Here are 12 steps to help you take an AllTrails Activity and add it to your Strava account. After all, we love the Strava Community for kudos.
AllTrails helps people across the globe soak in the outdoors. however, how do you add an All trails hike to your Strava App. The AllTrails app provides detailed, hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos crowdsourced from a community of over 20 million hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, and trail runners. With over 100 thousand trails, users can filter to find the route that’s right for them, and hit the trail with confidence. Anywhere in the World, you can find your next hiking adventure.
However, once your AllTrails hike is done, how can you upload your AllTrails Activities to Strava?
12 Steps on How to Upload your AllTrails Activity to Strava?
Choose the orange + “plus” icon from the right-hand side of the screen to upload an activity
Choose UPLOAD an Activity
Upload a Activity to Strava as a FILE
Select the GPX File we saved to your Computer from AllTrails
Change the Activity Type to Hike and Add a Title
Save and View your AllTrails Hike in Strava
Enjoy your Strava Kudos for your AllTrails Hike
I hope you found these steps helpful in helping you add an AllTrails hike to your Strava account. If you are looking for my recommended list of running and hiking equipment check out our Online Store.
If you have other hints and tips, please mention them in the comments below.
Note: Registered users on AllTrails.com can download files of their own activities and maps, from any trail page, and/or from other member’s activities or maps. However, this is only available on https://www.alltrails.com/ not in the apps.
Not receiving FreeStyle alarms after upgrading to iOS 15 or iOS 16 on your iPhone or iPad, check out these three tips from Abbott. The following important information released by Abbott applies to using your Freestyle Libre and iOS 15 or iOS 16 (iPhone) users only.
Android users can disregard these steps.
Apple released iOS 15, which introduced two major changes to Notifications on your iPhone called Focus. Focus allows your to adjust how your phone respond during certain times of the day such as during work, driving, or sleeping but limiting the number of notifications you receive on your phone. I use the feature daily while working to silence phone calls, unless they are from one my my “Favourites” and other apps.
This same features impacts your ability to receive time-sensitive notifications from the FreeStyle LibreLink, FreeStyle Libre 2, and LibreLinkUp apps, such as glucose alarms.
Abbott advises that if you are running iOS 15 or iOS 16 on your iPhone, it’s important to correctly configure your settings for Notifications and Focus so that you can receive time-sensitive notifications from your apps.
Note: Although these steps are a direct copy and paste from Abbott’s Email, as our glucose devices are considered medial devices, please make your own decision on the best settings for your Libre and Libre 2 app.
Follow the steps below to configure Apple iOS 15 or iOS 16 settings to work best with your Freestyle Libre 2. Abbott recommends the following settings in your iPhone to receive FreeStyle Libre alarms after upgrading to iOS 15. If you require additional support contact Abbott through the typical channels.
How to adjust iOS Focus Settings to Work with Freestyle Libre
1. Adjust your SCHEDULE SUMMARY in iOS 15 or iOS 16 to work with Freestyle Libre:
Tap Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary > Turn off apps in the “Apps Summary” list
2. Make Changes to IMMEDIATE DELIVERY in iOS 15 or iOS 16 to work with Freestyle Libre:
Tap Settings > Notifications > FreeStyle LibreLink / Libre 2 / LibreLinkUp > Notifications > Turn ON Immediate Delivery
3. Ensure you adjust FOCUS MODE in iOS 15 or iOS 16 to work with your Libre Notifications:
Tap Settings > Focus > (Select a mode) > Add apps to the list of “Allowed Apps” for each mode
4. Alternative Configuration in iOS 15 to work with your Freestyle Libre:
Alternatively, in the app, you can go to Alarms via the main menu and turn on “Override Do Not Disturb” to always receive glucose alarms from FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors. These notifications will always make a sound, even when your phone is in Do Not Disturb mode.
Tip: Freestyle Libre 2 for iOS – Override do not disturb settings in the app.
Where can I get more assistance adjusting Focus Settings to work with Freestyle Libre?
If you need further assistance configuring your iPhones Focus settings to work with Freestyle Libre, please contact Abbott Customer Support:
Canada:
Customer Service at 1-888-205-8296, Monday-Friday, 8 AM-9 PM; Saturday, 9 AM-5 PM; and Sunday, 9 AM-2 PM Eastern Standard Time.
All other areas:
Contact your normal Abbott technical support number located on the side of your Libre Box.
Be sure to check out the new The Diabetes App (TDA). Congratulations to the TDA team on a one-year anniversary and the release of their new desktop and update to their ios and Android application that connects the diabetes community from around the globe. The Diabetes App is a free social networking app dedicated to educating and empowering the diabetic community.
*this new version of the app has since been recalled, users are currently connecting with The Diabetes community on The Diabetes App*
The TDA Developers
The TDA launched just over a year ago in Toronto, Canada, in June 2020. In this time, the Diabetes App has gained over 10,000 users, forming a community of resilience, awareness, and empowerment for diabetics across the globe. When launched, The Diabetes App was created as a mobile application. It was a hybrid between a social media platform and a source for information and resources. This app and website designed for diabetics and their caregivers included:
Diabetic friendly meal plans and recipes
Live streams
Community groups for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics
Access to professionals
and more.
This week marks new advancements being made in the company, as The Diabetes App has officially launched its new application version as well as its desktop version.
This new desktop version brings new advancements. It has all the same features as the current mobile version, including resources such as recipes and articles, as well as an advanced news feed, messaging system, and profile pages, but this desktop version also allows for an increased user experience, as it provides the ease of accessing the application on the web. The bigger screen may be advantageous to users of all abilities, as mobile phones can be too small or difficult for some to use.
The sole intent of The Diabetes App has always been to provide the diabetes community with a place to connect and grow. With the introduction of this new desktop version, TDA firmly believes that this will enhance its goals and allow the community to foster more strength than ever before as users have more accessibility to their diabuddies and resources.
