Navigating Type 1 diabetes outside of our regular routine is really challenging for many of us. In honor of Risely’s Founder Lauren Bongiorno recently celebrating her bachelorette weekend, we’re sharing some tips about how to enjoy yourself during life’s big moments while still managing your blood sugars and feeling good.
Whether you are celebrating at your bachelorette party or you are there celebrating a close friend, there are a few things you can do to make the weekend more enjoyable. Because let’s face it, when our numbers are in range, we FEEL better, and when we FEEL better, we can be more present for the experiences and people around us.
When Lauren got back from her bachelorette weekend away in Florida, we asked her for the top tips that allowed her to stay in range over 65% of the weekend. Here’s what she shared:
- Recognize the main factors that are going to impact your management, such as:
- Alcohol
- Spontaneity and lack of routine
- Eating more/different foods
- Eating late at night
- Going to sleep late and less sleep overall
- Dancing
- Heat
- Spending time in a pool/hot tub/ beach
Focus on how these factors have impacted not only your insulin sensitivity and resistance in the past, but also your ability to stay in a more proactive state than a reactive state. For example, what patterns do you notice with your blood sugars when you are drinking alcohol? How do you normally handle giving insulin for a meal when you are up eating food late versus having an earlier dinner? The key here is to really understand your patterns and then see how you can get ahead.
- Bring out ALL the tools in your toolbox.
If you’re on an insulin pump, think about how you can use temp basals and extended bolus or even injections to help you manage your insulin needs while eating, drinking, dancing, staying up late, etc. If you’re on MDI, the same thing goes. Remember that it’s not just about how much insulin to give, but when to give it.
- Add anchors into the weekend.
There’s a difference between having rituals to ground you and clinging to a rigid routine. Sometimes if we are too rigid in our routines, it doesn’t allow us to really go with the flow of a group of people and enjoy spontaneity. When we have certain habits that can act as anchors wherever we go,however, we create a nice balance for ourselves.
What elements of your usual routine could you bring with you? Some ideas to consider:
- Some form of intentional movement at the start of the day
- Drinking warm lemon water when you wake up
- Going for a walk to move your body
- 5 minutes of deep breathing
- Incorporating some sort of vegetables with your meals/snacks
- Find your sweet spot of blood sugar awareness.
Checking your blood sugar every 5 minutes will probably feel stressful… AND you don’t want to let your numbers get so up and down that you don’t feel well enough to enjoy yourself. How can you let it be in the background while also still a priority? Think about:
- Carrying extra supplies with you at all times in case something goes wrong
- Tuning into your number 2 hours after eating to see where you’re at
- Being okay with having a lower time in range, as long as you aren’t completely flipping to the other side
All in all, know that it is possible to enjoy a fun weekend away with your friends without feeling like all the highs and lows are detracting from the experience. And remember, the goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to do your best and lean into your patterns with curiosity over judgement.
If you want to hear about Risely founder Lauren Bongiorno’s bachelorette weekend (blood sugars & beyond), you can head to episode 14 of the Reclaim your Rise Podcast
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