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    • 5 hours, 17 minutes ago
      Lenora Ventura likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 6 hours, 52 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      same here. I was able to get a neurologist to diagnose it as that.
    • 6 hours, 53 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I have developed this very weird numbness and pain in my left outer thigh which I attribute to neuropathy, although there has been no official diagnosis. Of course, like every good diabetic, I did my own research and found that it is called meralgia paresthetica. It only comes on intermittently and rarely interferes with daily functions. Rest remedies it. Having lived with T1D for 56 years so far, I consider myself to be pretty lucky...so far.
    • 6 hours, 54 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I feel the same way. I'm never sure who to believe or how to get a valid assessment.
    • 6 hours, 54 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 9 hours, 37 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      Gastroparesis
    • 9 hours, 38 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      In late summer of 2017 I lost all feeling in both lower extremities to my hips and both upper extremities to my shoulders. It was not all diabetic related though. Lowered the drug in my chemo regimen but didn't reverse by next treatment, so that drug was stopped. Slowly I regained feeling in my arms and legs; left with no sensation in hands & feet up to ankles & wrist. I'm thankful that my oncologist realized that it wasn't just a diabetic thing.
    • 12 hours, 28 minutes ago
      Sandra Rosborough likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 13 hours, 16 minutes ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 23 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      My feet were killing me when I started taking insulin. Saw on another website that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) was good for neuropathy. Once I started taking it, the pain was gone within a week! Still using it 20 years later, still pain free
    • 16 hours, 23 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 43 minutes ago
      magoo likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 43 minutes ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 56 minutes ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      I spend a bit of time in my garden, yardwork , the animal shelter. Days I'm not with the Shelter my herd gets walked.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      avid cyclist for many years now ........... OK ..... add in resident year around maintenance yard work
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Walking and hiking.
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      Steven Gill likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Try pausing insulin on your pump if you are below 150mg/dl.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Daniel Bestvater likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 2 days, 13 hours ago
      Bonnie Lundblom likes your comment at
      What event(s) prompt you to calibrate your CGM? Select all that apply.
      I always do 3 successive finger sticks about 1 day after applying a new G7 sensor. I'm amazed at how much variability there is among sensors. Some are spot on, and remain so during the entire 10 days, while the worst I saw was off 100 mg/dl at the start (reading half of the actual level) (I demanded -- and got -- a replacement for that outlier, since I did't want to have to trust it for days and go through piles of strips just to see if it was as bad as it seemed). I generally also do another batch of 3 tests several days later, just to check. I care about accuracy. I've found that it is essential to do multiple sequential finger sticks to get an accurate number from strips, since they too are far more variable than I am comfortable with. If the variability in strips is too great, I do 4 tests rather than 3, and throw out one, averaging the rest. I love my CGM, but it doesn't completely replace strips.
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    What is your ideal blood glucose level before doing 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g. going for a brisk walk, mowing the lawn, light bike riding)?

    Home > LC Polls > What is your ideal blood glucose level before doing 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g. going for a brisk walk, mowing the lawn, light bike riding)?
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    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    21 Comments

    1. Joan McGinnis

      I am new to control IQ do not positive what my ideal blood sugar should be yet but 150 wd definitely be safe so far and maybe lower

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Lawrence Stearns

      This is a real issue for me. My blood sugar drops like a rock when I exercise. Generally, I try to get up to 200 or more before I go out and run or ride my bike. I also deal with gastroparesis, which makes it almost impossible to get my blood sugars to rise. It could take anywhere from 1 hour to 5 or 6 hours to get my blood sugar to rise. So, it is important for me to get my blood sugars very high before I workout. Very, very frustrating! I do vigorous exercise every other day, or more often.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Daniel Bestvater

      Depends what type of exercise; running 180-200, walking 140-160

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Clearblueskynm

      For me it’s not the blood glucose number as much as it is insulin on board. If I have even 1/2 unit still active then I will drop like a rock. If I have reduced my basal rate by at least 3/4 approximately 1 hour before exercise, and I have no active insulin on board I don’t drop. Similarly, if I’m high and dose and see no response, light walking, stretching etc will drop me nicely, unless there is a problem with the pump site or the insulin.

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Greg Felton

      It’s not that simple. It depends on insulin on board (IOB), the trend arrow, and whether I have cut back on my basal rate ahead of time.