New updates include a head-to-toe application makeover and a sleek new look. The application is a proprietary app, meaning it has been made in-house by TDA’s very own team. With a team of fewer than 25 people, it motivates TDA to work as hard as possible. TDA wants users to know that everything they do, they do for them! TDA is always working for the betterment of the diabetes community and to raise awareness for those who have diabetes. That is why it has implemented dual live streams, which allows for multiple hosts at once, a new home-feed landing page that is algorithmic-based (allowing for personal alterations based on what they want to see, such as fitness, mental health, or diet based posts), and updated its messaging system so users can access their professionals with even more ease than before.
Despite all of these exciting changes, the mission of The Diabetes App stays the same: to serve the diabetes community. 2020 marked a year of growth, and TDA firmly believes that 2021 is going to mark a year of empowerment, and big changes for the community. TDA could not be more proud to share the updates to come with its users.
Join the community, keep the conversation going, and let’s stay connected because Together We’re Stronger! If users have any questions regarding the new application and the transition, we encourage them to check out our social media, @thediabetesapp, for more information, and feel free to shoot us a Direct Message, as the team is responding to any questions users have.
Through support, mutual understanding, and empathy, TDA’s motive has always been to believe that Together, We’re Stronger. This new launch and a new chapter for The Diabetes App encapsulates this.
Freestyle Libre 2 is now available in Canada and the United States. Here are some hints, tips, and all of your questions answered about Abbott’s latest CGM (continuous glucose monitor) and how the new CGM is different than Libre 1. For diabetics using Libre 1 or Libre 14-day, the improved accuracy of the Libre 2 CGM is reason enough to upgrade.
Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about the Libre 2 vs Libre 1.
Answers to all the questions you have about the Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 System
Q: Is Libre 2 More Accurate than Libre 1, Libre 14Day, or other CGMs?
A: Both Libre 2 and its predecessors, estimate our glucose levels by testing the interstitial fluids below our skin. As it takes our bodies’ interstitial fluids to respond to changes in our blood glucose, a CGM will never be as accurate as a figure glucose blood test. However, the Libre 2 has unprecedented accuracy in the industry and introduces new features such as measuring glucose levels every minute, and optional glucose alarms. The optional alarms in FreeStyle Libre 2 gives users the option to be alerted in real-time of critical events such as hypoglycemia (low glucose levels3) or hyperglycemia (high glucose levels4) with notifications going to your compatible phone, or reader. Please note, both the reader and the app are not available in all locations.
Q: Is the Freestyle Libre 2 CGM approved for use in Children?
A: Libre 2 is an approved medical device for people with diabetes ages 4 and up in Canada and the United States.
Q: What is the cost for Freestyle Libre 2?
A: Abbott has been marketing the Freestyle Libre 2 at the same cost as Libre 1 or Libre 14 Day. In Canada Libre 2 costs around $100 per sensor, although the price varies by location.
Q: Do Government-issued insurance policies cover the Libre 2 glucose sensor?
A: As Libre 2 was only approved for use in Canada on December 2, 2020 and the United States on June 15, 2020. It has historically taken about a year for Provincial and government health insurance such as Ontario’s Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program is now providing public reimbursement for the FreeStyle Libre system for Ontario residents who manage diabetes with insulin. Similar programs are available in Quebec and the Yukon. Check withto accommodate the newer technologies. As of May 2021, only Private Health Insurance is covering Libre 2.
A: As Libre 2 was only approved for use in Canada on December 2, 2020 and the United States on June 15, 2020. It has historically taken about a year for Provincial and government health insurance such as Ontario’s Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program is now providing public reimbursement for the FreeStyle Libre system for Ontario residents who manage diabetes with insulin. Similar programs are available in Quebec and the Yukon. Check withto accommodate the newer technologies. As of May 2021, only Private Health Insurance is covering Libre 2.
Q: Does the Freestyle Libre 2 use the same iOS or Android App or use the same reader as the Libre 1 sensor?
A: No, to accommodate the alarms in Libre 2 the App is different, both the reader and the app have been upgraded. It is important to note that this is different by Region. For example, in the UK the App is the same for Libre 1 and Libre 2. As of June 2021, there is not an approved app in the US, only a Reader. In contrast, in Canada – only an App is available, and not the reader.
Q: Will I lose my glucose data when I upgrade to Libre 2?
A: Unfortunately as Abbott’s Freestyle Libre 2 uses a new app (at least in Canada), your historical data that is saved on your phone in the Libre 1 App is not transferred over to the Libre 2 App.
Don’t worry, the data is not lost as our Freestyle Libre apps automatically upload our data to the LibreView website. You can see all of your historical Libre data at www.libreview.com. Log into the website using the same username and password you use to log into your app.
Q: How can I help my Libre 2 Sensor stay on for 14-days?
I have been using the Libre Glucose system since 2018. I have had a few questions from readers on tips to keep their Abbott FreeStyle Libre and Libre 2 from falling or being knocked off before the 14-day expiry. Read our pose on a few tips I have been using to help keep my Libre Sensor from falling or being knocked off of the back of my arm. Read the post here on 7 Tips to help keep your FreeStyle Libre Attached for 14-days.
Q: Does the Freestyle Libre 2 have Alarms for High and Low Glucose?
The biggest advantage of Libre 2 over Libre 14 Days, Libre 10 Days, or Libre 1 is the introduction of glucose alarms for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). The new alarms utilize a Bluetooth connection to either the Libre Reader or your Apple or Android phone. The alarms are also sent to secondary devices such as an Apple Watch as a notification.
Q: My Apple Device always says “Signal Loss”, scan your Libre 2 sensor to reconnect your device
A: Apple devices require you to be running the app in the background to be able to communicate with 3rd Party Devices like Dexcom, Freestyle Libre, Tile, your Garmin or Fitbit watch. In order to ensure that you can receive your alarms from your Libre Senor ensure that you do not close the app (do not swipe up to close it), and keep your phone with the range of about 6 meters or 20 feet. If you are out of range, you may not receive glucose alarms. Bluetooth must be switched on when starting a FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor. Bluetooth and notifications must be turned on to receive glucose alerts.
Q: Can I receive glucose alarms from my Libre 2 on more than one device?
A: No, the alarms are only available on one device. To receive optional alarms on your phone, you must scan your FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor with your phone first, you cannot use your reader. You choose which device you want to receive alarms: FreeStyle Libre 2 reader or FreeStyle LibreLink app. You must start your FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor with that selected device. Once you scan your FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor with that device, you can receive alarms only on that device.
