Since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1999, I've learned that physical activity is crucial for managing blood sugar levels. It also helps me sleep well and keep my stress levels under control. However, I don't like going to the gym. Here are five ways to exercise without paying for an expensive gym membership. My job requires me to spend a lot of time in front of the computer. I've heard that 'sitting is the new smoking,' so I've adopted a new way to ensure I move during the workday. I use a method known as the Pomodoro Technique: I set a timer for 25 minutes, silence my phone, and focus entirely on one task. When the timer goes off, I take a 5-minute break. This usually involves going downstairs and waiting for the kettle to boil for another cup of tea. While waiting, I briskly walk around the kitchen or stretch my hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves. If you spend much of your day working on the computer, take breaks every half hour or so and move your body. You can do some yoga poses or run up and down the stairs. You might think you don't have time to exercise for 30 minutes every day, as most doctors recommend. After all, you have a long commute, a demanding job, and many family commitments. You don't have a half-hour of free time in your schedule anywhere. But did you know that three 10-minute exercise sessions have as many health benefits as one 30-minute session? How hard would it be to take a brisk 10-minute walk after each meal? And if you do it with a family member or coworker, you'll also be interacting socially. Gardening requires a lot of physical activity, whether digging, weeding, turning compost, lifting large bags of mulch, or pushing a lawnmower. Being outdoors in the sunlight also gives you vitamin D, which is important for bone and teeth health. Take the extra step of growing your own vegetables and herbs in your garden: it's fun, rewarding, and very beneficial for your diet. Consider trying raised beds to start if you're a beginner. About a year ago, I discovered online exercise videos. I started with low-impact aerobics and then moved on to more strenuous cardio routines and resistance training. After a while, I even bought some dumbbells and got my husband involved. My 6-year-old niece also started exercising with us. Now, every time she comes over, she says, 'Can we do some exercises?' We're not only working out but also encouraging our niece to stay physically active. If walking around your neighborhood bores you, find a local park. Many have hiking trails where you can get some exercise while exploring the woods and observing wildlife. In my area of Richmond, Virginia, we can even look for brightly painted rocks. There's a movement here called RVA Rocks, where small rocks are decorated and hidden in places where people walk (especially in parks). Whoever finds a rock posts a photo on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #RVArocks and then re-hides the rock. You can follow the feeds to see who has found your rocks. Hiking becomes an even greater adventure! (My niece loves this too. We've even painted and hidden some rocks ourselves.) Staying active to help manage diabetes doesn't have to be a chore. Use your imagination and find fun ways to keep moving. No need to go to the gym. Shelby Kinnaird publishes diabetes-friendly recipes and tips for people who want to eat healthily on Diabetic Foodie, a website often labeled as the 'best diabetes blog.' Her motto is 'a diabetes diagnosis is not a death sentence for food.' Shelby is a passionate diabetes advocate who likes to make her voice heard in Washington, D.C., and leads two DiabetesSisters support groups in Richmond, Virginia. She has successfully managed her diabetes for over 18 years. Read the article in English. Spanish translation by HolaDoctor. Spanish edition on May 25, 2022. Original version updated on August 25, 2020. Last medical review on February 16, 2018.