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educationself improvementkids
333: Why I Started Wearing a Continuous Glucose Monitor
About this Episode
Join me and Jesse this week as I share what it has actually been like wearing a continuous glucose monitor as a non-diabetic, why I decided to try it, and what I’ve learned about my body in the process. It all starts in the middle of a very real “snowpocalypse” with canceled plans, sick kids, and a scrapped anniversary trip, which somehow turned into the perfect time to slow down, rest, and pay closer attention to my health!
I walk you through the basics of what a continuous glucose monitor is, how the non-medical versions work, and why my functional medicine doctor encouraged me to use one for a few months. I also dig into why I chose the brand that I did, what it cost, how easy it was to install and remove, and what it actually feels like to wear one day to day. (It’s way less intense than I expected, and I forgot it was even there most of the time!)
The real value for me, though, has been the data. Seeing my blood sugar in real time completely changed how I think about food, especially carbs, protein, and movement. Listen in as I share how I assumed that I had major blood sugar issues only to find out that my levels were actually pretty stable and that most of my past “crashes” were likely from under-eating and not getting enough protein. I break down the biggest patterns that I noticed such as why carb-only snacks spike my blood sugar, why starting meals with protein matters, and how even a short walk after eating can make a measurable difference.
Jesse and I also get into some surprisingly practical discoveries such as why eating the same foods in a different order changes the outcome, how workouts affect glucose levels, and why three muffins in one evening sounded fun but did not feel great later. This episode isn’t about perfection or rules. No; it’s about curiosity, small experiments, and using real feedback from my own body to make better choices, so if you have ever wondered how your habits actually impact your energy, focus, or overall health, then this episode is basically me being your guinea pig so you don’t have to be! Tune in, and, as always, I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to reach out!
In This Episode
[0:35] - We’re in the middle of a snowstorm, prepped for possible power loss!
[3:30] - Hear how my anniversary with Jesse was planned, but Micah suddenly complained of ear pain before we could leave.
[4:41] - Hear how both kids tested positive for strep, with Micah also having COVID and an ear infection.
[7:37] - I discuss how I avoided strep but feel that I might have borderline laryngitis, so I’m resting at home and taking vitamins.
[8:53] - I explain how continuous glucose monitors for non-diabetics give real-time data to help me understand my body.
[11:23] - I chose the Stello monitor because it’s accessible, affordable, and shows data without alarms!
[12:55] - The sensor is easy to insert, a tiny filament under the skin, not a needle.
[16:24] - Hear how the monitor sits in fluid around my muscle, stays secure with tape, and is barely noticeable!
[18:01] - I discuss how my device lasted nine days, was easy to remove, and unexpectedly revealed stable blood sugar.
[20:04] - I explain how eating consistently, especially protein first, stabilizes my blood sugar, while carb-only snacks cause spikes.
[22:48] - Eating carbs alone spikes my blood sugar unless I exercise immediately afterward.
[24:25] - Hear how I learned that eating protein first stabilizes blood sugar, whereas carb-first meals cause spikes.
[27:12] - I explain how combining carbs with protein prevents spikes, but carbs alone raise my blood sugar.
[28:45] - Hear how moving shortly after meals helps stabilize blood sugar, especially if I first eat carbs.
[31:45] - The order of eating foods such as protein before vegetables significantly affects blood sugar.
Links & Resources
Social Media
Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)
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Hosts & Guests
No transcript available for this episode.