Other FreeStyle Libre Resources
This is just one set of helpful tips from one Libre user to another. Be sure to check out a few resources that may be helpful to you and your body type. Here are a few places to start:
Accessories, Cases, Patches, and More for the FreeStyle Libre – A list of helpful accessories for your FreeStyle Libre 1 and Libre 2 scanner and sensor. Patches, cases, stickers, adhesive patches and guides to help your Libre last the 14 days in style.
Freestyle Libre | Official Learning videos and Tips – Abbott, the makers of the Freestyle Libre diabetes glucose monitoring system, has released a series of education and learning videos to help us get the most out of our continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).
Send me your Freestyle Libre hints and tips!
I would love to hear any other hints or tricks from people. If you are a marketer, please do not provide comments, however, feel free to drop me a message on our contact page.
Navigating the world of diabetes management can be overwhelming — especially for those who have been recently diagnosed. Having diabetes means adjusting to a new diet, checking your blood sugar levels, and sifting through occasionally confusing information and resources. Considering all of these new changes being implemented into one’s life, it can cause depression, anxiety, and stress for those with diabetes. Finding ways to manage these symptoms while also managing a recent diagnosis is key towards living a healthier and happier life with diabetes.
The following are three tips to help newly diagnosed diabetics deal with the shock and lifestyle changes that come with their diagnosis.
1. Accept your emotions and let yourself feel them all.
When first being diagnosed with diabetes, many feel angry, scared, and lost. This can include feelings and thoughts such as, “Why me?” It is important to let yourself feel these emotions. Diabetes is stressful, and it is likely to alter your lifestyle. But, remember that that does not mean your life has to change drastically. With proper resources and information from your doctor, you can manage your diabetes. Learn healthy ways to cope with your emotions, and try to let yourself feel whatever they may be. Repressing them can potentially cause issues further down the road, including denial and depression.
2. Confide in loved ones or professionals.
During this time, emotions will be high. Some individuals have the instinct to repress how they are feeling or isolate themselves. By talking to family and friends, it can help you work through your feelings. Express yourself, and be honest and open. Let them know that you would appreciate their support, as well as how you would like them to be there for you during this time. This may include help with going to doctors appointments, setting alarms for checking your blood sugar levels, or even just being there to listen. For some, looking into the possibility of professional help may be beneficial as well. Confide in your doctor or therapist to help figure out what is going to work best for you.
3. Find a community.
Many individuals with diabetes feel alone or misunderstood when they are first diagnosed, as sometimes they are the only one in their circle of friends who has the condition. Being able to relate to others is extremely important because it can help those diagnosed with managing their diabetes and looking to them for tips and advice.
The Diabetes App is a free application that can be downloaded in any mobile device app store. This application is solely for the diabetes community. It has users who are type 1, type 2, and supporters. It acts as a social media platform where users can create a profile, join groups, post, message, and add each other. It also has access to resources including meal plans curated by dietitians, access to professionals, live streams, exercise videos, and more. By joining The Diabetes App, those who are recently diagnosed can receive access to invaluable resources and friends who will all be able to relate to what they may be experiencing and offer insightful advice.
To conclude, being newly diagnosed with diabetes can be a troubling time. It can cause distress and concern about changes that will occur in the individual’s life. This is why it is important to figure out what will work best for you in terms of managing your diagnosis. Some helpful tips include confiding in loved ones such as family friends, and leaning on them for emotional support.
Be open about how you are feeling, both to yourselves and your doctors or family. Reach out to others when you need help, and let them know how they can assist you. Find a community that understands you and can relate to you.
This September, Diabetes Canada is rallying Canadians together to Lace Up to End Diabetes. A virtual 10K event – where you exercise, move, run, or ride your way!
It’s been 100 years since the discovery of insulin – the most notable Canadian medical breakthrough of the 20th century. However, insulin is not enough. It’s the starting line, not the finish line for diabetes.
Diabetes is successful at outrunning us all. Even after 100 years of insulin, the problem of diabetes is bigger than ever. Today, one in three Canadians has diabetes or at risk of diabetes, and young people face a greater than 50% chance of developing diabetes in their lifetime.
This year I’m leading a Lace Up to End Diabetes team (Team Diabetic Dad) to help bring Canadians across the country together in a movement—Lace up to End Diabetes!
We invite you to do your #LaceUp10k your way!
You choose the activity and you set the pace. Walk, run, ride or dance your kilometres, whether it’s in two hours, two days or two weeks.: a virtual 10k but done in your own way! You choose the activity and you set the pace. Walk, run, ride or dance your kilometers in, whether it’s in two hours, two days or two weeks.
Yep — this is Me! Why not sponsor Diabetes Canada or better yet – join my team!
A Little About Me
I am a T2 diabetic on insulin. I also have an irritable bowel disease called Crohn’s disease. Although many people see chronic illness as a shadow that looms over them, I remind myself that living with diabetes or any chronic disease (or two) does not dictate what we can accomplish, if anything, it motivates me to show the world that I am in control of what I can achieve, which can be seen in my running, hiking, and cycling. That’s why I’m participating in Lace Up to End Diabetes: a virtual 10k in my own way! Read more about me here.
WHAT IS THE LACE UP 10k?
I invite you to do your #LaceUp10k your way! LaceUp 10K is a virtual event by Diabetes Canada where you choose the activity and you set the pace. Walk, run, ride or dance your 10 kilometres, whether it’s in two hours, two days or two weeks, during the month of September.
Run
Whether you’re more of an adrenaline junkie or a moving meditator, running is one of the quickest ways to clock your kilometres.
Ride
Hop on your bike, scooter, or skateboard to go the distance. Indoor bikes count, too! This is the easiest way to take the 100k Challenge!
Walk
Walking is an easy way to exercise, and a great way to get the whole family involved parents, kids, and pets!
Move
Join us by stretching, toning, or dancing in your living room! Every two hours of a works out to about 10 kilometres of distance travelled.
For me, I am setting my goal high:
Staying active for 2 hours a week (about 20k if I run) for the month of September!
WHY AM I LACING UP?
