diabetes and bodybuilding

[blackrhino]

Can i diabetic build quality muscle?If so how?

[aLptHW4k4y]

By going to the gym?

[blackrhino]

Are you diabetic?

[joej627]

The diabetes shouldn't slow you down.  I wouldn't focus so much on building muscle mass though while you are tackling the diabetes.  Focus on metabolic conditioning (bodyweight, calisthenics, cardio, biking, walking)

-push ups, pull ups, sit ups, lunges, whatever you like just mix it up

After your body recoups and you can absorb and digest food like a pro, then you can up the muscle.  It's basically like the car engine can't process the gas.  It's not so much about how much you eat but the QUALITY.  You will find that in time, you will naturally be a lot less hungry after you start feeding the body everything it wants.  Most of the time when people overeat, it's because we don't have the nutrition (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, enzymes) so we just keep eating trying to get it.

[achillezzz]

High fat very low carb diet can create a condition we all call diabetes type 2

[jessica]

i think you just have to monitor your blood sugar very closely and make sure you eat proper meals and have small snacks with you incase your blood sugar should drop.  i know that super low blood sugar has always made me over eat at meals and conversely then damaged my body with super high blood sugar.  start slow, understand your body and how it feels at different levels of exertion and length of exercise and how you can tell your blood sugar is getting too low where you should really stop and have a snack or schedule your work out so that you can enjoy your next meal shortly thereafter

[Dorothy]

Rhino - real important for diabetics to test blood sugars before and especially after exercise because blood sugars can drop precipitously after a workout. Some people can modulate their blood sugars using exercise. If you go to the gym make sure you bring some food with you that can get your blood sugars up in a hurry if you go way too low (like fruit) and some good regular food just if they go to a low range that can still be handled by normal eating (like egg yolks or something).

Again, I caution you that your goal right now is to heal yourself up, not to become Arnold Shwartenface. If you can make it to the gym, work out and not pass out - you're doing great.  Everything in it's own time.

[blackrhino]

Ok jessica ,but will there be a point as to where i wont have to monitor low blood sugar at all? I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel,where my body is like every non-diabetic.

[blackrhino]

LOL!Thanks dor.

[blackrhino]

Thanks joe

[freezerburn]

You never stated if you are type I or II.  I presume type II.  Both proper diet and exercise can reverse type II, not to the point where you can go back to eating shit but to the point where you will be asymptomatic and not at risk from crazy blood glucose levels.

Type I, insulin dependent is a greater challenge.  Some bodybuilders of the past have been very successful as diabetics also because of the way insulin is quite anabolic (and anticatabolic).  One of my friends is insulin dependent and was a very successful downhill mountainbike racer and is known as the godfather of freeriding - Wade Simmons.  Google him and check how unlimited he is.....

[jessica]

hopefully there will be a point where you are less sensitive and can eat and exercise without your blood sugar going on a roller coaster ride.  i think tho, at this point you would be aware of what healthful limits of exercise are and also what healthy meals and eating schedule is.  i dont think that you should compare you results or the end product to any body.  i think the more we try to emulate other peoples lifestyles the more we become disconnected from our own and that is where not paying attention to our own needs and limits come in and where we  often fall into patterns of disease.  theres not quick solution or short cut or even difinitive goal, its all progress

[blackrhino]

Im type II brother burn!  I like that screen name! lol Ok thanks for the info and ill check your friend out,definetly will be an inspiration for me.Can i call you brother Burn?

[blackrhino]

Thanks jess,I know i can be critical,when it comes to weightloss and this diabetes.Ive been a diabetic for 17 years and im hyped that i found some solid solutions to my sickness.But im slowing it down!Heal first,then very thing else.

[freezerburn]

Im type II brother burn!  I like that screen name! lol Ok thanks for the info and ill check your friend out,definetly will be an inspiration for me.Can i call you brother Burn?

I like it

There is much info about improving insulin sensitivity.  Take a look into leptin as well.  That you are on this forum makes me think you will find your way with much success.  This is my favorite lurk zone.

[blackrhino]

I totally agree with you brother Burn!Ive search a lifetime for answers to questions that didnt have a big price tag behind it!!Its an honor to be amoungst a tribe of great people,learning from each other!