There is absolutely no doubt about the value of exercise in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Exercise is an important part of getting control of Diabetes-the goal of everyone with the disease. It is one third of the triad of getting control along with diet and weight loss

Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels. When a cell doesn't respond to insulin it is insulin resistance. When a patient is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes exercise, weight loss and diet are the usual ways to gain control of the problem. If that fails, medication is usually prescribed.

I am not exactly an atypical American who has diabetes. I may know a little more about diabetes than others but I am human and don't always practice what I preach. I am a chocoholic (from birth I think) and love popcorn with lots of butter and pasta too-all things that are not good for me. I am overweight and struggle with weight every day.

I also struggle with doing my exercises every day. I have my good days and my bad. Usually I just don't feel like doing them. I don't have the energy-being overweight pushes you in this direction. My point is I am not unlike millions of my fellow diabetics.

When I think of exercise I think of sweaty folks at the gym. Most diabetics my age will not go to the gym and thus use that as an excuse not to exercise. WRONG!! Try the mall crawl.

Go to the local mall no matter how big. Park at one end and walk from one end to the other. If there's more than one level do them all. Back and forth-keep a steady pace. Window shop from a distance-it's cheap that way. Chug along for 30 minutes. Before you know it you are done.

Do that every day five days week and before you can get your credit card out you'll start losing some weight. Then just watch what you eat and you are there-the triad of diabetes control.

I throw in a little weight work-man it just makes you feel good. Now if I can just remember how I felt when I finished exercising tomorrow when I need to do it again.

REMEMBER to check with your doc before you start an exercise program. Stretch before you exercise. And check your sugars to see how your body reacts to it.