical Activity, published by the American Diabetes Association. In the past two decades, she has dedicated her career to providing education and guidance to help people with diabetes exercise safely and effectively.

This year, she is the recipient of a national award from the American Diabetes Association, the 2016 Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award, which recognizes a distinguished health professional who has made outstanding educational efforts in diabetes and demonstrated significant contributions to the understanding of diabetes education.

Fitness Program for Diabetes Patients