Get physical

No matter how you move your body—walking, biking, swimming, weight training, or a combination—just get to it. Any kind of physical activity manages type 2 diabetes just as well as drug therapy, insulin medications, or dietary changes, according to research performed in New Zealand (Diabetes Care, 2006, vol. 29, no. 11).

For optimal blood glucose management, blend regular exercise with dietary changes, supplements, and appropriate medications, if needed.

• Stick with your exercise program. You'll start noticing results in diabetes management after three months or so.
• Combine. Aerobic workouts plus resistance training offers better results than either one by itself.
• Have hope. Even if your diabetes is advanced, it's never too late. Exercise has a stronger effect on more severe cases.