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So the big day is fast approaching on November 14th when it is the World Diabetes Day.  I recently found out on twitter that Manny at TuDiabetes is planning a special event at 2:00 PM EST on November 14th where those with diabetes:

1. Test their blood sugar
2. Do some type of exercise or activity for 14 minutes
3. Test their blood sugar again
4. post your results on twitter/TuDiabetes using the #bigblue hashtag

I think any type of activity to promote testing your blood sugar and advocating diabetes is a good thing.  We need to get the message out that this disease needs a cure and fast.  Promoting diabetes awareness and good diabetes control is also very important to those of us with diabetes.  Exercise and regular blood sugar testing are definitely the backbone to excellent diabetes control. 

So far so good, right?

Here is where my concern comes into play.  What you may not know is that exercise can sometimes cause a short-term spike in blood sugar before it drops.  I’ve seen it a few times in the past.  My concern is that folks that are motivated to make a change and see their blood sugar actually go up when they do this exercise will be discouraged.  Don’t get me wrong, I think exercise is the second most important part of diabetes management with insulin being the first.  When I am exercising and eating right, I have many fewer high test results.  I hope this works.  I hope that I’m wrong.  I just want people to be aware that it may take a little more than 14 minutes to bring down your blood sugar.  I don’t have scientific data to back up my statements above, just some experience in the real world.