One of my biggest fears as a “person with diabetes”, is causing a scene because my blood sugar has decided to ride the express train downtown into the the core of the earth. Over the years, I’ve gone through ebbs and flows where I develop this really intense anxiety about being “that guy” that does something so disruptive, it causes an entire room to gasp, and stare, and point, inevitably call 9-1-1, and then look at me for the rest of time like I have a weakness. (No one is allowed to know that!!!)

So naturally, when my best friend since childhood got engaged and subsequently planned the most stunning wedding of the century, I panicked a little. The whole shebang had a lot of firsts for me. And firsts for diabetics can be alarming things. Not only was I a first-time bridesmaid, but a first time bridesmaid at a 4 day affair, with people I’d known my entire life, at a traditional, 45+ minute ceremony where I’d have to stand in front of roughly 200 familiar faces while being silent, still, and calm with a radiant smile on my face, watching my glowing friend say her vows to the man of her dreams.

I was a ball of emotions. I went from anxious, to terrified, to pissed off that I couldn’t be anything other than over the moon, to over the moon, then back to anxious.

This wedding was like my own personal Super Bowl. The girl that was getting married is the kind of friend that doesn’t miss a single beat, and that acts cool as a cucumber always, but only because she’s worked so hard to wrinkle out details about things like votive placement years in advance. She has the ability to put on such a seamless production, I’m convinced she and Beyoncé have the same people. Not only that, but I have been close with her and her family for exactly 20 years. This was an event that I have dreamed about with her for equally as long, and there was absolutely no way that I was going to tolerate disruptions, interruptions, or any reason to not be able to keep up with her over the course of her nuptial extravaganza. I was going to get this bitch married with the happiest smile on both of our faces if it was the absolute last thing I did.

Not two days before this entire event popped off, I had the worst low of my diabetes career. I sat at my desk sweating and shaking, thinking “OMG WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS ON SATURDAY, SHE’S GOING TO KILL ME AND I’M GOING TO KILL ME AND THEN I’M GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE SHAME FOREVER.” Of course, like the guardian angel she is, she texted me concerned after seeing my Instagram post about the gnarly low, showing all the compassion in the world about discovering my frightening incident instead of focusing on her table runners and flower arrangements. But in the back of both of our minds we I’m guessing we were thinking the exact same thing, “LOW BLOOD SUGARS ARE NOT INVITED TO THIS WEDDING.”

So, despite the frightening blip on my track record so close to show time, I did my due diligence to ensure that exactly zero people were aware that one of the bridesmaids was concealing an insulin pump under her layers of chiffon. Or that in the purse under the first chair on the right, closest to the church door,  wasn’t just filled with tissues and mascara, it was stocked with Swedish Fish, KIND bars, and extra test strips. Or that while she was practicing not locking her knees standing with a bouquet in her hands, she was racking her brain to recall the direction of the arrow on her Dexcom that she last saw before entering the church.

It took a little bit (ok, fine, a lot a bit) of preparation. But like any wedding, that’s the key to success. So since I know many of you are in the middle or end of wedding season, here’s how I prepped to keep my diabetes on the DL during someone else’s most important day.

