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I would like to lose a few pounds by running after work.
If I exercise hard after work, I end up having to eat loads of carbohydrates (even with no insulin) to prevent hypos in the evening/night.
I find I end up snacking alot in the evening to keep blood sugar levels up, eating up all the calories I’ve just burnt off!
I know I could start my exercise with slightly elevated blood sugars, but I need my sugars to be in a healthy range while at work as it aids concentration.
Please advise.
Exercising can be difficult as a type 1 diabetic, but the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Because hypoglycemia can occur during, immediately after, or many hours after exercising, the key is to always have your glucometer on you and to carry some fast-acting carbohydrate with you at all times in case of hypoglycemia. In your case, I would try having a snack right before starting to exercise, especially if your glucose is less than 100mg/dL at that point. This way, you will avoid having high sugars while you are at work, but it will give you a buffer as you exercise. Also, plan ahead to decrease your basal insulin for the day and night you are exercising. I recommend when starting intense exercise to monitor frequently to better understand how your particular body responds to different situations. The more frequently you check, the more you can learn, and you can use that knowledge to make an insulin regimen that works for you.
Be sure to consult your doctor about any changes you might make in your insulin regimen.