Yesterday I had a longer than usual afternoon at the gym by design, and that proved to be a bit challenging around blood glucose levels and insulin dosages (bolus, with an insulin pump).
From 5:30-6pm I had personal training. THe workout was hard and left me a hot and sweaty mess. Sign of a good session.
I planned earlier in the day to go to a 6:30 Zumba class, figuring the 30-minute break would be good.
The trouble with this plan is I wasn't sure how to set my exercise insulin basal rate for that length of time, with a rest in the middle. Typically I'd start it an hour before a work out of any type, and end it half an hour before the exercise class was due to end. But that didn't fit into the scheduled. So I decided not to set the exercise basal rate.
My blood sugar was 197 after training which was a bit high -- but I didn't want to do a correction bolus (dose) of insulin because that insulin would still be going through my system during Zumba. The problem with that is this insulin would cause my blood sugar to drop fast during the cardio work out since the cardio would cause my body utilize the insulin much more efficiently than if I weren't exercising.
Add to the equation that I also needed a small snack between the workouts for energy.
I decided to have a protein bar, for which I normally would have dosed insulin. I took an educated chance and didn't. 15 minutes into Zumba my CGM beeped high (still 197, but not going rising. At minute 40 I checked my CGM and it displayed 140 with a down arrow (dropping somewhat fast). I was determined not to let diabetes win. I slowed down my pace, I stopped arm movements which decreases intensity, and took smaller steps.
I finished the class with a sensor glucose reading of 110. I felt triumphant that I won! It's a somewhat small victory, but an important one for me.
Educational moment: For me, insulin and food near exercise can be 2 of my biggest challenges with diabetes management.
Usually, I set a temporary insulin rate on my pump to try and keep my blood sugar around 150, slightly higher level to help mitigate some of the obstacles I experienced last night, but for whatever reason, I didn't do that last night.
This is one of the many reasons I am hoping to raise $2500 for this year's Boston JDRF One Walk About 55 days to go to raise $1500! Donations of any amount - $1, $5, $10 are very greatly appreciated!
Link to fundraising page: http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/helpcurep
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