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Frequently Asked Questions

Continuous Glucose Monitors are FSA/HSA Eligible

  • Why should I care about my metabolic health if I'm young, active, and don't have diabetes or weight issues?
    Metabolic health is the foundation of your overall wellbeing, affecting everything from your energy levels and mood to your long-term disease risk—regardless of your current age, weight, or fitness level. Even if you're young and appear healthy, poor metabolic function can manifest as afternoon energy crashes, difficulty concentrating, poor sleep quality, frequent cravings, or mood swings. These seemingly minor issues are often early warning signs that your body isn't efficiently processing nutrients and managing blood sugar. Taking care of your metabolic health now is an investment in your future self. Research shows that metabolic dysfunction often begins decades before obvious symptoms appear. By optimizing your metabolic health in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, you're preventing the gradual decline that leads to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cognitive decline, and accelerated aging later in life. Think of it as preventive maintenance for your body's engine. Additionally, good metabolic health enhances your current performance—whether that's excelling at work, maintaining consistent energy for workouts, or simply feeling your best every day. The habits and insights you develop now will serve you for life, making healthy choices feel natural rather than restrictive.
  • I'm over 50 and have been told my blood work is "normal" but I don't feel great. How can focusing on metabolic health help me?
    "Normal" lab values often mask suboptimal metabolic function that can significantly impact how you feel day-to-day. Standard blood tests typically only flag severe dysfunction, missing the subtle but important changes that occur with aging and lifestyle factors. Many people over 50 experience what they accept as "normal aging"—reduced energy, weight gain around the midsection, brain fog, poor sleep, or decreased muscle mass—when these symptoms are actually signs of declining metabolic health that can be improved. Focusing on metabolic health can help you reclaim your vitality and potentially reverse many age-related changes you thought were inevitable. By optimizing how your body processes food, manages blood sugar, and responds to stress, you can experience more stable energy throughout the day, improved sleep quality, better mood regulation, and enhanced cognitive function. Many of my clients over 50 report feeling better than they did in their 40s once they address their metabolic health. The strategies we develop together—personalized nutrition, appropriate exercise, stress management, and sleep optimization—can help you maintain independence, strength, and mental clarity as you age. It's never too late to invest in your metabolic health, and the improvements often happen more quickly than people expect.
  • I have a demanding career and family responsibilities. How can I realistically improve my metabolic health with such a busy lifestyle?
    The beauty of focusing on metabolic health is that small, strategic changes can yield significant results, even with a packed schedule. In fact, improving your metabolic health will likely give you more energy and mental clarity to handle your demanding lifestyle more effectively. We start by identifying the highest-impact changes that fit seamlessly into your existing routine—this might be adjusting meal timing, choosing different snacks, or incorporating brief movement breaks during your workday. Using a CGM provides immediate feedback that helps you make efficient decisions without guesswork or time-consuming meal planning. You'll quickly learn which foods give you sustained energy versus those that cause crashes, how to time your meals around meetings and family obligations, and simple strategies to manage stress-induced glucose spikes. Many busy professionals find that optimizing their metabolic health actually saves time by reducing the need for multiple coffee breaks, eliminating afternoon energy slumps, and improving sleep quality so they wake up more refreshed. We'll work together to create systems that work with your schedule, not against it. The goal is to make metabolic health feel like a natural part of your routine rather than another item on your to-do list. Once you experience the increased energy and mental clarity that comes with stable blood sugar, you'll find it easier to maintain these habits because they genuinely improve your daily performance and quality of life.
  • How does a continuous glucose monitor help with weight loss on a low-carb diet?