The funds and awareness I raise supports education, support services, advocacy and funding diabetes research that may just lead to the next big medical breakthrough.
I am lacing up this year to help redefine what it means to be a T2 diabetic and to continue to remind my two boys that despite what life throws at us, we can still accomplish anything.
SPONSOR ME NOW
Please show your support by helping me reach my fundraising goals, by donating to LaceUp (link below) or joining my TEAM and committing to stay active. Check back often to see updates on my progress.
For those that visit my blog regularly, you have read countless words on the importance of good diabetes management and risk associated with insulin dependence for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. The other week I had a chance to sit down with my friends at Beyond Type 2 (beyondtype2.org) to talk about a shift happening in the Type 2 diabetes community — more discussions surrounding the experiences of low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia.
I won’t take the fanfare and glory from the great article that T’ara Smith at Beyond Type 2 pulled together, however, here is a teaser of the start of the article. A link to the entire article discussing Type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemia, and the risk of sever hypoglycemia is at the bottom of the page.
STAYING READY WITH NASAL GLUCAGON
Read the entire article at BeyondType2.org where I discuss my struggles with hypoglycemia and Type 2 diabetes.
It’s known that the primary focus of Type 2 diabetes management is on high blood glucose, but there is a shift happening in the Type 2 diabetes community — more discussions surrounding the experiences of low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia. People with Type 2 diabetes like Mark Hanlon, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2009, are sharing their stories to promote awareness about hypoglycemia and why it’s important for people with Type 2, especially those on insulin, to be prepared for an emergency.
“Hypoglycemia changes your day. If I’m at work and experience hypoglycemia, I can feel gross and sweaty, but most importantly, it tires me out and I get exhausted,” said Mark Hanlon, who lives in Toronto, Canada.
Hypoglycemia can occur at any time. But for people with Type 2 diabetes, it’s a condition that can have major consequences if not treated. While candy and juice are traditionally the ways people with diabetes treat a low, there’s a new emergency treatment on the market called Baqsimi, a nasal glucagon spray, is an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia episodes when a person is unable to drink or eat something or when they need assistance from someone else. It’s a more user-friendly version compared to the other glucagon kit, which requires the user to use a syringe to treat a patient having a low blood sugar emergency.
Those with Type 2 who take insulin are at a higher risk of experiencing hypoglycemia than those without who do not take insulin. If you’re starting an insulin regimen, it’s important to ask your doctor about how to treat a low blood sugar episode in the event it happens. For Mark, who started on basal (long-acting) insulin and later bolus (mealtime) insulin, he and his doctor never had those conversations.
“Everyone from my physician to my endocrinologist would say I’m well-informed,” said Mark. “Still, hypoglycemia wasn’t touched on. I think there’s this expectation that adults with diabetes know enough or can figure out these concerns for ourselves.”
For example, Mark was instructed to take four units of bolus insulin before meals and instructions on how much more insulin to take if his glucose was above a certain level before meals. However, he wasn’t advised on how to adjust the amount of insulin to take for certain kinds of meals……
What are the benefits of using a Dexcom G6 or Freestyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to manage your Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes? As an insulin-dependent T2D, I am always looking for new or better ways to manage my diabetes and learn about how my body manages the carbohydrates I consume.
I have been using a CGM to manage my diabetes since the fall of 2018. Here are some of my observations of the benefits of using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) from the perspective of an insulin-dependent Type-2 diabetic.
REMINDER: This information and website is not intended to provide any medical advice, opinion, or decision making, and cannot replace or be a substitute for your relationship with your healthcare provider.
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) for diabetes?
A Continuous Glucose Monitor or CGM is a medical device that continuously checks the glucose in your body every 5 to 15 minutes, all day and all night. A CGM allows you to monitor your glucose day and night without the need for traditional blood glucose finger tests. A CGM also allows you to see the trends and patterns in your glucose to help you and your diabetes team make more informed treatment decisions. Different CGM devices collect information in different manners using tiny sensors. In some cases, the sensor is placed under the skin of your belly in a quick and painless fashion, however, a CGM typically adheres to the back of your arm or your belly for 10 to 14 days.
Me sporting my FreeStyle LIbre CGM to manage my blood glucose and diabetes control.
The picture to the right is me wearing my 14 days Freestyle Libre CGM sensor. You can read more about my thoughts on the Libre here. I also have a series of questions and answers about the FreeStyle Libre that are very much applicable to all CGM systems.
Four of the most common CGM’s on the market are the Dexcom G6, Abbott Freestyle Libre, Medtronic Guardian Connect CGM and Eversense (this one intrigues me). However, not all CGM’S are available in every country as they are subject to approval by your federal health / drug administrations as approved treatments for diabetes. Within Canada, both the Dexcom G6 and Freestyle Libre are available as approved diabetic devices and are covered by most public and private health insurance; although in most cases there is a requirement to be on insulin.
How does a CGM read (blood) glucose?
The technology used by each CGM is slightly different. However, unlike traditional finger blood glucose tests that use a sample of your blood to test for the amount of glucose in your body, a Continuous Glucose Monitor typically reads your glucose from your interstitial fluids below your skin.
Interstitial fluid (IF), or simply tissue fluid, is a mixture of water, ions, and small solutes that are forced out of the blood plasma by the systolic pressure created when the heart pumps. Plasma is a mixture of water and many other constituents, which carry blood cells and oxygen to various parts of the body. I look at IF, as the fluid that sits beneath our skin. As if is born from our blood, it carries our glucose and is read by the CGM. Hint: CGM’s work best when we are well hydrated.
Here is a great info-graphic that shows how typical CGM sensors interact with the interstitial fluid and the glucose travelling in your blood.
Image showing how typical CGM readers estimate your glucose from interstitial fluids (IF). Source: http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/
There are 1,440 minutes in a day? How many times a day do you test your blood glucose?
There are 1,440 minutes in a day? How many times do you test your glucose? Can you really say how well you know what your blood sugars are doing?
