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How to set better Type 1 Diabetes goals

Featured Podcast Episode
July 16, 2024

Have you ever set a goal like “get better control of my blood sugars”? Maybe you’ve set your sights on lowering your A1C in 3 months or increasing your time in range. 

But, if you’re like many of the people we work with in coaching, you start off strong but not too soon after setting that goal, you start to lose momentum. Then you tell yourself, “let me try again harder next week…” because when we see that we aren’t succeeding, our natural inclination is to think we are not pushing hard enough or not disciplined enough. 

So, let’s get one thing straight: It's not that the goal isn't a great goal and it's not that you’re not capable of reaching this goal. It’s the goal setting process that isn’t serving you. And it’s not just you… (hence why so many New Year’s resolutions fail.)

If you’re feeling frustrated with yourself for not reaching your goals or discouraged about your lack of progress, these are the top 3 things to keep in mind. 

1. Create a vision

A goal-setting process that actually supports real change is the opposite of what many of us have learned. Typically, we think we can change ourselves by following a plan like this: 

1. Set goal

2. Change habits to support the goal

3. Our new habits will inform our future decision making

4. Our new decisions will align with our intentions

5. Our new intentions will turn us into the person we want to be

The truth is, most of us fall off somewhere between steps 2 and 3. 

So here’s the secret: Flip this process upside down.

This is what has led to the greatest transformations for our coaches, our clients, and for many members of this community. We call it looking from the “Risely lens,” because it's a different way of looking at who you want to be, and how you need to operate to get there more easily.    

When we create a vision of who we are becoming, true transformation is possible. Start with the big picture, the deeply rooted reason you want to change and who you want to become. Then, work through your intentions with this clear vision as the purpose, and then decide how you will get there. Determine the habits that you need to build along the way and then set your goals based on what will lock those habits into place. 

2. Hold the vision⁣

Focus on how you want to feel and how it’s different than what you’re currently experiencing.⁣ You don’t have to worry about the details... how it’s going to happen⁣ or if it’s possible or not.⁣ Practice believing that you are already where you want to be and see how your actions naturally align with those thoughts. 

You might be surprised at the shifts that can happen when you dedicate time each day to tapping into your vision. 

This might look like: 

  • Journaling
  • Conversation
  • Visual reminders like sticky notes on the fridge or your phone screen background 

3. Add in accountability 

One study on goal setting found that participants who sent weekly updates to a friend reported 76% achievement compared to 35% percent of those who kept their goals to themselves, without writing them down.

Working with a health coach is one way to access support and accountability specific to your goals. A coach helps you develop tools and strategies to become aware of your blocks and patterns, so that you can move forward towards the vision you have of your highest self. Coaches follow a client-centered process to develop a personalized plan AND support you in executing that plan.

Because the truth is, if you’ve been trying for a while to make a change in your diabetes management and you haven’t been able to do so on your own yet… you probably aren’t going to reach your goals by yourself. (Using the Diabetic Health Journal for 4 weeks is a great exercise for determining if you need more accountability.)

If you are someone who is often setting goals around your health or your diabetes, only to struggle at achieving them, you are not alone. Maybe it seems like there is only one way to get where you want to be and the fact that it’s not working for you has left you feeling hopeless. Or maybe you feel lost from a lack of support and direction.

These are the most common reasons that people with T1D turn to our programs. Our distinctive approach has helped thousands of T1Ds change their relationship with diabetes.

Risely’s coaching methodology is rooted in behavior change, published research, and our own internal client data collection. Our mission is to fill the gaps in education, accountability, mindset, and relatability that most T1Ds experience outside their endo’s office, and empower you to reach your limitless potential with diabetes. 

In our programs, especially the Decide and Conquer Bootcamp group coaching experience, we hold intentional space for you to make diabetes a priority. Our coaches guide you with tools and resources to transform your relationship with T1D - numbers and beyond. 

Instead of prescribing a specific diet or lifestyle plan, we help you determine sustainable habits that make you feel your best. Your body, your rules. And rather than providing blanket responses or generalized action plans, we help you to challenge what you’ve been told before so that together we can look deeper at what’s working and what’s not. 

Yes, we want to help you improve your blood sugars, but it’s so much more than that. Our coaching programs are also about helping you discover who you can be when diabetes isn’t in the way.

Curious to learn more about Risely coaching? Listen to Episode 9 of the Reclaim Your Rise podcast or email us hello@riselyhealth.com.