Type 2 Diabetes Exercise Physiology
What do I actually ask my GP if I want to try Exercise Physiology?
A lot of people are told that exercise is important when they are living with Type 2 Diabetes, but that advice can feel very broad when you are not sure what kind of exercise is appropriate, where to start or whether you would feel comfortable walking into a gym.
If you are interested in Exercise Physiology, you do not need to arrive at your GP appointment already knowing every Medicare rule or referral detail. You can simply explain that you would like professional support with exercise and ask whether Exercise Physiology could be suitable for you.
Why Exercise Physiology?
Knowing you should exercise and feeling confident enough to do it are not the same thing.
For some people, the biggest barrier is not motivation at all. It is uncertainty. You may not know how hard you should work, which exercises make sense for you, how to manage aches and stiffness, or whether you are doing enough to make a difference.
You may also have other things going on alongside Type 2 Diabetes, such as reduced fitness, joint pain, balance concerns, fatigue or simply a long period of being less active than you would like.
That is where Exercise Physiology can be useful, because the goal is not to hand you a generic workout and expect you to keep up. The movement can be adjusted to your starting point and progressed over time.
What to say at your GP appointment
You can keep the conversation very simple.
You might say something like, "I'm interested in seeing an Exercise Physiologist to help me exercise more safely and consistently with my Type 2 Diabetes. Would that be appropriate for me, and is there a Medicare pathway that could apply?"
You do not need to use exactly those words, and you do not need to know what paperwork is required before you ask. Your GP can look at your individual circumstances and discuss whether Exercise Physiology is appropriate as part of your care.
Take the brochure with you if that makes the conversation easier.
I have created a simple brochure with the Chirnside Park Type 2 Diabetes group details, my Medicare provider number and contact information so you can print it, download it or email it to your GP clinic before your appointment.
Download brochure for my GPLocal Type 2 Diabetes group
What does the Chirnside Park class look like?
The Type 2 Diabetes Exercise Physiology group runs on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:30am to 11:30am at Never Too Old to Play in Chirnside Park.
It is a small circuit-style class with a maximum of 12 people, which means you can work through activities at your own pace rather than everybody being expected to complete exactly the same thing at exactly the same speed.
Exercises can be adjusted with seated, supported or lighter alternatives where needed, and the aim is to make the hour useful without making the environment intimidating.
If you are attending privately, the class is $10 per session. If you are using a Medicare-supported pathway, your GP can discuss what is appropriate for you.
What if you have not exercised for years?
You do not need to get fit before you come.
This is one of the things I most want people to understand. Exercise Physiology is not something you need to prepare for by becoming fitter first.
If you have not exercised for a long time, that simply tells me where we are starting. We can choose movements that are realistic for you now and build from there.
I would rather you start with something manageable and come back again than push too hard in the first week and decide exercise is not for you.
I want the hour to feel human.
You can have a conversation while you move, smile, laugh, ask questions and take a break when you need one. We are still working towards meaningful physical benefits, but there is no reason the experience itself needs to feel miserable.
What might we work on?
The exercises are there to support your everyday life, not just fill an hour.
Strength
Building strength through the legs and upper body can make everyday movement feel more manageable.
Cardiovascular fitness
Supported walking, treadmill, cycling or other activities can help you gradually tolerate more movement.
Balance and confidence
Feeling steadier can make it easier to stay active rather than gradually avoiding movement because you are worried about falling.
Mobility
We can work on movements that help everyday tasks feel less stiff or awkward.
Consistency
For many people, the most important thing is finding a form of movement they are actually willing to return to regularly.
Confidence
Sometimes the first goal is simply becoming less nervous about exercise and trusting your body a little more.
What should your GP know?
You can give them my details directly.
Exercise Physiologist
Robyn Papworth
Accredited Exercise Physiologist
Medicare Provider Number:
400894BY
Location
Never Too Old to Play
7 Meadowgate Drive
Chirnside Park VIC 3116
Phone: 0404 058 718
Email: robyn@nevertoooldtoplay.com
Not ready to book yet?
Start by having the conversation with your GP.
You do not have to decide everything in one step. You can download the brochure, take it to your GP, ask whether Exercise Physiology is appropriate for you and then contact me when you are ready.
Type 2 Diabetes Exercise Physiology in the Yarra Ranges
A local option in Chirnside Park.
The group is based in Chirnside Park and may suit people from Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Croydon, Kilsyth, Mount Evelyn, Montrose and surrounding Yarra Ranges and Maroondah suburbs.
If you are unsure whether you should book privately, speak with your GP first or send me a general question. You do not need to understand the entire Exercise Physiology system before reaching out.