To be conservative let’s say as a typical diabetic we test our blood glucose with finger tests five times a day – a fasting glucose test when we wake up, before breakfast, lunch, and dinner and before our correction dose at bedtime. Presuming each test is a 1-minute snapshot of our glucose levels, that is less than 1% of the total minutes in a day or 5 minutes of testing? What are your blood sugars doing the other 23 hours and 55 minutes (1,435 minutes)? Even if you tested your glucose 10 times a day with a finger test, besides our poor fingers feeling like a pin cushion, we still have huge gaps in our glucose trends. This is where your continuous glucose monitor truly shines.
A typical CGM tests your glucose every five minutes or 288 times a day. Using our same 5 traditional finger blood glucose tests, that still accounts for only 2% of the day. With a CGM, you now have the ability to track and monitoring your glucose up to 24 hours a day as you can see below in the black trend line.
24 Hour Glucose Trend Line from my Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor). You can see the spikes in my blood sugars with each meal and the spread or gap between the start of the spike and the end of the rise.
Studies have shown that there is a positive relationship between testing your glucose and better A1c results
Did you know that studies have shown that the more often a diabetic test their blood glucose the better their diabetes management? A 2013 study published by Diabetes Care (iv) showed that the higher number of blood glucose measurements per day was strongly associated with a lower HbA1c level. Results from the study suggest that if you test your blood glucose 2 times a day, your A1C is usually around 9%. Diabetics that test the blood glucose more than 10 times reduce their A1c to closer to 7%.
Graph: The more often you test your blood glucose, the better your A1c will be (Source Abbott UK) (Source iv).
Imagine the successes you can have with your glucose control if you CGM tests your blood glucose 288 times a day? A similar study by 50,000 CGM readers worldwide suggests that the typical CGM user scans their sensors / checks their CGM readers 16 times a day can drop their HbA1C to less that 7% [Blue Graph]. More importantly, the events in minutes per day of Hypoglycemia falls by 40% in high vs infrequent testers (v) [Red Graph].
Graph: Real-world CGM data comprising 50,831 readers and 279,446 sensors worldwide, shows that frequent glucose checks with higher rates of CGM scanning are linked to improved glycaemic markers, including increased time in range and reduced time in hyper and hypoglycaemia (Source: Diabetes Research and Clinical Care).
A CGM will help us understand how high, how quickly and how long our blood glucose reacts to the foods we eat
A CGM will help us understand how high, how quickly and how long our blood glucose reacts to the foods we eat. Looking at the image above, you can see the spikes in my blood sugar with each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and the spread or gap between the start of the spike and the end of the rise, for how long it took my T2D body to return back to “normaL”. You can also see the benefits of better carbohydrate and balanced meal consumption with a smaller spike at dinner. You can also see my not so great snack around 10:30 at night. The dots were where I took a specific glucose reading.
From the insights gained from our CGM, we can that how our Type 2 bodies can manage certain foods will be different for all of us depending on how much “natural” glucose control we have. Do you know what foods work better with your diabetes than others? If for no other reason, I truly believe this is one of the main reasons why EVERY diabetic should wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor, even for a short 10 to 14 day period between diabetes clinic visits. This includes both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics on insulin as well as Type 2 diabetics that are managing their diabetes with pills, diet, and exercise.
Imagine as recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetic, for a 10 to 14 day period, the power of keeping a food log and being able to see EXACTLY:
How high did my blood sugars rise with certain foods
How quickly did my blood sugars climb, and did they return back to the normal range?
How long did my blood sugars stay above 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) after I ate?
Do your sugars rise with everything you ate? Are your sugars increasing as they naturally would with food, and coming back down to a normal 5 or 6; or are they following a steady staircase as the day progresses, coming down but not as much as they increased, eventually leaving you in the high teens or twenties by bedtime? How well do certain types of food work together? What works better? FOOD X, or FOOD X and Y? How good or bad is that “diabetes” friendly snack?
The successes with diabetes management are as much about
learning as they are about good habits.
CGM can help support Diabetes Biohacking
Biohacking is the practice of examining and changing our body chemistry, in the case of Type 2 diabetes, our bodies’ ability to self-manage glucose, through food science and self-experimentation. CGM is a critical tool in diabetes biohacking. What do you consider your gold standard of glucose management? For me, through a balanced diet (carbohydrates, fibre, and the glycemic index of foods, and medication), how well can I get my T2D body mimic the glycemic response of a typical or healthy adult?
What is a typical glycemic response to food?
What is the typical bodies’ response to a controlled oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or incremental glucose peak (IGP)? For the OGTT test, you will then be asked to drink a liquid containing a certain amount of glucose (usually 75 grams). Your blood will be taken again every 30 to 60 minutes after you drink the solution to measure how high, and for how long your glucose remains in your blood.
We are all aware of how our bodies “should” work. We consume carbohydrates, cells in your pancreas (known as beta cells) are signalled to release insulin into your bloodstream. Insulin then attaches to and signals cells to absorb sugar from the bloodstream. Insulin is often described as a “key,” which unlocks the cell to allow sugar to enter the cell and be used for energy. (i) How much sugar (glucose) in our blood; after 2 hours; is an indication of glycemic control or diabetes.
The OGTT tests how well our bodies respond to the sugar drink. In other words, you drink the sugar drink, your sugars rise. Your body releases insulin and over the next two yours, the insulin helps your body convert the glucose to energy until your glucose levels return to a normal range between 3.9 and 7.1 mmol/L (70 to 130 mg/dL). Depending on the results of OGTT, we are diagnosed with diabetes.
What is your diabetes diagnosis: Normal Fasting glucose is typically 3.3 to 5.5 mmol/L (60 to 100 mg/dL) and after 2 hours of the glucose tolerance test, a blood glucose less than 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL). In contrast, a pre-diabetic or someone with impaired glucose tolerance have an OGTT of A 2-hour value between 7.8 and 11.1 mmol/L (140 and 200 mg/dL). We are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes with a 2-hour OGTT value of 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) or higher.
What does this mean for a Type 2 Diabetic?
As Type 2 diabetics, how well our bodies can manage our glucose varies depending on how extensively our disease has progressed. In the early stages of a typical Type 2 diagnosis, we can improve our glycemic control through a better diet (don’t consume as many carbohydrates) and exercise (force our bodies to use more carbohydrates). As our disease progresses, oral medications are used to improve our glycemic control, eventually progressing to a lifestyle similar to a Type 1 Diabetic, where Insulin is required to replace the insulin our pancreas would normally produce.
