Exercise and Blood Sugar Crashes
I'm not sure what's causing this, but for the past two weeks, I've had a blood sugar crash when I workout on Sunday afternoons...but strangely enough, not on any other day (regardless of the time of day). I didn't have my testing kit with me for either time (so I was unable to check my levels). I am not on insulin, but am on Glipizide and Metformin, and my blood sugar is okay most of the time...not sure what it is about Sunday afternoons.
The first time it happened (a week ago yesterday), I had gone to the gym to ride the bike for 30-40 minutes before going to yoga class. I didn't think to bring an energy/protein bar to eat before yoga, so shortly after yoga started, I had all the classic symptoms of low blood sugar (dizzy, weak, sweating). Luckily, my instructor had candy in her purse and she made me rest for a few minutes, and then I was ok.
Yesterday, despite eating a healthy breakfast and a healthy lunch (balancing proteins, veggies and carbs), the low blood sugar hit me WHILE riding the bike. I was only able to ride for about 20 minutes (and normally I ride for 30-40). I ate a protein bar that I brought with me, but it didn't seem to help much, so I stopped for a fresh fruit smoothie on the way to yoga. I was ok after that. But it was frustrating because during my short bike ride, I only burned around 50 calories, but between the protein bar and the smoothie, I consumed over 500 calories to boost my blood sugar.
I picked up some glucose tablets and will carry them in my purse AND my gym bag, as well as keep some at my desk at work, at home and in my car, so I'm prepared.
Does anyone have suggestions for good pre- and post-workout "snacks" to prevent blood sugar crashes?
Thanks so much!
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