1. Make a List, Check It Twice
   Write down all the supplies you typically use in a day. Multiply it by 3, call your Rx, and see how much your insurance will let you get away with buying at once. Then pack it all up strategically so that you can carry an entire day’s worth of supplies around with you in your bags so that no matter what happens, you have back up on-deck.
2. Pretend That A Simple Low Will Literally Stop The World On Its Axis So That If/When It Happens, You’re so OVER Prepared, The World Keeps Spinning Instead
   ALWAYS bring low supplies with you. Everywhere. And not like healthy, good-choice low-supplies. The quick-hit shit: CANDY. JUICE. Whatever works, and works fast. These are the times where I’m simply not willing to sacrifice time and convenience for calories and the long-game. Do whatever it takes. Put some candy in your boyfriend’s suit coat, a friend’s purse, a tote bag in the corner, random spots through the venues you’ll be in (if you think that’s necessary). This way you can detach from all your gadgets and still feel confident that you’re covered in the event that your numbers start to tank.
3. Talk About It
   I had the luxury of being a part of a wedding party that I knew very well. The bride, and two other bridesmaids had been my roomies for many years, my parents, boyfriend, and brother were at the wedding, as well as all of my high school and many college friends. So I essentially had 45 nurses on deck and ready to act. But sometimes, people need a little reminder. Just voicing that “Hey, guys, I’m bringing a bigger bag to the ceremony cuz I need my shugs shit, anyone need to throw their chapstick in?” Breaks the ice and makes it much less sneaky/awkward that you’re schlepping an extra sack of goodies around with you.
4. Wear The Dress Beforehand
   Like I typically do to break in high heels, I did a few dry runs with my brides maid dress. I tried it on with all of my strapless bras and my GirlyGo Garter before the big day to see where my pump was most comfortable, and concealed with the dress. I knew it was going to be a really long day, and if I wasn’t happy with the fit of things, it was going to feel like a really long, frustrating day. This also took a lot of the guessing game out of the actual event because I knew what it was all going to feel like when it all came together.
5. Eat & Drink Water, Especially After Boozing
   Sometimes, being in a wedding can be a bit demanding from a scheduling perspective. But the key to feeling great and having more predictable numbers is CHUGGING EVERY DROP OF WATER YOU FIND, and squeezing in some nutrient-rich, high protein stuff. With all the activity and racing around, plus the false highs caused by adrenaline spikes, you can find yourself in a really weird place if you don’t pay attention. Also, I tend to wake up in the 70’s if I’ve been drinking and go to bed without eating. Now is not the time to sleep through lows, so make sure you eat something, or adjust your night-time basals if you’re worried you’ll dip in your sleep.
6. Pick A Hooch, And Stay With It
   As we’ve recently discovered, a glass or two of white wine seems to mysteriously help lower blood sugar (#Science), but I’ve never been to a wedding where I’ve had only a glass or two of anything. When it comes to boozing at weddings, try to stick to one type of drink. Consistency really helps me when it comes to metabolizing the alcohol, specifically the sugar in the alcohol, and it ESPECIALLY helps me with my hangover the next day. The less switcharoo-ing I do, the better the next day is. I also get bad lows when I’m hungover, and absolutely not one person on this earth has the time or energy to be BOTH of those God awful things.
7. Time your Tests
   When you’re tearing up the dance floor or draining the bar/catching up with old friends, you often forget to check or test. This is when I made the rule for myself that bathroom runs = Dexcom check-ins. This way I’m at least checking in every hour or two, and I don’t have to worry that by being super active or socially distracted I’m not missing a low or a crazy spike.
8. Give Yourself A Break
   A wedding weekend COULD NOT be farther away from reality than really any other event. If your numbers aren’t a steady 112 the whole time, who cares! As long as you’re not feeling sick or your energy levels are shot from combating highs and lows the whole time, it’s really okay! The most important thing is that you’re present, having a good time, and making the dance floor your biatch.

Howdy Ho, Amigos!

For the next 6 weeks, I am trying to raise as much money as possible for Beyond Type 1 in the Revlon Love Is On Million Dollar Challenge. 

What is this challenge?
An online fundraising competition! Over 100 charities will be competing for a big fat check of $1 million from Revlon. These charities are predominately geared towards women’s health in an effort to advance technology and access, and show compassion towards all the ladies out there. The organization that raises the most money by the end of October will receive the grand prize from Revlon.  I am raising money specifically for Beyond Type 1 and their amazing portfolio of awesome organizations.