Why is this important to recognize? The severity of our Type 2 Diabetes, directly relates to how well our body can manage glucose, and more importantly how that relates to the foods we eat. The same meal consumed by one Type 2 Diabetic and how well we can use the carbohydrates in that food, will be completely different for each of us. More importantly, how much glucose is left in our bodies between meals will be very accordingly. This is where bioHacking and our CGM’s shine.
Jessie Inchauspe, the BioHACKING wizard behind IG’s GlucoseGODDESS. If you are eating a meal that has carbs, eating the carbs last will be better for your glucose levels. Source: https://instagram.com/p/B8b0eyRoHc0/
Preliminary published by the American Diabetes Association (ii) found that when vegetables and protein were eaten before carbohydrates, there were a reduction om glucose levels by as much as 37%, compared to when carbohydrates were consumed first. More recently, research has suggested that the extent of the glucose-lowering effect of protein and fat was found to be even greater when they are consumed before carbohydrates than mixed with them (iii). Give it a try and let us know what you observe with your CGM? How bad for your sugars are your favourite bowl of cereal? How bad is that All You Can Eat (AYCE) Susi (Check out my IG Post) (ADD LINK)
CGM’s Can Help Warn of you Severe Hypoglycemia or HyperGlycemia Events’
How well do you know when your blood sugars (glucose) are getting out of control? Are they getting dangerously high, are they too low to safely drive or at risk of a hypoglycemia event? A continuous glucose monitor can work to warn you or your caregivers when your glucose is getting out of range. CGM’s like the Dexcom G6 can work with your mobile phone, to continuously communicate with your mobile phone (about once every five minutes) via a Bluetooth connection to notify you if your glucose is above or below a defined threshold. The FreeStyle Libre, with the assistance of a 3rd party receiver to read the Near Field Communications of the Libre such as the Ambrosia NightRider BluCon and MiaoMiao that can read the sensor every 5 minutes and send the data via Bluetooth to an app which then notifies you of approaching highs or lows.
Although neither device is perfect, for example, your phone needs to be on and charged, your phone needs to be within the Bluetooth range of the sensor, and the app needs to be continuously running. However, this opens up some incredible opportunities. Despite these imperfections – something that could never be achieved with finger tests alone.
CGM’s are Opening the Doors for Automated Insulin Delivery for Type 1 Diabetics
Unlike Type 2 Diabetics whose pancreases and use of insulin are not as efficient as they need to be, Type 1 Diabetics do not produce insulin naturally and rely on doses of insulin with each meal to allow their bodies to manage their carbohydrate intake and fuel their bodies. Many T1D’s have migrated taking individual doses of insulin with each meal to the convenience of using an insulin pump to manage their insulin dosing.
An insulin pump constantly gives you a small amount of insulin, called a “basal rate,” throughout the day and night to help control your blood sugar. When you need extra insulin to cover a meal or to correct high blood sugar, you tell the pump to give you a small dose of rapid-acting insulin. Similar to a CGM saving your fingers from daily glucose tests, an insulin pump saves a diabetic from routine insulin infections, limiting them to a single catheter needle every two or three days. To date, insulin pumps are not “smart”, they are simply an easy delivery method for daily insulin use.
This is where the magic of CGM, an insulin pump, and a “highly experimental and not an approved therapy treatment for diabetes”, called Looping start to play well together.
Looping is highly experimental. You take full responsibility for building and running this system and do so at your own risk.
So What is Insulin Looping?
Loop is an app template for building an automated insulin delivery system. Loop works much like an artificial pancreas. Using your CGM, the loop system knows what your glucose levels are at any given time. Have you been exercising and your sugars are lower, did you just participate in an AYCE Sushi lunch and they are spiking higher than estimated, or were on the go and just could not eat as well as we normally do. An insulin pump requires manual adjustments to balance these needs. With Looping, the changes are seamless – with your CGM, working with the looping framework / application to then adjust the amount of insulin automatically depending on your glucose level – aka an artificial pancreas. Imagine a diabetic world where blood sugars are close to normal, without the concerns of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia occurrences?
Although looping is not at the point where it is a mainstream diabetes solution – it does open the doors for where this blending of technologies will take us over the next generation of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.
My thoughts about Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Type 2 Diabetics
Continuous Glucose Monitors are a game-changer for diabetes education and management. The simplicity and convenience of tap and scan to download the last 8 hours of readings from you Freestyle Libre or the Bluetooth connection to your mobile device with the Dexcom G6 has a direct relationship with patient responsibility and accountability to their diabetes management. Most of us are very visual learners, while others are still in denial as to the extent our bodies are no capable to manage carbohydrates on their own. I would be the first to admit, I Have tested my body time and time again, to see if just this year, things are improving on the diabetes front not continuing to slide towards insulin dependence.
A few days into using a CGM for the first time, a user in a diabetes FaceBook group I participate in enthusiastically wrote, ” I’ve been using Libre for a few days, blown away by how easy it is, how convenient, it’s a joy to test now! Doctor didn’t want to prescribe it to me as he felt it was just for type 1 diabetics .. doctors need an education about how easy these things are to use and how they can benefit anyone that is diabetic. “
Being able to see my blood sugars 24/7 has certainly helped me improve my glucose management and be a more responsible diabetic. Top image – my average 14-day glucose from early 2019. 55% of my day I was in my target range. Bottom image – Today, thanks to my CGM I am in my target range 88% of the time and no very high glucose.
Being able to see, how high did my blood sugars rise with certain foods, how quickly did my blood sugars climb, and did they return back to the normal range, and how long did my blood sugars stay above 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) after I ate are important lessons for any Type 2 diabetic. I strongly believe for that reason alone, insurance companies should be funding the use of CGM on a short term basis. Why not make them part of your diabetic equipment annual maximum for any non-insulin dependent Type 2? The long term benefits of proper diabetes care are well known and documented.
(ii) Food Order Has a Significant Impact on Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Levels, Alpana P. Shukla, Radu G. Iliescu, Catherine E. Thomas, Louis J. Aronne, Diabetes Care. 2015 Jul; 38(7): e98–e99.
