WALX Expert Webinar: Diabetes, Exercise and the Power of Walking
This article draws on insights shared by Neil Gibson, Senior Physical Activity Advisor at Diabetes UK, during a special WALX® Expert Webinar hosted by Gill Stewart.
In the session, Neil discusses the role of physical activity in preventing and managing Type 2 Diabetes, explains how different types of exercise affect blood glucose levels, and shares practical advice for safely incorporating more movement into everyday life.
The webinar is ideal for people living with diabetes, healthcare professionals, community health providers, and anyone interested in understanding how walking and regular physical activity can support long-term health.
🎥 Watch the full webinar here: YouTube Link
Please remember that the information provided in this webinar is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your GP, diabetes specialist, or healthcare professional.
Living with Type 2 Diabetes can often feel like a constant balancing act.
Blood sugar levels, medications, weight management, energy levels, cardiovascular health and daily lifestyle choices all play a role. Yet one of the most effective tools available is often overlooked — regular physical activity.
The challenge is that many people aren’t sure where to begin.
High-impact exercise can feel intimidating. Gym environments aren’t for everyone. Joint pain, lack of confidence, excess weight or other health conditions can make getting active seem difficult.
In this webinar, Gill explores how walking — particularly Total Body Walking™ using WALX® poles — can provide a practical, accessible and sustainable way to increase physical activity and improve overall health.
By engaging both the upper and lower body, Total Body Walking™ transforms a simple walk into a full-body activity that can help improve fitness, support weight management and encourage long-term adherence to exercise.
In this session you’ll discover:
✅ Why physical activity is so important for people living with Type 2 Diabetes
✅ How regular walking can help improve insulin sensitivity
✅ The relationship between exercise, weight management and blood glucose control
✅ Why consistency matters more than intensity
✅ How structured walking programmes improve confidence and motivation
✅ Practical ways to build more movement into everyday life
When most people think about managing Type 2 Diabetes, they think about medication, blood sugar testing, and dietary changes.
What often gets overlooked is one of the most powerful tools available: regular physical activity.
According to Diabetes UK, physical activity can play a vital role in helping people manage blood glucose levels, improve cardiovascular health, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
The good news is that you don’t need to become a runner or spend hours in the gym to experience these benefits. Something as simple as walking can make a significant difference.
Why Exercise Matters for Diabetes
When we move, our muscles use glucose as fuel.
This helps reduce the amount of glucose circulating in the bloodstream and improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin. In simple terms, physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively.
Neil Gibson, Senior Physical Activity Advisor at Diabetes UK, explains that regular movement is one of the most effective ways to help regulate blood glucose levels while also supporting overall health and wellbeing.
Research has shown that regular physical activity can:
- Improve blood glucose control
- Increase insulin sensitivity
- Support healthy weight management
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve cholesterol levels
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Improve energy levels and mood
- Support long-term independence and mobility
Why Walking Is Often the Ideal Starting Point
For many people living with Type 2 Diabetes, walking is one of the safest and most accessible forms of exercise.
It requires no special facilities, can be done almost anywhere, and can easily be adapted to suit different fitness levels.
Unlike high-impact activities, walking places relatively low stress on the joints while still providing meaningful health benefits.
Regular walking can help:
- Lower blood glucose levels
- Increase daily calorie expenditure
- Improve circulation
- Support weight management
- Reduce sedentary behaviour
- Improve confidence in physical activity
Perhaps most importantly, walking is sustainable. People are far more likely to continue an activity they enjoy and can fit into everyday life.
Does All Exercise Affect Blood Sugar in the Same Way?
One of the key messages from Diabetes UK’s Neil Gibson is that different forms of exercise can affect blood glucose levels differently.
Lower-intensity aerobic activities such as walking often cause blood glucose levels to gradually fall as the muscles use glucose for energy.
However, higher-intensity or anaerobic activities, such as sprinting, heavy resistance training, or very intense exercise, can sometimes cause a temporary rise in blood glucose due to the body’s stress response.
This doesn’t mean one type of exercise is better than another. It simply highlights the importance of understanding how your own body responds.
Everyone Responds Differently
One of the challenges of diabetes management is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Factors such as medication, fitness level, meal timing, hydration, sleep, stress, and exercise intensity can all influence blood glucose responses.
That’s why many diabetes specialists recommend monitoring blood glucose levels before and after exercise, particularly when trying a new activity.
Keeping a simple activity diary can help identify patterns and improve confidence over time.
Staying Safe While Exercising
If you have diabetes and are considering increasing your activity levels, it’s important to seek advice from your GP, diabetes nurse, or healthcare professional.
Neil Gibson also highlights several practical safety considerations:
- Carry hypo treatments if you are at risk of hypoglycaemia
- Stay well hydrated
- Wear comfortable, supportive footwear
- Check your feet regularly for any signs of rubbing or damage
- Increase activity gradually
- Monitor how your body responds
For most people, starting slowly and building consistency is more important than exercising intensely.
Small Changes Can Have a Big Impact
One of the most encouraging messages from Diabetes UK is that physical activity doesn’t have to come from structured exercise sessions alone.
Reducing sedentary time can be just as important.
Simple changes might include:
- Taking a short walk after meals
- Using the stairs instead of the lift
- Walking to local shops
- Standing up regularly throughout the day
- Scheduling daily walking time into your routine
These small habits accumulate over time and can contribute significantly to better diabetes management.
Walking Towards Better Health
Type 2 Diabetes can feel overwhelming at times, but movement remains one of the most effective self-management tools available.
Walking is simple, accessible, affordable, and supported by a growing body of research.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for many years, building regular walking into your routine could be one of the most important steps you take towards improving your health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
