A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes could change your life. We're talking pills or needle pokes, constant diet concerns, and higher-than-average health risks.

But you may be able to muscle a future like that aside. Just 12 weeks of regular resistance training can help improve the body's ability to manage blood sugar. There's a catch, though.

Build Your Body
High blood sugar isn't good -- it could quickly put you on the path to type 2 diabetes. But keeping blood glucose from getting too high is harder when you get older, even if you're healthy. Luckily, exercise is an excellent antidote. Both resistance training and cardio exercise can help. For weight training to benefit your blood sugar, though, you need to get an adequate amount of protein in your diet. How much do you need? Get a personalized breakdown with this online calorie-count tool.

Already have diabetes? Weight training may benefit you, too. But check with your doctor before you pump iron. Here's how it may help.

Resistance training and dietary protein: effects on glucose tolerance and contents of skeletal muscle insulin signaling proteins in older persons. Iglay, H. B., Thyfault, J. P., Apolzan, J. W., Campbell, W. W., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2007 Apr;85(4):1005-1013.