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Physical activity is one of the best methods of improving blood glucose, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol. The February issue of Diabetes Forecast, the consumer magazine of the American Diabetes Association, offers powerful inspiration to exercise from professional athletes and everyday people alike. Whether it’s snowboarding or playing a game on Nintendo Wii, this issue demonstrates that there are countless ways to get moving, even during winter.

Indomitable Snowman: Extreme snowboarder Sean Busby first built his career on tearing up the slopes. Now he has a new calling as the head of Riding on Insulin, a nonprofit that runs snowboarding clinics for children with diabetes. "[Diabetes] has given me a direction in my life," says Busby, who has type 1. "I believe I was given this disease for a reason, and that’s to show others anything’s possible."

At the Summit: Simon Bennett has been an elite swimmer, record-breaking cyclist and professional fitness coach for years. But nothing prepared him for the challenge of climbing Africa’s highest mountain—while managing his blood glucose levels. This Australian’s story lifts expectations for an active life with diabetes.

Build Your Best Body: Insulin sensitivity and calorie burning increase with muscle mass. Personal trainer and power lifter Ginger Vieira offers strength-training tips with unique considerations for people with diabetes. The article also includes five exercises that can be completed at home without any special equipment.

Stopping Diabetes Before It Starts: Prediabetes is a big problem in need of a big solution, and the YMCA is leading the charge with its affordable, accessible program that teaches people how to eat healthfully and find time to exercise. Part of a grander initiative called the National Diabetes Prevention Program, the YMCA’s course is offered in nearly 50 locations and can easily be expanded to new ones.

Playing the Virtual Field: In the battle for health, video games have often been cast on the side of the enemy. But a subset of these electronic diversions, dubbed 'exergames,' may indeed be just what the doctor ordered.

Additional exciting features and columns in the February 2012 issue include:

• Delicious ways to incorporate tropical fruits, such as pineapple, kiwi and mango, into your meals.
• A portrait of a young athlete who has completed the Association’s 27-mile Portland, Ore., Tour de Cure® course by unicycle—and has his sights set on even longer one-wheeled rides.
• The ins and outs of dietary supplements and vitamins for people with diabetes.
• What one can expect from a heart-healthy diet, which may help prevent diabetic complications. This feature comes with three corresponding recipes.