What is Beyond Type 1?
BT1 is not your average diabetes organization. It’s not a platform to promise a cure or sensationalize what having diabetes is like. It’s an organization that is harvesting an insanely cool community filled with inspiring human beings determined to simultaneously make people with diabetes the coolest on the planet, while also making diabetes disappear forever. I really believe in this organization, and am representing them as a global ambassador. They have a really unique financial structure that allows them to put all funds donated directly towards their portfolio of cutting edge causes they support. Those causes are:

• The Human Trial – Diabetes Documentary currently in production
• The Diabetes Research Institute – The first team of researchers to have successfully transplanted healthy islet cells on the surface of the omentum.
• Nightscout – A foundation created for diabetes data “in the Cloud” that’s accessible to parents with Type 1 children.
• Marjorie’s Fund – A non-profit providing resources and education to diabetics in poor and rural areas 
• Tidepool – An open-sourced non-profict building a secure and comprehensive platform for diabetes data.
• T1D International – Working on a global scale, this organization is dedicated to securing insulin and diabetes supplies for those who can’t afford it.
• Riding On Insulin – An organization that offers action sport camps (such as skiing and snowboarding) to kids and teens with Type 1
• Viacyte – The leader in regenerative medicine, researching pancreatic beta cell replacement therapy.

Do I get free makeup if I donate?
Unfortunately, no (darn.) But at the end of the challenge, I will be sending giveaways to my biggest donors with both Beyond Type 1 and The Sugars swag! I’ll also be doing a full takeover on Sunday, September 18th to boost funds even MORE. So stay tuned.

Ok, fine, I’ll fork over some cash. How do I donate?
Visit my crowd rise page here!

I’m confused as hell, but still want to help. Can I email you with my questions?
Suuuuuuuuure! My email is ihavethesugars@gmail.com. 

Let’s make it rain!

When I first got my CGM about a year ago, I struggled to embrace yet another doodad clinging to my skin to me to keep me alive. I felt so vulnerable, yet so addicted to it, that I slowly devolved into misery. For the next few months, I fell into a little dark hole of self-loathing, panic, and obsessiveness over my numbers. Suddenly I was so exposed to and aware of what had been invisibly going on in my body for the last 11 years without my constant knowledge, that I was completely overwhelmed by the CONTINUOUSNESS of the continuous. I really did have diabetes, and I had had it all along. But after a meltdown on vacation with my boyfriend’s family, I realized that I was letting all of this get in the way of my fundamental ability to be happy or relax. Not only that, but with time I would come to realize that the CGM was the greatest thing that had ever happened to me.

I wasn’t present, I was pouting.

It was time to stop being such an emo little baby. So, I looked myself in the mirror and made a proclamation that I needed to start putting myself first again. That just because I have a higher level of exposure to my diabetes (and responsibility for tiny, expensive devices), I was still me. I still had a lot of shit to do in my life. I still had a lot of goals and aspirations. I still had trips to go on, and friends to party with. There was absolutely no reason why I needed to surrender to this thing as if the fun police had stormed my body, and shut the scene down with a vengeance. And thus, the #MeFirst movement was born.

With this hashtag, I started to raise awareness for the burnout, lack of focus, and unhealthy distance we create between ourselves and ourselves when diabetes gets in the way, and how to tell that ugly energy to fuck off. I even rambled about it on a Podcast with another diabuddy, Craig Stubing, who runs Beta Cell.

But I am not the only person making a conceded effort to live this way. In fact, most people are doing a hell of a lot better job than I am. So, I’ve decided to dedicate Mondays to these people. Diabetic or not. Maybe they have a different chronic illness, or an injury, or have a unique challenge that as people with diabetes, we can relate to on a very intimate level. I want to share their stories, and help spread the message that no matter who you are, or what hand of cards you’ve been dealt, you can’t just mope your way through life. It’s time to start treating yourself like the queen that you are.

Everyone, I’d like you to meet Liz. 

Liz is the person who made me want to commit to a CGM. Actually, her words were, “Don’t walk, run, to your doctor right now, sleep on their doorstep, and first thing in the morning, beg for a Dexcom.” I was like, “K.” And here we are today.

I met Liz at my favorite spin studio in NYC, The Monster Cycle. She is an instructor there, and after class one day, I noticed that the thing clipped to her pants wasn’t her microphone, it was an insulin pump. I nearly choked on my $4 NYC fitness water/fell off my bike simultaneously. As you all know, spotting another diabetic in the wild is a rare, and exhilarating experience. Let alone someone that was being super public about it, and that had just literally twerked to 90’s hip hop in front of a room of 30+ sweaty people.

