Did you happen to read in my previous blog about my curiosity around what my blood sugar levels were doing and how my lifestyle choices were affecting it? It’s called My Metabolic Health Journey if you want to go read it (the link is at the bottom of the page).
A consistent glucose monitor or CGM is a great way to watch in real time how your food and activities affect your overall glucose levels and fuel source.
Have you ever wondered why you get tired after a meal, or mid day, or find yourself starving? Have you ever wondered why you don't have the energy to workout?
Our blood sugar is directly linked to our metabolic health or flexibility. This means our body can use the fuel we eat effectively. When this happens our energy level and focus and concentration are great. When our body has metabolic inflexibility, well it’s not.
I like this analogy of a Prius car. When it needs energy to go it can shift from electricity to gas, quickly and efficiently. This is how our body is suppose to work.
Here is what I learned from 1 month of using a consistent glucose monitor (CGM)
The food we eat is the primary factor in managing our glucose levels
Foods that affect blood sugar the most for me….bread of any kind, treats of any kind, and pasta. A tuna fish sandwich spiked my glucose levels more than a dessert with dinner
When I was stressed it affected my body’s inability to stay in an optimal range
When my sleep wasn’t great, my blood sugar crashed during the night. This can be caused from poor breathing or waking many times during the night
Walking after a meal really did bring my numbers back down. One day it spike from a breakfast I had, so I went for a 20 minute walk, and it was back in the normal range
Fasting kept my blood glucose in the normal range, no matter how long it was
So, I felt my month long journey on the CGM was highly beneficial. And what I learned now, I will apply to my daily food and lifestyle choices.
If I want to have a sweet or a treat, then I need to eat it with a protein and fat heavy meal and make time for a walk.
I don’t necessarily have to live without my favorite things, I just needed to rearrange how I have them to best work for me.
A little bit of movement goes a long way. Walking, biking, and dancing is a wonderful way to stay active and manage your glucose levels.
Building muscle or keeping the muscle you have is another great way to keep a healthy metabolic level. If you’re interested in this topic, I will be offering my Power of Muscle course again in early 2023. This program will be a bit different than the first one, offering various ways to build muscle as we age, and educating women on what our muscle actually does for us (and it’s more than just moving us around ladies).
We polled the women in our FB group, Empowered Living for Women, and the number one issue they were interested in was exercising and yoga for aging women.
Another option I have to offer is our new 20 minute practices. These short practices are great if you don’t have a lot of time but want to workout and move your body.
There are 2 active practices, done in my Shakti Flow style. One for upper body and core, the other one for lower body and core.
The other 2 practices are more calming and wonderful for the nervous system and immune health. We need the calming practices too, for building resilience and being in a healing state.
It’s a great package, and a great gift for you and for a loved one. If you’re interested, click the link below to get more information and to purchase yours. The 4 sessions will come to you via email to use anytime you feel inspired.