I Am a Healthy 25 Year Old, Here is Why I Put on a CGM...To Be My Best Self

Hey all-

So, here's the thing: I'm obsessed, (with lots of things), but with feeling and being my best each day. If you're anything like me, you’re always looking for ways to optimize your health, energy, and overall vibe. And that’s why I decided to wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) for two weeks – even though, yes, I’m an extremely healthy 25-year-old athlete who has never been diagnosed with any sort of physical illness or blood sugar issue. (I am blessed).

Now, I know what you're asking, “why would someone as healthy as you need one?” And that is a valid question. I asked myself that same question after spending $99 for a pack of two CGMs. BUT hear me out! I was SUPER curious to learn more about how my body reacts to food, exercise, and even stress. HA and I am stressed most days. Think of it as wearing a health tracker but better – tracking the tiniest fluctuations in blood sugar and getting an inside peek into how my body works.

Why does a healthy 25 year-old need to wear a CGM?

My Blood Sugar Baseline: The Ultimate Self-Awareness Hack

First off, I am not a doctor or medical researcher or anything science-based. In fact, I am way more of a theory intellectual if we are discussing our preferred subject expertise. But I also know that this was about learning more about my physical self. I wanted to know what my baseline blood sugar levels were. I mean, it’s easy to assume that if you're eating healthy and exercising, everything’s fine – but your blood sugar can fluctuate in ways that aren’t obvious until you see the data. I wasn't really being my best self because I didn't know what I was missing.

I just had a complete blood panel done with my primary care doctor and she said all my numbers were in great shape AND my fasting glucose level was in a healthy range. And so what I didn't see from this blood panel, was how fasting, certain foods, that chocolate chip cookie dough or even morning toast was affecting me, like really affecting me on a molecular level.

When I first started wearing the CGM, I had no idea what to expect. But wow, seeing my blood sugar data in real-time was eye-opening. Even though my overall numbers were healthy, the monitor showed how they changed based on what I ate, when I ate, and what kind of workouts I did. PLUS how my daily fasting caused spikes after foods I THOUGHT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HEALTHY FOR ME...Like who knew certain types of fruits really aren't that good for you because of their sugar levels...

The order in which you eat your food ACTUALLY makes a difference. This is why they bring the salad before the meal and the dessert after it...

The Impact of Food Choices 🍔 vs. 🍓

Okay, let’s talk about food, because this was a huge game-changer. I am a foodie. I LOVE FOOD. Different types of food, cuisines, places, styles, all of it. Before the CGM, I thought I was doing great with my meals. I would snack on fruit, have salads, and grab a smoothie here and there. But guess what? I was getting sneaky blood sugar spikes after some of those “healthy” snacks.

For example, I noticed that eating a fruit-only snack (like green grapes) on its own caused my blood sugar to spike pretty high. But if I paired that apple with a handful of almonds? The spike was much less dramatic. Same thing with my smoothies – adding protein to balance out the sugars helped keep my blood sugar more stable throughout the day.

Takeaway: If you’re eating fruit or carbs, try adding a healthy fat or protein to the mix!

It’s all about balance. And to be your best self, moderation has a place.

As dad would say, everything in moderation.

When carbs are absorbed into the blood, they become glucose, so like yeah, that piece of bread and those crackers can lowkey do the same thing, if not worse, to your blood sugar levels.

Timing is Everything: Why My Energy Levels Fluctuate

Energy. My theory intellectual self wants to go on a tangent about that other type of spiritual energy that dictates our entire lives, but I will spare you for this read.

I'm talking about that molecular energy from food and nutrients. I’ve always been pretty “go-go-go,” but I noticed something interesting during my CGM experiment. There were certain times of the day (like mid-afternoon) when I’d feel totally drained, no matter how much coffee I had. My blood sugar would take a dive, and I’d be left feeling sluggish.

But when I looked closer, I realized that eating too much earlier in the day could set me up for that crash. If I ate a big meal or too many carbs without balancing them with protein or fat, my blood sugar would rise, then dip. This left me feeling tired and foggy a few hours later.

Takeaway: Timing matters! Now, I make sure to eat smaller, balanced meals throughout the day to keep my blood sugar (and energy) levels steady.

Eat right, stay active, become a healthier you.

Exercise: The Best Way to Stabilize Blood Sugar

We can’t forget about the workouts! I’ve always been a fan of staying active, but I didn’t realize how much different types of exercise can impact blood sugar levels. Turns out, when I did intense HIIT sessions or strength training, my blood sugar would drop after the workout – which felt awesome and gave me that post-workout high.

But yoga or a more chill walk? Those didn’t have as much of an impact, and I would stay pretty steady.

Takeaway: Different workouts = different effects on blood sugar! So if you’re feeling sluggish, a quick HIIT workout or strength training could be your secret weapon. Plus, you are one step closer to that toned body you are hoping for...It's gonna take more than one workout for that BTW.

Creating Better Daily Habits Based on Data

Here’s the kicker: using a CGM has totally helped me build even better habits. I can literally see how my choices affect my body and energy, which makes me way more intentional about what I do and when.

For example:

• Balanced meals: I make sure to always include protein and healthy fats, especially when I’m eating carbs or fruit.

• Exercise routine: I now plan my workouts according to my blood sugar trends, making sure I’m optimizing my energy for my most intense workouts.

• Mindful eating: I pay more attention to how I eat (slowly, mindfully) rather than just grabbing whatever is easiest. This helps keep my blood sugar levels more balanced and prevents spikes. The book, Healing and Recovery by Dr. David Hawkins talks about weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight in his book - most of his discoveries are associated with what you hold in your mind about weight, food, and eating.

Honestly, the CGM has made me feel even more in tune with my body and has given me the ultimate hack for supercharging my health!

Final Thoughts: Is the CGM Worth It?

So, would I recommend wearing a CGM? If you’re curious about your body’s unique needs, YES! It’s been such a fun (and informative!) journey, and I feel like I now have even more control over my health. You don’t have to be diabetic to get insights from this technology – it’s just about understanding your body better and making small adjustments for big results!

Y'all, the CGM connects to your phone via bluetooth. You just download the app, connect it, and you get real-time, 24/7 blood sugar data reads. It even alerts you if you go into a blood sugar spike. Easy, because I know you are already glued to your phone watching random TikTok videos on cats. So might as well make it productive.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into your health and wellness routine, I definitely recommend trying it out. My first recommendation would be working with a health coach and CGM expert like CGM Doctor. You’ll be shocked at what you can learn! If you thought you were at your best, take one more step and you will see your best is yet to come.

Your next highest potential (best) is yet to come!

Have you ever tried a CGM? Or are you curious to try it out? Happy to answer any of your questions. Stay healthy, stay determined, and stay your beautiful, unique self!

With care & respect,

xx

Nani