I turned into a very bashful, blubbering idiot that had no clue how to handle the situation. What do I do with my face? Do I say hello? What are my hands doing right now?

Fast forward 8 months, and now we’re pals. I finally got over my near crippling social anxiety about speaking to a real live person with diabetes, and am so incredibly glad I did. This woman has a hell of a story. She’s been through more than most of us will ever go through, but it almost seems like she was born with the perfect wiring to turn adversity into something to positive, productive, and outwardly inspiring. She’s a firecracker. She’s the hardest worker I’ve ever met. And she is so madly in love with herself that she is the literal perfect human to dedicate my first #MeFirstMonday to.

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Sooooo, Liz, how do you describe yourself to someone you’ve never met?

Small girl, big personality, memorable laugh.  I’ve lived life with a focus on loving as much as possible, taking risks at every opportunity, keeping good health a top priority and using happiness as a filter for every decision. I’m Operations/Marketing exec by day, Cycling instructor by night.  Free time is equal parts fitness and fried chicken.

Overall badass.

(^ This last bit is the most true thing of all time.)

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What do you do for a living? Since, ya know, a girls gotta get that money.
I’m the head of operations and Master Instructor for The Monster Cycle which is a growing Cycling Studio. We’re opening our second location in NYC and then moving outside of the city for the first time in the next few months! I spent the first 15 years of my career in Retail Operations and Experiential Marketing. I’ve always been a fitness instructor on the side. In 2015 I made the decision to quit my comfortable agency executive position to pursue what I am meant to be on this planet for! Helping evangelize and bring fitness experiences to more people.  This fall I’ll begin teaching a Social Commerce class at Parsons to fashion students.

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Ok, welllll, the professional living you’re making is my actual dream life. But is there anything else you do you for fun outside of work?
Luckily I’ve found a way to merge my career with my passion.  When not on the bike I’m taking other fitness classes such as Barry’s Bootcamp, yoga and boxing. But let’s be honest, I do this all to compensate for my other hobby, eating.  I love food so much!  Eating out, cooking, reading about food, you name it!  Other activities that take up my time are spending time with friends and family, travel, art/design and when my vocal cords are not strained due to teaching, you’ll find me on the karaoke mic. This white girl can rap!

(^A girl after my own heart. EATING IS LYYYYFE.)

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You obviously have a lot going on. You live in the most intense city on earth, and you have a very active, high-energy lifestyle. What’s one thing you do for yourself to keep yourself sane in this loony toon world?
Lists, lists, lists.  I have to be able to be highly productive to be able to find time for relaxation.  You will always find me working on my lists to keep organized and in control.

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Okay, now to the juicy questions…

What do you love the most about yourself?
Only one thing? Lol…Fine…

I love my body.  My body has been through a lot.  Broken pancreas, massive hip surgery, removed gallbladder, hemorrhaging vocal cords and recently, a partial mastectomy to remove a tumor from my breasts.  Yet no matter what, it keeps going.

This is part of why fitness is so important to me and what I try to impart in my students. We are building strength on the bike (both physical and mental) to then take into the rest of our lives.  Without my physical and mental strength, it would have been very difficult to get through the challenges my body has experienced let alone the daily demands of life (living in NYC, work travel, etc.).

My goal is to live my best life every day and having a strong body and soul has allowed me to do that.

Damn girl.

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So with all of that in mind, how big of a role does having Type 1 diabetes play in your day to day life?

Recently I had an epiphany as I was trying to explain this to a friend who does not have diabetes. 

I don’t go 10 minutes in a day without thinking about and worrying about my health. It really is a unique aspect to the disease. And it’s very hard for anyone who doesn’t have diabetes to understand that.  Every decision, every move, is put through the diabetes filter. What I eat. What I pack in my bag. Do I need to adjust my basal due to anticipated activities?  Why isn’t the number I’m getting matching with my expectation?  And there is always a baseline of fear that never quite goes away.  I live by myself, and although I’ve never had a severe situation where I couldn’t take care of myself, it’s always in the back of my mind.

