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Based on your responses from yesterday's question (what you usually do before exercise), what would you say is your ideal blood glucose range before engaging in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (i.e., working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat but still be able to talk)?
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I wasn’t sure how to answer yesterday. Because I’m retired and was working from home previously, anyway….I have always been fortunate to have exercise equipment right here. It has meant that I have a firm “habit” of exercising after breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner. When circumstances don’t allow for that I adjust my mealtime insulin up a little.
I said 120 – 139, but will start at almost any glucose (other than a low) if I have taken the proper steps to deal with it. In addition, I lower my basal rate and if I have eaten, I take about a 50% bolus to cover my food. For CIQ, I have an exercise basal pattern with a very low correction so it won’t over correct me. I don’t use the activity mode.
It depends on how insulin on baord i have before starting the exercise. IF zero insulin on board, then i strive for a starting blood glucose of 120. If insulin on board, then my starting BG should be about 160 to 180.
Although I chose a range, it would be more accurate to say “unsure.”
I put glucose tabs in my pocket and go.
I said, “160-179 mg/dL (8.9-9.9 mmol/L) “. But, today I went out at 147, and my BG levels stayed level, around 120 for one hour of medium to hard bike riding. A year ago, I would have answered over 200 mg/dl. But, since I’ve been drinking protein prior to my workouts, I can start at much lower BG levels, and maintain good numbers throughout my workout.
I actually try to have my blood glucose at 115 – 120mg/dl before exercise. If I know I will be working up a sweat, closer to the 120 mark. If a walk around the park, 115 is fine.
I put 120-139, but depending but I may still have to add a small carb/protein snack before starting if I have IOB. . I also start a lower basal rate and activity mode and hour before I start exercising and shut off the basal mode and lower basal setting right as I start exercising since the exercise is only 1/2 hour.
I’m in a minority class 180-199) likely because I use exercise right after breakfast to allow me to indulge in fruit and a bit of chocolate. Consequently, I start high, counting on exercise to bring me into the desired range. Moreover, it is easier to exercise vigorously when I have a good load of insulin and blood sugar on board.
I often walk after eating which means I have insulin on board. So my blood glucose will be above ideal at the start of my walk. If I have no insulin on board, I would like to be in the vicinity of 110 and I will consume carbs as needed. Occasionally I do walks of 30 plus miles.
I selected 140-159 mg/dL, but it’s probably more like 140-199 mg/dL. If I have insulin on board, I shoot for the higher side of that range and still have to watch my CGM like a hawk. My BGs tend to tank quickly with physical exertion. Even with the Control IQ exercise settings on, I usually need to carb compensate.
As long as it’s been at least 3-4 hours since taking injected rapid-acting insulin or 1-2 hours since taking inhaled insulin, I can start my workout at 80 or 100 or whatever and not go low. It’s all about insulin-on-board!
It all depends on circumstances — see previous day comment