The American Diabetes Association (ADA), the U.S.’s leading voluntary health organization dedicated to advance research, prevention, care, and treatment of diabetes, announced the second annual “Get Fit Don’t Sit Day”, on May 4, 2016.
ADA has planned daylong activities for the day, including a live CEO Fitness Challenge and social media campaigns focused on workplace wellness. ADA has also made a free e-toolkit available for download to enable any company, organization, or group to incorporate the principles and activities promoted into the workday on May 4 and hopefully beyond.
According to ADA’s press release, the e-toolkit includes:
- A summary called “10 Steps for Success”;
- A set of activation ideas for any group, workplace, or organization;
- Talking points for your Executive Champion;
- A set of email templates to spread the word;
- Examples of social media messages and dedicated images;
- Several stickers and posters for your free use;
- A press release template for any organization or agency;
- A set of tip sheets;
- A set of animated GIFs of workplace exercises;
- Handouts with examples of desk workouts;
- An infographic about the dangers of sitting for too long.
On Get Fit Don’t Sit Day, ADA is encouraging everyone to get up and get moving at least once every 90 minutes throughout the work day, to limit the amount of time people spend sitting down and to lower everyone’s risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as other obesity-related diseases – practices that should be kept forever, or anytime possible.
Those who have type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin at all. With type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly due to the development of insulin resistance. Your pancreas will begin by making extra insulin to compensate for higher blood glucose (sugar) levels but over time, it isn’t able to keep up with this constant variation.
According to ADA, exercising keeps your blood glucose levels stable and under control, thereby helping your body better manage medications needed. Controlling blood glucose level is essential to avoid long-term complications, such as kidney disease.