Regarding teaching cycling classes, there’s a lot of preparation and equal parts just hoping and wishing the numbers will be where I need them to be when class starts.

My livelihood depends on being able to exercise in front of a crowd which can be daunting when you rely on your blood sugar to be close to perfection to achieve that.

I literally could not function at the level I need to without my Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). Any type 1 diabetic who does NOT have one of these should (1) immediately go get one and (2) switch endocrinologists if their doctor had not yet recommended this as part of their treatment because they clearly are not as cutting edge as they need to be.  I could live without my pump if I had to but I cannot live without my CGM.  And Dexcom is the best!  During classes my monitor is always in front of me so I can keep an eye on both my number and the trending direction.  I play with adjusting down my basal rates before class to come into the workout around 140-150.  For me that’s ideal.  I also try to not have active insulin onboard when I teach, meaning in the mornings I don’t eat anything before class and in the evenings I try to eat at least 3 hours before so my bolus has already run its course.  I always keep pineapple aloe juice with me in class.  I find that this will combat a low sugar but without the spiking that occurs with other types of juice.

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Keeping diabetes top of mind with such a demanding fitness schedule can be totally exhausting. What do you do to keep a healthy relationship with yourself and your diabetes when things start to get a lil’ cray cray?

It’s like any long-term relationship. Sometimes we have our good days and sometimes it’s bad. Sometimes I get angry at it and just wish I could have some alone time. But I also recognize the character it has built within me and the attributes it has developed. 

(^Always finding the lesson in the mess. Preach, sister.)

I am incredibly responsible and disciplined which has served me well in other aspects of my life.

Health is my number one priority and has led me to create a lifestyle that will extend my time on this planet and benefit my overall quality of life. I acknowledge that it’s ok to at times have a bit of a pity party for yourself but then I’m provided perspective.

My mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 54, and lived just over a year.  I am grateful and lucky for every day spent healthy. 

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You’re an insanely tough cookie and have been through a serious range of challenges. So if you could impart your wisdom on a newly diagnosed person, what is ONE piece of advice you’d give about punching diabetes in the face, what would it be? 

Accept and adjust versus rebel.  You don’t have a choice, make the best of it.

And go to diabetes camp.  Whether you are a child or an adult.  Soon after my diagnosis I went to diabetes camp as a counselor in training.  I can’t recommend it strongly enough!  Type 1 is not only a physical disease, but it is so mental and emotional.  Having a community of people who understand and can relate to your experiences and share their methods and tactics is truly life-changing.  Especially for children.  Diabetic parents are SO overprotective!  Rightly so, but these kids need a break from that in a safe environment.  It also helps kids learn how to be physical.  That’s one of the great irony I see with type 1.  Parents are afraid to let their kids by physical and participate in sports and fitness when truly it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself and your health!

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I’ve only known Liz for about a year, but her twerking technique, tenacity, honesty, and willingness to reach out to me when she noticed I, too, had a lil’ ole’ Minimed tucked into my Luluemons has made a massive impact on me. Without her, I wouldn’t have even discovered what #MeFirst even is! You are a fuckin’ trooper, Liz, and thank you for being the first #MeFirst Monday rep. Never stop being so fierce, and as you would say, “HELL YEAH.”

Disclaimer: This post might skeeve you out. If you’re one of those people, than you should probably be the first to read it because it’s 2016 and we’re a progressive society and talking about the one thing that privately unites almost every woman around the world every 20-some odd days is supes, supes importante. It’s not a faux paux. It’s not “disgusting”. It’s science.

I am not a medical professional. But I am an expert in lady problems, that’s for damn sure. And on this month’s edition of, “Here, I got you a present! It’s made of blood and pain and suffering! Hope you like it!”, I made a huge discovery: my period dramatically effects my blood sugars. I got my period how many years ago? And diabetes how many years ago? I just made this connection. Unlike some of the more obvious trends (ie. adrenaline spikes), this is one of those patterns that might not be immediately obvious to every gal out there. It could possibly have something to do with the fact that, well, when your insides feel like they’re on fire and exploding and punching you simultaneously all while you’re trying not to ruin your underwear, you’re a little preoccupied.

