Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes: How to Exercise Without Scary Lows or Frustrating Highs

by Ginger Vieira, Sheri Colberg (Foreword)

A regular ol' workout with type 1 diabetes is often very complicated! Frustrating highs and unexpected lows can drive some people with T1D to give up altogether. This book is all about helping you enjoy exercising again! It is possible, but there are a handful of things you need to know about insulin, timing, and how different types of exercise impact the body. As an avid exerciser and former competitive athlete, Ginger Vieira breaks down the need-to-know science of exercising with T1D so you can get moving without scary lows or frustrating highs.

REVIEWS of "EXERCISE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES"
"Finally, something for people living with diabetes who face the challenges of meshing exercise and sports with glucose management. Ginger's writing is easy to understand, relatable, and SENSIBLE. A must-have for all T1D athletes and athlete wannabes!" - Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES, Founder of Integrated Diabetes Services and author of "Think Like a Pancreas"

"I’ve been an endocrinologist for over 40 years and I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes for over 50 years. Ginger takes this very complex topic and breaks it down into a clear, easy-to-ready guidebook, offering tips and advice on important things to consider before, during, and after various types of workouts." - Steven Edelman, MD, Founder of TCOYD.org

“Complex concepts can be challenging to apply to one's own life, especially when it comes to managing glucose levels around exercise. Through Ginger's well-crafted examples and insightful tips, she simplifies concepts and provides clear guidance on what steps to take. Her book empowers readers to approach exercise with confidence and safety, making them more courageous in their journey towards better health!” - Federico Fontana, CEO & Founder of Enhance-D, former coach of Team Novo Nordisk with pro-cyclists

“I was struggling with my blood sugar during Orange Theory workouts since it is a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. I asked the coaches for advice on fueling and they all told me to eat carbohydrates before the workout which is annoying and frustrating. Instead, I bought this book. It taught me how to exercise without eating more carbs. I’m having a much easier time staying in range! Now I feel less alone.” - Michelle, living with T1D

“This book is a life-changing resource on exercise with type 1 diabetes. Honestly, it completely revolutionized my exercise routine in the most dynamic way. I will always be grateful for Ginger's unwavering guidance regarding type 1 diabetes!” - @Diabettie, living with T1D

"Really enjoyed reading this! It's packed full of insights and helpful tips to navigate exercise with T1D, while at the same time shedding light on the realities of the REAL struggles that come along with it." - Alanna Chambers, RD, CDCES

"Of course, I finished this in one sitting. Ginger makes an often confusing and difficult topic SO easy to read, understand, and actually digest with actionable advice. If you live with T1D and want to improve the how/when/why of exercise, this book is for you!" - Christine Fallabel, living with T1D"This is the first time that exercise with T1D has been explained to me in a way I can put into practice. Written in a very simple way, it explains complex science you can incorporate into your diabetes management. I wish I could've read this book many years ago!" - Mariana Gomez, living with T1D

"I've had T1D for 46 years and always struggled to exercise successfully. It has been my goal to figure this out and my doctor hasn't been very helpful.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2023

About the author

Ginger Vieira has lived with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease since 1999. She is a certified cognitive coach, personal trainer, Ashtanga yoga instructor, and set 15 records in drug-free powerlifting during 2009 and 2010. Today, Ginger works with people of all ages across the globe as a Wellness & Diabetes Coach in her own business, Living in Progress. Also the author of Your Diabetes Science Experiment, Ginger has a B.S. in Professional Writing from Champlain College, and writes regularly for the greater diabetes community providing motivation, support, and occasionally, a good laugh about a very serious disease.

Reviews

[Katie Iuliucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always been an athlete, but just got diagnosed with T1D. This has given me the confidence and hope to step back into the lifestyle I had and loved before the new diagnosis. It’s given me a lot of knowledge and fueled me to have more confident attitudes about T1D in general (for example I feel more confident leading endocrinologist appointments, advocating for myself at my gym, and really just owning this new part of who I am). I recommend this book to everyone- either to teach you how to live with your disease OR just to gain some perspective on what a person with diabetes has to think through on the daily.

[Manuel Hernández · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book you can (and should) read in one sitting. There’s so much distilled wisdom in it, but not wisdom that makes you feel like a fool for not thinking about it before: the kind type of wisdom, the type of wisdom that comes from trying, failing, getting up, and trying once more.

Ginger brings us in this book yet another guide from her experience as a coach and a person who has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1999. This time, she shares how we people whose pancreas don’t work as they should can still exercise, keeping exert lows and highs at bay.

Her inclusive style doesn’t assume all readers are on insulin pumps; instead, she is mindful of MDI users an even those (of us) who use inhalable insulin.

[Gabriella Turntine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more of a scientific “this is the science behind exercising with T1D and tips for how to manage”. While there was definitely some of that in here, such as when going over aerobic vs anaerobic exercise, there was not as much as I was hoping.

What I DIDN’T WANT was tips on how to lose weight. While most people use exercise to lose weight, that was not was I was looking for, and from the title and reviews on Amazon it seemed like this was the perfect book. One thing I was particularly upset about was the way the author spoke about over correcting lows with calories instead of carbs.

Overall, I think this book has some nice tricks for those who are completely new to T1D or exercising with T1D, but as a person who wanted to understand more about what was happening inside my body during exercise, this book did not accomplish that.