Health wins come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s important to recognize every step forward you’ve taken this week, no matter how small. Wins might include: - Nailing your nutrition: Did you try a new healthy recipe or hit your meal plan goals? - Consistency with movement: Maybe you crushed your workouts or even got in an extra walk or stretching session. - Mindset breakthroughs: Have you worked on a positive habit, stayed consistent with a meditation practice, or handled stress better? - Better sleep: Did you improve your sleep routine or wake up feeling more rested? - Balancing blood sugar: Did you notice stable energy levels or see improvements on your glucose monitor? Celebrate it all! Share what went well for you this week, inspire others, and let’s finish strong! 💪

Hey Everyone, I want to share something that’s happening to me right now that serves as a powerful reminder: When we’re sick, our bodies don’t behave the way we’d like. 😷 Last night, I was feeling pretty off—lots of coughing and just not myself (that post Thanksgiving cold that’s going around!). Sure enough, I checked my blood sugar, and there it was...spiked! Illness can throw our blood sugar completely out of whack, even if we’re doing everything “right.” This isn’t just about food; it’s about how our body reacts to stress, inflammation, and fighting off whatever’s making us sick. So, while we’re here experimenting and learning about how our bodies respond to different foods and activities, remember this: getting sick is an experiment I don’t want you to do! 😉 But if it happens, and it will sometimes, here’s how you can manage: What To Do When You’re Sick: 1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! 💧 Water is your best friend when you're sick. It helps with glucose balance and prevents dehydration. 2. Check your levels a little more. 📊 Your blood sugar might be higher than usual—don’t worry, just stay on top of it! 3. Stick to your meds and balanced meals. 🍽️ Even if you’re not feeling hungry, try small, balanced meals to keep your energy steady. 4. Rest up. 😴 Your body is working hard to heal, so give it the downtime it needs. The journey to better health is never a straight line, and sometimes we hit bumps like this. But remember, those bumps are just part of the path. I might not be feeling 100%, but I’m still here, learning from every moment. You’ve got this! Let’s keep supporting each other—health isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. Dr. Tara

Who loves pumpkin pie as much as I do? HANDS UP! Enter - The CGM Pumpkin Pie Challenge! Let's see how this works! 🍰 Step 1: Pre-Challenge Prep - Set Your Baseline: Before diving into the pumpkin pie, track your baseline glucose levels ensuring you haven't eaten anything for 30 minutes before eating the pie. This will give you a clear starting point to compare your post-pie glucose response. *I know we have said have your "sugars" closer to your meal. For this challenge, try your best not to eat anything 30 minutes before your pumpkin pie. In fact, see Step 6 and go for a 10-15 minute walk before eating your pie! 🍰 Step 2: Pairing Experiment - Directly before eating your pumpkin pie have something rich in protein, fiber, vinegar/acetic acid or healthy fats (e.g., a piece of turkey, 2 tbsp ground flax!, 1 tbsp vinegar or sauerkraut, scoop of Greek yogurt, kefir, almond butter, or nuts). - Take a picture of what you choose as well as a picture of your pie! 🍰 Step 3: Enjoy the Pie! (No brainer!) - Enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie. YUM YUM YUM! 🍰 Step 4: Track Your Post-Pie Glucose - After eating the pie, monitor your glucose for the next 2-3 hours. Note how quickly your glucose rises. What is the peak glucose level you reach? How long does it take to return to baseline (within 2-3 hours is optimal). 🍰 Step 5: Share Your Results! - Share a screen shot of your glucose reading along with what you paired with your pie and any observations about how you felt (e.g., energy, cravings, mood). 🍰 Step 6: Bonus Challenge – Exercise & Timing - Before Pie: Go for a short walk 15-30 minutes before eating the pie. - After Pie: Take a 10-15 minute post-meal walk to see how this affects your glucose response. 🍰 Step 7: Reflection - How did the pairing with protein/fiber/vinegar/fat/movement help keep your glucose levels more stable? What was the impact of pre/post-meal exercise? 🍰 Prizes & Fun! - Prizes for the most stable glucose curve, the best pairing idea, and learned insights shared!

Leading in to Thanksgiving weekend, it's the perfect time to celebrate and share our wins. Also, share any exciting Thanksgiving plans or traditional family favourite food items. I'll share, you share? Post in comments below.

In yesterday’s weekly Zoom call, we touched on this 7 minute workout to add to your movement goals ➡️ The Scientific 7 Minute Workout! Give it a try this week! Read more here and then click the YouTube link below. https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/the-scientific-7-minute-workout/ YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Jru5B044HOs?si=8UcpT2NrHs4TxpDQ