But ladies, let me tell you. Hormones are the cheekiest little bastards when it comes to blood sugars. Yes, men have hormones too, blah blah blah, but this specific experience is totally unique to not just women as a sex, but every woman individually. For some, their time of the month drives their sugars sky high in a frustrating way, only adding to their fatigue, nausea, and (totally excusable) bitchiness. For many of us, we only need 70-80% of the insulin we typically inject to stay in a safe range. There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than waking up 60, looking at my Dex, and realizing that I’ve been hovering there for hours. Luckily, I woke up to this trend this month, so last night I took a stab at adjusting my basal rates*. For my trial run, I set a 7-hour temp basal just get through the night worry-free. It ended up working like a charm, and it got me thinking: this is something we all need to talk about more openly with each other.

I know that chatting about period stuff outside of your safe circle of besties and confidants can be uncomfortable. But it’s definitely something worth bringing up with your doctor if you think your Auntie Flow is impacting your blood sugar.

Stress, anxiety, nervousness, lack of sleep, and allllll the other hormonal fluctuations can have a big impact on our insulin resistance at any given time. Be aware of change. Don’t get down on yourself. Don’t fight your body on its natural ebbs and flows. And if it’s bothering you, and taking away from your day to day, speak up!

 
*IMPORTANT: do NOT adjust your basal rates without consulting your doctor first, or learning how to do it with their supervision. ‘Tis not something to mess with if you’ve never done it before. I’ve had 6 years of practice and know my insulin resistance very well. 

 

 

Welp, here it is: July 4th. America’s birthday, the kickoff to summer, the first time a lot of people dust of the ol’ bikini and hope for the best, and for most people, a long weekend filled with memory-making and lobster roll chowing. 

This time of year is a tough one for diabetics. There is a pretty big wardrobe transition that requires us to reconfigure all of our sites and pump hiding locations. There are crazy hot temperatures that threaten to spoil our insulin (and our bank accounts), and we might act like we know, but no one seems to have a clue how many carbs are ACTUALLY in a margarita. #TheEternalMystery

Unfortunately for us, summer can be a bit of a bummer (Oh shit! That rhymed!) In a way, we’re kind of forced to be more public about having diabetes. Or at least that’s how I feel, anyway. I’m more fragile in the summer, and that often requires me to be more vocal about my needs and my limitations. It drives me bonkers to be needier than normal, but that’s just the way the sugar-free cookie has crumbled, my friends.

For example, last month my boyfriend and I went on an insanely INSANELY epic road trip out West, and when we were hiking in Moab, UT (where it’s 100+ degrees everyday), I literally cried because I was so nervous my insulin would go bad if we left it in the car too long. I was so angry that I couldn’t just bust out of the car and go. I felt so guilty for holding him back, that my emotions got the best of me. But at this point, Sean knows the drill, and after a quick compromise, a very nice man at a very clean gas station sold me several cheap bags of ice to heal my worry-wounds. The insulin did not go bad, and neither did my trip. 

It’s frustrating! It’s really fucking frustrating. I’m a summer baby, and July is when my body really wants to just be free and half-naked, running around shoeless like I’m totally limitless. But now, I have to think and prepare more. I lose stuff more easily. I am more forgetful. And overall, that annoys the hell out of me. Everybody else seems to be having a grand old time, why can’t I? The FOMO on freedom is soooooo real. 

But what is our alternative? Sit inside all summer and watch reruns of the Bachelor while everyone else is taking selfies on the beach? Yeah…no. There is so much out there for us to go DO in the summer. And just because we need to take it a little slower at times, doesn’t mean we get to mope around and wallow in a misery that’s as fabricated a Humolog. 

Below are some things that have helped make my last 11 diabetic summers much easier. Hopefully they find them as refreshing as a leaf of mint in your cocktail. 

