If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or have risk factors for type 2 diabetes, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of developing the condition. These steps include:

Insulin is a hormone produced in the body. It helps glucose move out of the blood and into body tissue for use as energy. Excess body weight makes your tissues less responsive to insulin. This can lead to high blood sugar. By losing weight, your body tissues will be more sensitive to insulin and will be better able to use insulin. Studies suggests that you can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 58% through moderate, sustained weight loss (between 4%-5% weight loss for three years) and daily exercise.

Regular exercise can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes in two ways:

  • Exercise alone lowers blood sugar levels by making your cells more sensitive to insulin.
  • Regular exercise will help you lose weight.

Heart disease is a common complication of diabetes. Regular exercise can help lower the levels of fat and cholesterol in your blood and lower your blood pressure. This will decrease your risk for heart disease.

Choose exercises that you enjoy. Make it part of your daily routine. Strive to maintain an exercise program that keeps you fit and at a healthy weight. For most people, this could include walking briskly or participating in another aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes per day.

Before you start any exercise program, talk to your doctor. It is important that you wear a diabetes identification bracelet when you exercise.