We spoke to Rachel from Yoga for Diabetes, who is an avid mySugr user. Rachel does so many different things throughout the day to get active, like gardening, swimming, and of course, yoga. The mySugr app is always right by her side like a trusty companion. We asked Rachel why she loves mySugr so much and how she uses it throughout her day.
Can you tell us how you stay active as a person with diabetes?
My day always starts with a visit to my vegetable garden. There’s always something to do in there whether it’s hand watering the seedlings, weeding or adding more soil and compost to the beds. A few hours after breakfast I do a dynamic breathing practice followed by a nourishing yoga sequence. Weather permitting my husband and I head to our local beach for a dunk in the surf or a beach stroll. On days where we don’t head to the beach I am lucky enough to have a big dam on our land. So we head down there for a picnic and a swim. I make sure to walk every afternoon for at least an hour and then close the evening down with some seated yoga poses.
When did you start using the mySugr app?
In February 2018, while I was on my book tour in the USA I found out about the mySugr Bundle from an ad on facebook. I had just started short acting insulin and I was touring in the US to launch my book and purchased the package with the Accu-Chek meter and test strips so I could also utilise the diabetes coach function. This was a life saver for me, having access to a diabetes coach while I navigated bolus insulin for the first time.
What are some of your favorite functions of the mySugr app?
I love the Bolus Calculator*, the ability to track my levels in real-time, and being able to see my estimated A1c. Also racking my carbs by adding the type of food with specific tags and being able to sync apple health with the mySugr app so I can see the number of steps I take.
How does the mySugr app help you get active?
I am naturally very active so for me the app tracks my activity and helps me keep my levels in check so I can see trends. I can clearly see how much my blood sugar lowers or rises after exercise. And then make decisions around dosing or treating based on that form of exercise and how it affects my blood sugar. The mySugr app helps me get active in terms of therapy adjustments as I’m able to see and analyze patterns and learn from my logged data.
When does the mySugr app come in most handy for you?
I use the app the most around meal times. The Bolus Calculator is brilliant and one of the number one tools in my diabetes management. I also use the app before and after any physical activity. Especially cleaning and gardening. Those activities drop my levels fast so I find checking more often and seeing the trend in real-time in the app helps me to know if I should keep going with the activity, or stop and treat.
*The Bolus Calculator calculates the dose of insulin or carbs you need to get back in range. It’s based on your individual settings and you can harm yourself with incorrect or false information. If you are unsure about your parameters, please contact your doctor before you continue. The Bolus Calculator is for your own use only and the setup should not be completed by anyone other than you.
(All answers/opinions shared by the interviewees are their own)