Step 1: Treat yoself to some high quality hydration. I don’t if it’s because I’m from Maine, or what. But when I get really, really hot, I panic. And a dehydrated Libby is a really nasty Libby. So I always always keep water on me. S’well makes an amazing water bottle that is so frickin’ adorable I wanna kiss it, and it keeps your liquids cool as a cucumber for a million hours. Also…if your sugars tend to run high in heat, you’ll dehydrate faster than anyone else. Do your due diligence, and drink up!

Step 2: Suit up according to YOUR body. I’ve never liked myself in a bathing suit. Ever. I always feel so floppy and squishy and strange. Add the fact that I now have to find a place to clip my pump and tuck away tubing and forget about it. It’s a lost cause. But I’ve always been a firm believer that the best dressed out there are the gals that know their bodies, and respect their shape. Also, if you’re feeling self conscious about your gadgets, one pieces are so in right now. Floppy tatas spilling out of triangle tops are not. Do what you need to do to feel supported, and like your pump isn’t going to fly off because you were wearing dental floss for a bottom. Nordstrom and Target always has great suits, and I heard a rumor this could be your last chance for a Victoria’s Secret suit (my personal fav because they make big tops for big ladies like me!

Step 3: Pack with purpose. Nothing feels better than having the right size bag for the right size adventure. Invest in a good weekender and a good kit for your pump, cgm, and miscellaneous supplies. To be honest, I never even really unpack my travel diabetes bag – I just do an inventory check and update before every trip. This way, I’m not halfway to Timbuktu only to have one of those “OHHHHHH FU******** BABE WE GOTTA TURN AROUND” moments. I am absolutely OBSESSED OBSESSED with my Bric’s carry-on, my L.L.Bean weekender, and my Baggu travel bag.

Step 4: Walk it out. One summer in college, I was living and interning in London and my blood sugars were bad. I did so much walking all over the UK and Paris, that I had blisters all over my feet from my cheapo sandals. Because my sugars were a mess and I had dinged my feet up badly, I got some really nasty infections that were SO PAINFUL. After that experience I was like, “NEVER AGAIN”, and now that I live in NYC I’m even more careful about what I expose my tootsies to. Converse and Birkenstocks are your best friends this summer. Get rid of the gladiator sandals, and get on board with the Birks, baby.

Step 5: Keep it cool. Frio insulin ice packs are a life saver and I’m an idiot for not using them as religiously as I should. Go buy 10 right now. I mean it. I’m gonna do it, too.

Alrighty, that’s all, folks. Enjoy your 4th of July. Don’t drink too many Americas (aka Budweisers, duh) or play with fireworks near your face or small children. TEST YOUR BLOOD SUGAR OFTEN. And damnit, remember…#MeFirst. It is Independence Day, after all. This (and every) summer should be about you, and what YOU want to do as a happy, healthy, fun-loving human.

Okay, I’m gonna go play with my family on a boat now. Love you all! Happy 4th of July! XO XO!

A few months ago, I Internet-met LA video and radio guy, Craig Stubing. This is Craig’s bitmoji and I think it describes him (or what I know of him) to a T.

Craig Stubing also has type 1 diabetes (he’s one of those guys who never calls himself a diabetic, he has type 1, he isn’t a type 1. ughhhh. what a stickler!)

Anywho, Craig has a podcast called Beta Cell where he chats with other diabetics PEOPLE WITH DIABETES, and they share their stories. I love podcasts. And I love hearing myself talk. So naturally, we chatted about getting The SugaSugs on there! 

Here I am with a microphone. Which was the most fun toy I’ve ever had in my possession. Like, ever. The project has been a labor of love; mostly on his part because all I had to do was talk (for 2 hours.) I sincerely appreciate you, Craig, for cutting out about 40% of the f’bombs I irrationally dropped while recording, and for making sure I am speak at the very least, semi-coherent English throughout the episode.

So without further ado, check out the Pod! And as always, don’t hesitate to reach out, ask questions, or scold me for saying “like” too many times!

Also be sure to check out Beta Cell on:

• Twitter
• Instagram
• & Facebook
  

 

 

My Dexcom high-glucose alarm just went off and everyone around me checked their phones for an Amber Alert.

Happy Monday.