Be it your work, home or social life, effective management begins with planning. But do you put as much thought into planning for your health?

Managing a health condition like diabetes isn’t simply about looking out for symptoms, or taking action when you face a crisis. It’s about having a plan in place to ensure that your lifestyle aligns with the demands of your health, while allowing you to live fully.

Continuous glucose monitoring is a critical aspect of your diabetes management plan, but what else must it include? Here’s the ABC (and D!) to start off with…

Active lifestyle: Choose to move

Our glucose levels are best behaved when we are on our toes. Staying active is key to managing a condition like diabetes. Make regular exercise a non-negotiable part of your routine. There are several physical activities which can help you control your glucose levels. Aerobic training not only improves your cardiorespiratory fitness, but also reduces your resistance to insulin— a hormone that controls your glucose levels by converting food into energy. Don’t forget to include resistance training, too, in your weekly workout regimen. It helps to increase strength, improve insulin sensitivity and manage lean body mass, and regulate blood pressure.

Similarly, flexibility and balance exercises can help older adults with diabetes improve their joint mobility.

Balanced nutrition: Eat mindfully

It’s no secret that a healthy diet has many benefits, but when it comes to managing diabetes, your meals play a pivotal role in improving your time within range. Ensure that you eat at regular intervals of time. Include foods that lower blood sugar— healthy carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and low-fat dairy products like milk and cheese— in your diet. Fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains also help to enhance digestion and maintain glucose levels.

You can also incorporate scientific nutrition supplements in your diet to lower blood sugar. Scientific nutrition products help you bridge any nutritional gaps, while managing your weight, heart health and glucose levels.

Consistent monitoring: Keep an eye on your glucose levels 

In an age when everything, from current affairs to global weather changes are updated in real time, the traditional method of using glucose meters has become obsolete. Consistently monitoring your blood sugar helps you make more informed, efficient decisions about food intake, activity levels and other lifestyle changes, to manage your health.

Advanced Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems measure glucose levels painlessly through a small sensor applied to your arm, thus empowering you to go about your day without having to worry about your health. They track and store your health data over long periods of time, giving you real-time results. Your CGM device alerts you to fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, so you can make timely changes to your nutrition plan and exercise regimen.

Daily medication: Follow your doctor’s advice

Besides focusing on your nutrition, physical activity and continuous glucose monitoring, don’t forget to take your daily medicines. Proper medication, in the dosage prescribed by your doctor, helps you maintain your sugar levels and produce more insulin in your body.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed with diabetes or have been living with diabetes for years, it is possible to lead a fulfilling life. Each person living with a health condition has his or her own journey, but what these experiences have in common is the need for a sustainable management plan. With some help from MedTech you can create a plan that helps you achieve your health goals and live your best life.