    A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) provides real-time feedback on how different foods affect your blood sugar levels, making it an invaluable tool for optimizing your low-carb diet. When you eat carbohydrates, your glucose levels spike, triggering insulin release that promotes fat storage. By wearing a CGM, you can identify which foods cause the smallest glucose responses and tailor your meals accordingly. The CGM helps you discover your personal carbohydrate tolerance—some people can handle certain vegetables or fruits without significant glucose spikes, while others may need to be more restrictive. This personalized data removes the guesswork from low-carb eating and helps you stay in ketosis more consistently. You'll also learn how factors like stress, sleep, and meal timing affect your glucose levels, allowing you to make informed adjustments that support your weight loss goals. Start low carb and get your CGM today.
  • Can I do strength training while following intermittent fasting, and how will the CGM help monitor this?
    Yes, strength training is not only compatible with intermittent fasting but can actually enhance your weight loss results when done properly. Many people successfully train in a fasted state, which can improve fat oxidation and insulin sensitivity. However, the timing and intensity of your workouts may need adjustment based on your individual response. Your CGM will be crucial in monitoring how your body responds to fasted training. Some people experience stable glucose levels during fasted workouts, while others may see small rises due to stress hormones like cortisol releasing stored glucose. The CGM data helps you determine the optimal timing for your workouts within your eating window. If you notice glucose instability or feel weak during fasted training, you might benefit from scheduling strength sessions closer to your eating periods. The monitor also helps you understand how your muscles utilize glucose during recovery, informing decisions about post-workout nutrition timing and macronutrient composition. For a personalized plan fit best to you, chat with one of our health coaches.
  • What should I expect during my first month of combining CGM monitoring with low-carb eating and intermittent fasting?
    During your first month, expect a learning curve as you discover your body's unique patterns and responses. In the first week, you may notice significant glucose variability as your body adapts to lower carbohydrate intake and new eating patterns. The CGM will likely reveal unexpected glucose spikes from foods you thought were "safe," helping you refine your food choices quickly. Most people see their average glucose levels stabilize and decrease within 2-3 weeks as metabolic flexibility improves. You may experience some initial fatigue or irritability as your body adapts to using fat for fuel, but the CGM data will show you're on the right track as glucose levels become more stable throughout the day. By week 3-4, you should notice more predictable patterns: steady glucose during fasting periods, minimal spikes after meals, and stable levels during exercise. This is also when many people report improved energy, better sleep, and initial weight loss. The CGM data during this period establishes your baseline patterns, which we'll use to fine-tune your protocol for continued success. For an optimal plan fit best to your metabolic health goals, reach out to our health coaches.
  • What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)?
    A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a small, wearable medical device that tracks your blood glucose levels throughout the day and night. Unlike traditional blood glucose meters that require finger pricks for individual readings, a CGM provides real-time glucose data every few minutes, giving you a complete picture of your glucose patterns and trends. The device consists of a tiny sensor that's inserted just under your skin, typically on your arm or abdomen. This sensor measures glucose levels in your interstitial fluid (the fluid between your cells) and wirelessly transmits this information to a receiver, smartphone app, or other display device. CGMs are particularly valuable for people with diabetes as they can alert you to dangerous highs and lows, help you understand how food, exercise, stress, and medications affect your glucose levels, and provide data to help you and your healthcare team make informed treatment decisions. Purchase a CGM today.
  • How do I use a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)?
    Using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) involves several simple steps, though the exact process may vary slightly depending on the specific device model. First, you'll apply the sensor using the provided applicator, which quickly and easily inserts the tiny sensor filament under your skin. Most people find this process virtually painless, similar to a quick pinch. Once applied, the sensor needs a brief warm-up period (typically 1-2 hours) before it begins providing accurate readings. You'll then pair the sensor with your smartphone using the manufacturer's app or connect it to a dedicated receiver device. Throughout the day, you can check your current glucose level, view trends and patterns, and receive alerts for high or low glucose levels. Most CGM sensors are designed to stay on for 10-14 days, depending on the model, and are water-resistant so you can shower, swim, and exercise normally. It's important to calibrate the device as recommended by the manufacturer and to continue checking with traditional finger stick tests when making treatment decisions, especially if you're experiencing symptoms that don't match your CGM readings.
