Regular activity is a key part of managing diabetes along with proper meal planning, taking medications as prescribed, and stress management. Exercising consistently can lower blood glucose and improve your A1C. When you lower your A1C, you may be able to take fewer diabetes pills or less insulin. Exercise has so many benefits, but the biggest one is that it makes it easier to control your blood glucose (blood sugar) level. People with type 2 diabetes have too much glucose in their blood, either because their body doesn’t produce enough insulin to process it, or because their body doesn’t use insulin properly (insulin resistance). In either case, exercise can reduce the glucose in your blood. Muscles can use glucose without insulin when you are exercising. In other words, it doesn`t matter if you are insulin resistant or if you don’t have enough insulin: when you exercise, your muscles get the glucose they need, and in turn, your blood glucose level goes down. If you are insulin resistant, exercise actually makes your insulin more effective. That is - your insulin resistance goes down when you exercise, and your cells can use the glucose more effectively. Exercise can also help people with type 2 diabetes avoid long-term complications, especially heart problems. Exercise helps keep your heart healthy and strong. Plus, exercise helps you to increase HDL cholesterol, (good cholesterol) that helps you avoid Heart Attack or Brain Attack. Regular physical activity: * lowers blood pressure and LDL cholesterol * lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke * burns calories to help you lose or maintain weight * increases your energy for daily activities * helps you sleep better * relieves stress * strengthens your heart and improves your blood circulation * strengthens your muscles and bones * keeps your joints flexible * improves your balance to prevent falls * reduces symptoms of depression and improves quality of life Source: Times of India