Tackling the Garcia Trail

Exercising can be a little tricky for someone with diabetes. We have to take extra precautions, because we never quite know how our bodies will react.  Today my cousin in law and good friend decided to tackle an intense hike with me that was 2.4 miles round trip and about 1,100 ft. uphill. I prepared accordingly by packing water, snacks, candy for low blood sugars, my testing kit and a few other things.

I started out my morning with a hearty breakfast. My blood glucose reading before breakfast was 73 and I ate approximately 50 carbs. I was taught to always eat before a workout, and to only bolus for half of  the carbohydrates consumed, because the exercise can dramatically lower ones blood glucose. However, some recent articles I have read have also indicated that sometimes exercise can have the opposite effect on someones blood sugar. Sometimes exercise can raise someones blood sugar, because the body releases adrenaline which is a hormone that causes glucose levels to rise. I think I might have experienced this today on my hike.

About half way through the hike we stopped to catch our breaths, get a drink  of water and check my blood sugar. I was expecting to see a low number or at least a number within my ideal range which is typically 70 to 150 post meals. Much to my surprise my blood sugar reading was 229. Once we reached the top of the trail it had come down to 191. The next time I take on the Garcia trail I will bolus for 3/4 of the carbs I consume and see how my diabetes reacts.

It took us 1 1/2 hours to complete this hike. I had a great time and I felt fantastic once we completed it. It was unfortunate that my blood sugar did not cooperate as well as I would have wanted it to, but there is always next time to try something different. Sometimes I feel like a scientist constantly carrying out experiments on myself. I guess that the only way to be “normal” is to find alternative ways to get to the same conclusions.

On another note can I just say that it was a BEAUTIFUL day in Southern California. I hope we are blessed with similar weather next weekend, so we can take on another trail! Thanks Denise for accompanying me!

Walking gets the feet moving, the blood moving, the mind moving.  And movement is life.
~Carrie Latet