  • What brand Continuous Glucose Monitor do you use?
    Yes, our practice proudly partners with Dexcom and specializes in the Dexcom Stelos . We provide comprehensive support for Dexcom Stelos users, including initial setup consultations, ongoing monitoring and data interpretation, prescription management, and regular follow-up appointments to optimize your weight management based on your CGM data. Our team is extensively trained on the Dexcom Stelos platform and can help you understand your glucose patterns, adjust your treatment plan based on CGM insights, and troubleshoot any usage questions you may have. We work directly with Dexcom to ensure you receive the most current devices and supplies, and we can assist with insurance authorization and coverage questions related to your CGM prescription. Important Note: For any technical device issues, malfunctions, or warranty concerns related to your Dexcom Stelos CGM, please contact Dexcom directly at their customer support line. While we provide clinical support and data interpretation, Dexcom's technical support team is best equipped to handle device-specific troubleshooting, replacement requests, and technical questions about the hardware itself.
  • What does 1-on-1 CGM coaching include, and how do you help me create a personalized nutrition and workout plan?
    Our 1-on-1 CGM coaching is a comprehensive program that transforms your continuous glucose monitor from a simple tracking device into a powerful tool for metabolic optimization. During our initial consultation, we'll review your health goals, current diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle factors to establish your baseline. I'll teach you how to properly read and interpret your CGM data, identifying patterns that reveal how your body uniquely responds to different foods, meal timing, and physical activities. Together, we'll analyze your glucose responses to create a personalized nutrition plan that works specifically for your metabolism. This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach—we'll discover which foods keep your glucose stable, optimal meal timing for your schedule, and portion sizes that support your goals. For your workout plan, we'll use your CGM data to determine the best times to exercise, whether you respond better to fasted or fed training, and how different types of exercise affect your metabolic health. Throughout the process, I provide ongoing support, weekly data reviews, and plan adjustments based on your real-world results and changing needs.
  • How do you help me understand the connection between stress, sleep, and my blood sugar patterns?
    One of the most eye-opening aspects of CGM coaching is discovering how non-food factors dramatically impact your metabolic health. I'll teach you to identify the subtle but significant ways that stress and sleep quality show up in your glucose data. Poor sleep often causes elevated morning glucose levels and increased insulin resistance throughout the day, while chronic stress can trigger glucose spikes even when you haven't eaten anything. During our sessions, we'll correlate your CGM readings with your sleep quality, stress levels, work schedules, and life events to reveal these hidden patterns. I'll show you how to use your phone's sleep tracking or a simple stress journal alongside your CGM data to build a complete picture of your metabolic health. We'll then develop practical strategies to optimize both—this might include stress management techniques, sleep hygiene improvements, or timing adjustments for meals and exercise based on your stress and sleep patterns. Many clients are amazed to discover that managing their stress and sleep has as much impact on their glucose stability as changing their diet.
  • What makes your CGM coaching different from just wearing a monitor on my own or following generic advice online?
    While wearing a CGM provides valuable data, interpreting that data correctly and turning it into actionable strategies requires expertise and personalization that you simply can't get from generic online advice or going it alone. I bring years of experience in metabolic health and have worked with hundreds of clients to understand the nuances of CGM data interpretation. What looks like a "bad" glucose response might actually be normal for your unique physiology, or what seems insignificant could be the key to unlocking better health. The real value lies in the personalized analysis and ongoing support. I help you avoid common mistakes like overreacting to normal glucose fluctuations or missing important patterns in your data. Generic advice might tell you to avoid all high-glycemic foods, but through our work together, you might discover that you handle certain carbs perfectly fine at specific times or in certain combinations. I also provide accountability and troubleshooting when real life gets in the way—helping you navigate holidays, travel, illness, or stressful periods while maintaining your metabolic health goals. The combination of expert interpretation, personalized strategy development, and ongoing support creates lasting behavior change that extends far beyond the time you wear your CGM.
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