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Sherolyn Newell

      I agree with the people who say it’s more a matter of IOB than glucose levels. I can do any of those things with no IOB (other than basal) with very little drop in BG. With IOB, I would be getting low alarms pretty quickly.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Patricia Dalrymple

      I picked a number but I really don’t think about that and plan it out. I do say to my husband who is not a planner: are we going for that walk NOW or in an hour and will bolus accordingly. My worst lows are when I change reservoirs for the first 6 hours or so or a new bottle in insulin. I always turn my basal down. And vacuuming. That gets me more than just walking or riding my bike. I always go low vacuuming. I guess I get my whole body into it 😄

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. KCR

      Even with little or no IOB exercise tends to drop my BG faster than I’d like unless I reduce my basal an hour in advance. I am not as fit as I’d like to be (or use to be) and need to regain strength and stamina so I am trying to figure out how to resume exercise safely–I hate those overnight lows!

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Jana Wardian

      I really try to make sure I have minimal IOB as well.

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. George O Hamilton

      I used the 120-139 bracket for my vote, but as many are commenting, I am more concerned with the trend line on my BG and the amount of insulin I have on board. The interaction of these will cause my BG to drop fast if I do not have carbs to burn. My walking routine is about one mile at a time. That is enough to lower BG by at least 30 points depending on these other factors.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Ceolmhor

      The answers here are very interesting to me. I’ve always focused on sensor glucose, trend (arrows or just observation of the profile), and carbs in processing (I tend to take extra carbs, 8g every 15 minutes, before significant exercise, twice for a 30-minute workout, three times for a 60-minute workout). I also sometimes use a temp target (i.e., a period of reduced basals). But I’ve never tried to get my IOB to zero because I was taught that that’s needed to allow absorption of the glucose the muscles need during exercise. I guess you guys have given me a new question to research. 🙂

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Andrew Stewart

      As mentioned already there are several factors: IOB, food on board, do I put my tandem tslim X2 with Control-IQ in exercise mode, what’s my intensity and duration. The problem with my newish (since 5/2021) tslim is that when I go surfing, not only am I in the dark regarding my BG (CGM) values but I’m also disconnected (no basal which could be good or bad) so I tend to fuel up prior to elevate my BG and sometimes I’m in range after two plus hours in the water but not always. I do have the Baqsimi nasal glucagon spray and apple juice should I need them but they are back on shore.

      I am looking forward to the Dexcom G7 which I think will pair with smart watches directly (without a phone in range) allowing me to at least stay informed on my BGs while surfing.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Becky Hertz

      135-170

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. AnitaS

      I don’t really know if I have an ideal number, but since my sugar usually drops quite a bit, I like it to be around 140 or possibly higher for some wiggle room although I have started exercising at 120 and it didn’t drop below 110. Exercise is tricky.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Ahh Life

      The ideal bell shaped curve. What bothers me are the folks at <80 and the folks at less than 99. Just exactly, HOW do you do it? Please clarify. ¯\_( ͡❛ ‿‿ ͡❛)_/¯

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Lance Prince

      In my experience, this was the largest impact of going on a keto diet 8 years ago. Exercise no longer causes hypoglycemia episodes! I still see highs with higher intensity work outs (which i admit very rarely doing).

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Karen Brady

      This is really tough for me as we’re trying to get pregnant, so I want my a1c as low as possible.
      The highest your bgl is “supposed to” go is 140, but I don’t feel comfortable starting exercise if I’m below 120.
      Anyone else experience this problem?

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Wanacure

      Before I had a CGM nighttime hypoglycemia was always a risk despite lowering both long acting and short acting insulins AND eating extra carbs before and after doing 40’ aerobic 3x/week.

      With a CGM my goal is to see how close I’m keeping bg within 70 – 130, the “normal range” at all times when I start going back to the gym. A fanny pack with sugar cubes and nutrition bars or granola is an absolute necessity for me. Even swimming pools let you put your backpack or a small fanny pack on the deck.

      There’s a diabetic exercise book that shows how many calories you’re burning per minute for various exercises that I found quite helpful.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Cheryl Seibert

      I chose 120-139. 140-159 is higher than I like to be, but that would be acceptable to before exercise. My choice would also be dependent on how much insulin I have on board prior to exercise

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Steve Gold

      I have no idea, however I look at my CGM and if I’ve eaten recently, and it’s 200 mg/dl and declining I will be very cautious/

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Molly Jones

      I chose under 80 and have no idea why. Maybe I misread the question of after instead of before. Or possibly ideal being in an alternate reality where I do not deal with glucose fluctuations.
      My ideal BG would be above 140 or higher and my insulin would be stopped during the exercise.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply

    What is your ideal blood glucose level before doing 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g. going for a brisk walk, mowing the lawn, light bike riding)? Cancel reply

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