Catherine Cochran isn’t allowing diabetes to prevent her from CrossFitting. With very careful management of blood glucose levels, she’s hitting WODs and getting fitter.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it’s being told that I shouldn’t or can’t do something because I have diabetes. That said, controlling diabetes is extremely important, no matter what activities I choose to do. I knew I had a greater challenge in front of me than I had originally anticipated, but CrossFit had already given me more will than I ever had before. I was committed to striving for elite fitness, which for me includes maintaining tight control over diabetes.
For all Type 1 diabetics, many medical doctors will tell you not to do CrossFit. Most of you are probably just as stubborn as I am when it comes to anyone telling you to limit your activities due to diabetes. It is, without a doubt, more difficult to control your blood sugar with the intense WODs that you will encounter, but it is certainly not impossible. And if you are coaching Type 1 diabetics, make sure they learn how to take care of themselves. CrossFit is safe for everyone, but just like a CrossFitter with a chronic injury, diabetics have to know how to be safe.