What type of exercise is best for you?

We all know that we should be exercising on a regular basis but often fall short. One way to increase success is to target your exercise program to activities that you naturally enjoy. Exercise and physical activity fall into four basic categories—endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. An added bonus is that they all have crossover benefits.

Endurance

Endurance, or aerobic, activities increase your breathing and heart rate. Building your endurance increases your energy throughout the day.

Brisk walking or jogging

Biking

Dancing

Strength

Strength exercises or resistance training make your muscles stronger. Even small increases in strength can make a big difference.

Weight Lifting

Resistance Band Training

Using your own body weight

Balance

Balance exercises benefit your neuromuscular coordination. They help improve the communication between your brain and muscles leading to better coordination, athletic skill and posture.

Standing on one foot

Balance Ball workout

Tai Chi

Flexibility

Flexibility exercises stretch your muscles and can help your body stay limber. Being flexible gives you more freedom of movement in your everyday activities.

Shoulder and upper arm stretch

Calf stretch

Yoga

Diabetes and Sleep

Are you having trouble getting your Z’s?. Sleep can affect your blood sugar levels and your blood glucose control can also affect your sleep, which results in trouble sleeping.

Here are some things you can do to doze off peacefully:

• Ensure that your bed is large and comfortable

• Your bedroom should be cool – each of us has a slightly different optimal temperature for sleep, so experiment with your thermostat to  find what makes you most comfortable.
• Your bedroom should be free from any light. Ensure your room is dark, if this is not possible, you may benefit from blackout curtains and a sleeping blindfold.
• Check your room for noises or other distractions. This includes a bed partner’s sleep disruptions such as snoring. Consider using , ear plugs, “white noise” machines, humidifiers, fans and other devices.
• Stick to a regular bed time

Save the Date! General Eye Disease and Preventative Health Talk

The Retina Institute, LA Primary Care and the American Diabetes Association have partnered for awareness of general eye disease and preventative health talk scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2015. The Meet & Greet will take place at 5pm with the presentation starting at 5:30pm. Door prizes include two $50 Target gift cards, coffee mugs, bags and more! Refreshments will be served. This is an open to the public event and free to attend. The Retina Institute – 2701 N. Causeway Blvd. Metairie, LA 70002.

GiveNOLA Day on May 5

GiveNOLA Day is the community’s one-day, online giving event to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations that make our region a stronger and more thriving community. Please consider donating any amount on the ADA’s personal GiveNOLA Day page which can be found here: https://givenola.org/#npo/american-diabetes-association. Giving is one day only and can only be made on this website. Take a look at the website and read more about GiveNOLA and how you can make a difference locally with the American Diabetes Association.