HEALTHY = SKINNY… PART 2?

You guys know those biometric screenings you can do to shamelessly get HSA dollars added to your account? Yeah, that’s how I found out I was prediabetic.

A Quest Diagnostics report was mailed to me with an elevated HbA1C. What the heck is this HbA1C? I asked my husband. At 35 years old, I’d never seen that metric tested on any of my annual physicals, and yet here it was—important enough to be on my biometric screening, and elevated enough for a chart to tell me that a few points higher and I’d be diabetic.

WHAT?!

There was that sinking, scared feeling again. The feeling that you’re on the edge of an unknown surprise… and probably not a good one.

I pursued it with my doctor at the time. "Dr. M," I said. "What does this 5.7% A1C mean?"

“Eh,” he emailed back. “Just cut out soda and some carbs and you’ll be fine.”

Truthfully, I felt (okay, still feel) irritated by that answer. It felt overly generalized and didn’t take into account any of my existing lifestyle habits. Still, I took the spirit of what he said to heart. I became more vigilant about my sugar intake and modified my carb portions. When I retested six months later, my A1C had dropped back into the normal range.

SHORT-TERM FIXES DO NOT SUSTAINABLE HABITS CREATE

It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but a few years later, my glucose went back into prediabetic levels again.

I felt like such a failure. It felt like someone with my background should know better, should do better. How could I let this happen? Yada yada. The inner critic is real, y'all. It didn’t matter that I was also taking care of two aging dogs, raising an infant and a toddler, navigating postpartum depression, and trying to survive a global pandemic with my sanity intact. All I felt was shame and anger at myself.

ENTERING THE SCENE: NEW TOOLS + RESOURCES

"Dr. B," I said. "What gives? I run regularly, I make healthy choices, my weight is fine."

It was then that I was introduced to a CGM (continuous glucose monitor)—a device historically used by diabetics to continuously monitor their glucose. But nowadays, it’s used more and more as an educational tool to help prediabetics gain knowledge and insight into their unique bodies. She gave me one as a trial and encouraged me to keep an open mind.

“You’d be surprised,” she said, “at even the so-called healthy items that can spike your glucose and drive your average up. Let me know what you learn.”

WHOOP, THERE IT IS — AGENCY

So I embarked on this two-week trial. And I did have quite a few revelations—not only on how food impacted my glucose, but also how it responded to exercise, sleep, and stress.

I let myself be curious in every way, using this little device that gave me real-time feedback on my body’s response.

  • I asked questions in forums.

  • I borrowed books written by experts.

  • I listened to all the podcasts.

  • I read all the articles.

I became relentlessly curious about how the body works. And I became more sure of myself in the process. I learned, I implemented, and I pivoted where needed. Over, and over, and over again.

Within three months, my HbA1C was back in the normal range. My fasting insulin was remarkably sensitive, my HOMA-IR impressively low, and I had an ApoB even Peter Attia would be proud of.

But beyond the biomarkers? I felt good. I celebrated my 40th birthday feeling more vibrant, energetic, and strong than I’d ever felt in my 20s or 30s. And most importantly, I felt confident in my ability to handle whatever came my way.

SO, WHY DO I PUT SO MUCH EFFORT INTO THIS?

Before me hangs a list of the "Top 20 Most Beautiful Places in the World." I am a self-professed view junkie, feeling most in communion with my spirit and humanity when I connect through nature. I’ve crossed two places off the list, but I have quite a few to go. Getting there will require good health, energy, and stamina. This—this ability to breathe deeply from the mountaintops—this is my "Why."

My two beautiful sons are still quite young, but already showing glimpses of the men they will become. They will have an impact on the world, no doubt. It is my greatest hope as a mom to be a secure and safe home base for them, a steady and loving guide, and an active part of their lives for as long as I possibly can. This, too, is my "Why."

Picture me well into my 90s, hopefully with cool purple hair and funky glasses. I’m showing clear signs of welcomed age—wrinkles, papery skin, smile crinkles. But I also stand tall. I am living independently. I am of clear and sound mind and judgment. I am still fascinated by learning. I am in a community with people I love who love me back. We dance, and we laugh. My life is as freeing in old age as it ever was.

This, right here, is my ultimate "Why."