Goal: To enhance/improve your diabetic health with the benefits of swimming.

May is actually National Water Safety Month. And that’s an important consideration, especially if you are not an expert swimmer (or a swimmer at all!). However, swimming is a good exercise option for people with diabetes, and July is a good month for swimming (in the Northern Hemisphere). Recommendations are:

For maximum benefit from swimming, you should swim at least three times a week for at least 10 minutes each time. If you have peripheral foot neuropathy or any other foot issues, you should not keep your feet immersed in water more than 10 minutes at a time. If you have ulcers or open sores on your feet, do not swim or soak at all unless ordered by your podiatrist.

Your goals may involve reducing the time it takes to swim a certain number of laps, being able to swim for a certain time or distance at one time, swimming a certain distance over a period of time like a month, learning a new stroke, joining a group of swimmers with similar interests, etc.

  • Gym, community pool, YMCA/YWCA
  • Lake, bay, or ocean beach