As we approach the first anniversary of Covid-19 Lockdowns and remote learning. Here are some of the great tools, tips, and resources that have been helpful to make learning from home a success. It doesn’t matter if you are a college or university student, a high school student, or an elementary school student learning from home. There is something in this list for you.
Be sure to add your comments below on what has been your most helpful tool for learning from home.
Online Discounts Designed for Students
Amazon Prime for Students (6-months Free)
Did you know that as a student you qualify for a 6-month Free Trial of Amazon Prime and 50% off the Prime monthly rate? Why not give it a try – you can Cancel Any Time. Join Amazon Prime at a Student discount today. Prime Student members enjoy the same FREE delivery, streaming of popular TV shows and movies, on-demand, ad-free music streaming, Twitch Prime, early access to deals, and more.
The Deal: 6 Months Free. After your trial, your membership will upgrade to Amazon Prime for 50% off. Cancel anytime. Quebec residents get a 7-month membership for CDN $3.99 instead of a trial.
You Amazon Prime Access gives you:
Fast free delivery
Amazon Music Prime
Prime Gaming
Amazon Prime Video
Unlimited Photo Storage
50% off student discount for the normal Amazon Prime rate after your trial period.
Buy your Winter TextBooks Online
Save yourself a trip to campus. Check out Amazon’s extensive list of textbooks and save up to 20%. Textbooks from K-12 and University.
One of the newest apps in our diabetes toolkit is TDA – The Diabetes App for iOS, Android, and your web browser. This post is a diabetics review of the TDA App, or formally called the DMP or Diabetes Management App.
As Type-1 and Type-2 diabetics, one of the greatest tools we have to help manage our disease is the diabetic community. The hints, tips, and advice on how to better deal with our glucose control, eating and diet tips and recipes, and just overall mental support, from those that can directly relate in invaluable.
DMP Is a free app for the diabetics community with community forums, livestreams, resources, and professional contacts.
In this post, I will take a deep dive into the DMP – The Diabetes App from a diabetic’s perspective. I hope this review of the new diabetes community app will be helpful to my fellow T1D and T2D diabetics. However, before I get into my review, here is a quick overview of the DMP App available for iOS and Android. See the links at the end of this post to install the App.
What is the DMP – The Diabetes App?
The Diabetes App or DMP is a free app for iOS and Android devices that is dedicated to the diabetic community. On DMP, diabetics and their caregivers can connect with individuals from around the world to make new connections, get community support from people with the same type of diabetes (Type-1, Type-2, Gestational, etc.), who are the same age or have similar struggles. DMP also has a Find Professional area to connect diabetics with support from dedicated diabetes professionals from around the world.
What are the key features of the DMP App?
Like most blogs dealing with diabetes (this one included) and social media platforms like Facebook, DMP offers diabetics a convenient avenue from which to knowledge share and to educate themselves on diabetes, gain hints and tips on any variety of topics ranging from diabetic-friendly diets, advice, motivation, my favourite topic on our CGM or other diabetics technology (Hint: Want tips on how to keep your Libre or Dexcom CGM stuck to your arm? Read more here), and much, much more.
The iPhone version of the DMP App – a community resource for T1 and T2 diabetics.
Where DMP takes knowledge sharing to an entirely new level is in providing a one-stop resource for diabetics integrated into a friendly app. The DMP App also has a website version.
The great features are available through the DMP – The Diabetes App for iOS and Android include:
Live Streams – At least twice a week DMP host live streams in their app or on the Instagram Channel. Many of the sessions are hosted by health professionals including registered nurses, physicians, psychologists, diabetes educators, and passionate members of the diabetes community
Online Chat Groups – Bulletin boards and chat groups have been the foundation of the internet since its inception. DMP brings together diabetics and caregivers across a variety of diabetic topics. Post a question, get a reply, or just some kudos to get you over that hump.
Resources – Links to online resources, articles, and blog posts for diabetics. Some of the topics include the benefits of exercise, recipes, exercise videos, podcasts, and achieves of livestream events
Professional Advice – The Find a Professional area is dedicated to connecting diabetics with trained professionals with expertise in diabetes management.
Ask DMP – Directly message the DMP team with questions, concerns, feedback, or wishes that you have for the App and how it can better support the diabetes community.
A diabetics review of the DMP App for iOS and Android
As many of my readers know, I am active in several Facebook groups, diabetes forum topics and through my blog to help Type 2 diabetics like myself manage the disease, how to better work with our CGMs, and as an insulin-dependent T2, learn from the amazing Type 1 diabetic community with tips on how to train my 40-year old self how to manage life on bolus and basal insulin. So where does DMP fit into my toolbox of diabetes resources?
Does DMP Simplify navigating the diabetes Support Community Forum
Facebook has 1.7 billion daily active users, and hundreds of groups on diabetes alone. As an example, my Type-1 diabetes support group has 43k members. Online communities / forums are a great resource that follows a question and answer model – ask a question on just about anything diabetes-related and a community member will likely be able to respond with a personal antidote or provide links to online resources. Sure, there are loads of similar resources on Facebook and other websites, but, like all things, not all groups are created equal.
DMP Community support at its best answering one of my questions on tips for a newly diagnosed diabetic.
The DMP App and website were designed to simplify the search for online diabetic resources and bring the same community, conversations, support, and userbase to a dedicated app for iOS and Android. In my opinion, the DMP App has done just that with flying colours.
When I asked the DMP Team how they feel the Diabetes App improves the existing experience that is found in Facebook groups and similar online sources, they raised a few great points:
Rules found in Facebook groups, which while useful in eliminating spam, can sometimes prevent conversations that provide helpful information.
DMP does have basic community guidelines, the rules allow for the sharing of helpful information with a goal is to help people thrive. The DMP want to hear about someone’s diabetes podcast, blog that they started up, or a social media account dedicated to their journey. Oftentimes these are the links that get silenced in Facebook groups.
The idea of an all-in-one app, having an app-specific to those living with diabetes allows people to have a place where everybody on the app can relate to one another.
It also allows people to foster friendships whereas Facebook group notifications can get lost in the clutter of other notifications from Facebook unrelated to diabetes.
It’s a safe space that allows people to acknowledge their diabetes while having control over how they wish to engage whether that’s participating in community forums or simply utilizing our resources. It caters to a variety of needs.
From my experience, the DMP App has dedicated Community Groups / Forums for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics, open groups for all diabetics to get together, and more specific topics such as tips to help slow down (reverse) the progression of Type 2 diabetes or parents of Type-1 diabetics (under the mom’s section). The screenshot shown above was a recent question I threw out to the community asking “what is the #1 tip you would give to someone that was recently diagnosed as a diabetic?”
As of January 2021, some of the DMP Community Groups included:
TYPE 1 DIABETES
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Daily Chats
Daily Chats
Teens
Reversing Diabetes
Young Adults
Diet
Adults
Moms
Moms
The mom’s group includes found under both areas includes: Moms with Diabetes, Moms to T1D kids (psst, what about Dads?), and Gestational Diabetes
How is the DMP Community?
DMP has been available in the Google and iOS App stores since the Summer of 2020. In a few short months the DMP App has growth into a community of over 1,500 active users and close to 4,000 downloads. Every day I logged into the app there are new and fresh faces in the community forums. This early into an app’s history, it would not be fair to hold being “new” against them.
That being said, the DMP – the Diabetes App team has done a fantastic job hosting a wide variety of Weekly Live streams dedicated to diabetes and diabetic friendly topics via the app and Instagram Live.
A great variety of weekly Live Streams Catered to Diabetics
My first experience with DMP Live Streams was a Live from the Kitchen session for making Blueberry Lemon Scones hosted by Corey a Type 2 Diabetic and food blogger at @thistastegoodcorey (https://www.instagram.com/thistastesgoodcorey/) who’s tageline is “sharing my journey of recently being diagnosed with diabetes one meal at a time”.
DMP typically holds two livestreams each week on a variety of topics. Prior to the livestream, users are sent push notifications to their App advertising the live event. Most of the live events do take place within the DMP app with a few held on Instagram Live as well and usually around 30 minutes in length.
Sample of one of the DMP Livestreams – get the DMP Community App for Diabetics.
To raise awareness about these events, DMP promotes on their social media platforms prior to the event. In addition, users are also sent push notifications on the app when the event is about to start which will direct them to the Livestream page.
Some of the recent live events included:
The Importance of Peer Support and Treating Depression by Hannah (Senior Pharmacist for Diabetes and Endocrinology in the UK) – View
Managing Seasonal Depression and Diabetes by Harpeet Nagra (Licensed Psychologist) – View
Achieving your Health Goals by Natalie (Certified diabetes educator and life coach) – View
Live from the Kitchen: Blueberry Lemon Scones (Type 2 Diabetic and food blogger) – View
The best feature about the livestreams is that they are recorded and made available for viewing at any time under the Livestream Archives allowing you rewatch or even more importantly, watch them at a time that is convenient for you. After all, life is busy – convenience is the key, reinforcing the DMP idea of a one-stop-app for all your diabetes needs. Kudos to DMP!
The livestream hosts are informative, dynamic, and the sessions are frequent. It will be great to see if the DMP can keep up this cadence of online hosts as the months and years go by.
Find Diabetic Professionals
One of the most unique features of the DMP – The Diabetes App is the Find a Professional section which is dedicated to connecting diabetics with trained professionals with expertise in diabetes management. To be clear, this area only provides you with an introduction, and the services provided by the professionals may be subject to fees for service. That being said, one of the biggest challenges we face as diabetics is finding advice beyond our family physician or endocrinologist.
The international list of professionals ranges from diabetes educators, health coaches, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, personal trainers, and more. Although the existing list of professionals is small at the time I wrote this post, it is a great start. I cant wait to see the list grow to include dietitians, naturopaths, and more.
Areas where the DMP – The Diabetes App can improve?
GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY: The App is one of the newest support platforms on the internet for Diabetics. Continued growth in active users and the community forums will be critical. This is where you come into the picture, give DMP a try and let me know in the comments below what you think? Links to install the App for iOS, Android are listed at the bottom of the post, or check out their website here.
ADDING SEARCH FUNCTION: Many of the sections of the app are chronological lists with the newest content on the top. This works ok for a new app, but as the months and years go by and the amount of content increases exponentially, search functions, filters, and tagging content with keywords will be critical.
For example, what if I only want to find Livestreams on exercising or cooking? That is a lot of scrolling to find the hidden gems
CONTINUE TO BE FREE: The app is advertised as a free resource for diabetics. At this point, it literally is free. The app is clean without any advertising pop-ups or subscription fees. It will be interesting to see how the DMP Team maintains this model going forward. Speaking to the DMP team about this very question, the team provided some encouraging news “Currently, DMP is self-funded. As we move forward, we look to generate revenue through the introduction of an e-commerce feature which will allow us to sell diabetes supplies via the app.” So great news to the DMP Community that the app will continue to be offered for free. Time will tell
MOMS, WHAT ABOUT DADS: Ok, this one is a bit of a comical pet-peeve, but as a single parent, I did get a bit offended by the Moms section and more so to the Moms of T1D Kids.
FIND A DIABETIC PROFESSIONAL: There is a great variety of resources here from life coaches, medical professionals, health coaches, pharmacists, and more. It would be great to know if the professional can support users from anywhere in the world, or limited to a specific country.
Expect a big update to the DMP App in early 2021!
With version 1 of the app released in mid-2021, there is some room for improvement with the app. The DMP team has provided some hints for what to expect with version 2 of the app expected in late spring 2021.
Here are some of the new features we can exepct:
A new e-commerce feature will allow the users the buy diabetes supplies via the app.
Integrating a snapshot calorie counter and diet/lifestyle tracker. Whereas there are plenty of tracker apps available for those living with diabetes, DMP’s goal is to eliminate having to use multiple apps to manage diabetes. By having everything in one place, all information can be tracked in one place and used to spot trends and adjust as needed.
Where can you get the DMP App and access the DMP Web-site
Find the latest version of DMP App in the iOS App Store and Google Play:
In addition, for those who are not very familiar with using apps or want the convenience of a web view, DMP also has a desktop version:
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