The Power of Blood Glucose Monitoring: Why Tracking Matters
- ahwcweb
- Aug 20
- 6 min read
Maria lived a vibrant life juggling her career as a music teacher, weekend camping trips and hikes with her dog, and impromptu dance sessions in her kitchen. But life seemed to abruptly change when she was suddenly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 42. She struggled with fatigue, unpredictable blood sugar spikes, and the anxiety of not knowing what was going on inside her body. Her doctor recommended continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Maria agreed to give it a try.
The first few weeks were eye-opening. The CGM device synced with her phone, sending real-time alerts when her glucose levels veered off course. Maria began noticing patterns: her blood sugar spiked after eating granola, and with high stressful moments. It was best regulated with increased activity on weekend and after long rehearsals.
With this data, she increased her daily activity and scheduled an appointment with me. After adjusting her meals—swapping sugary granola for scrambled tofu and toast or cooked whole grain cereal with nuts and seeds and eating balanced lunches of starchy vegetables or whole grains, beans, vegetables, nuts and seeds, the feedback loop was immediate and empowering.
Living with diabetes means navigating a complex landscape of food, activity, medication, and stress—all of which can influence your blood glucose levels. Monitoring those levels isn’t just a routine task; it’s a cornerstone of effective diabetes management. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or a seasoned pro, understanding when to check, what the numbers mean, and how to interpret them can make all the difference.
Why Monitoring Blood Glucose Is Essential
Regular blood glucose monitoring empowers individuals living with diabetes to:
Make informed decisions about food, exercise, and medication.
Detect patterns in blood sugar fluctuations and adjust accordingly to individual needs.
Prevent complications such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Improve long-term outcomes by maintaining target ranges and reducing the risk of heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve issues.
Collaborate effectively with healthcare providers to fine-tune treatment plans.
Best Times to Check Blood Glucose
If you do not have access to a continuous glucose monitor, when are the best times to check blood glucose? Here are beneficial moments to monitor your blood sugar:
Time of Day | Purpose | Target Range (mg/dL) |
Fasting (morning) | Assesses overnight glucose regulation | 80–130 |
Before meals | Guides insulin dosing and meal planning | 80–130 |
2 hours after meals | Evaluates how food affects blood sugar | <140-180 |
Before bed | Ensures safe overnight levels | 100–130 |
Before exercise | Prevents exercise-induced hypoglycemia | Varies |
During illness or stress | Detects unpredictable spikes or drops | Varies |
These times can help capture a full picture of how your body responds throughout the day.
What do the Numbers Mean?
Understanding your readings is key for taking action:
Low blood sugar: May cause dizziness, confusion, or fainting. Treat with fast-acting carbs. If not too low, eat an apple for example, when glucose is within normal range follow up with eating some nuts or seeds to avoid another high-low swing.
Normal range: 70–99 mg/dL fasting.
Target range (diabetes): 80–130 mg/dL fasting.
High blood sugar (>180 mg/dL): May indicate poor glucose control or need for medication adjustment.
Normal vs. Target Ranges
Here’s a quick comparison:
Condition | Fasting Range (mg/dL) | Post-Meal Range (mg/dL) |
Normal Range | 70–99 | <140 |
Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes | 80–130 | <140–180 |
Prediabetes | 100–125 | 140–180 |
Diabetes diagnosis | ≥126 (fasting) | ≥200 (random/post-meal) |
I like to recommend once target level are reach, set a goal to reach the normal range so you can avoid all diabetes related complications.
Maria felt like she had reclaimed her tempo three months into our program. Her A1C levels dropped, her energy returned, and she no longer feared the silent swings of her condition. Glucose monitoring hadn’t just helped her manage diabetes — it had given her back control, confidence, and the freedom to dance through life again.
Freedom from Diabetes: Reclaim Your Life and Health,
September 17-28, 2025
If you’re desiring improved blood glucose levels, more energy, better sleep, and craving time to unplug, clear your mind, refresh, and refill your spiritual cup – then join us for 12 days of deep immersion into better health, vitality and joy in the pristine nature of Sunny Dawn Acres near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. There you’ll have the time to connect with God and come back home with more energy, lower glucose levels, and a renewed passion for all you’re creating in your life.
Wouldn't it be amazing to cut through the confusion and find clear guidance for managing diabetes and finally successfully have glucose levels in range?
Can you imagine how empowering it would feel to break free from a lifestyle that doesn't support your health and how liberating it would feel to shed those 50 pounds?
Wouldn’t it be life-changing to alleviate worries about diabetes complications and live without fear of an amputation?
How awesome would it feel to live without constant foot pain?
Can you imagine how wonderful it would feel to regain your energy?
On this soul-nourishing and healing retreat:
As we dive deep into God’s healing health plan, using Biblically-based techniques, you will gain control over your lifestyle, health, and the ability to provide for your family so you can cherish those precious moments together know exactly how to lower glucose levels naturally.
Through hands-on trainings and cooking classes, you will discover how to prepare meals to control blood sugars and lose weight so you can live with peace of mind.
By practicing God’s saving health plan, you will discover freedom from fear of amputation and other diabetes complications so you can enjoy life fully focusing on wellness.
Through massage and hydrotherapy, you will experience relief from pain so you can move comfortably.
By practicing your personalized health plan, you will unlock the ability to renew your energy so you can once again do the things you love to do again!
Throughout our time together, you will understand God’s health plan so you can navigate life with confidence knowing God has your best interest in mind.
While stepping into the Power of God, through cooperating with His comprehensive health plan, you will relieve your fears of having diabetes complications so you can live a life of joy again.
By the end of this retreat, you will have gained
Clarity on type 2 diabetes management,
Developed a personalized health plan to reclaim your life and Health,
So you can live a vibrant and empowered life
Without diabetes complications.
And have incredible memories (and pictures) of your Freedom from Diabetes Retreat and new friends!
What’s Included:
Pre-retreat consultation to set the intent for our journey together.
ALL our amazing meals – starting with supper on September 17 and ending with breakfast on September 28 (you will pack a sack lunch for your trip home).
11 nights lodging at the beautiful Sunny Dawn Acres nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.
All teachings and outings (including outing transportation).
Grocery Shopping Tour and Eating out Experience.
Massage and hydrotherapy treatments.
Exiting consultation to set your intent for home and life success.
What’s Not Included:
Your round-trip airfare or other transportation from home to Sunny Dawn Acres.
Medical treatment or assistance.
Souvenirs, etc.
Any additional meals, food, etc. you purchase during our outings.
If you come early or stay extra time, this is not included in our retreat.
Any extra spa services.
Medication and supplements.
Invest in Your Health, for Freedom from Diabetes so you can live the rest of Your Life with Peace of Mind!
Retreat Dates: September 17-28, 2025
Retreat Early Bird Special: $4,497 USD per person.
(After September 4, 2025, $4,997/person)
Ready to Join? Call 479-363-6585 to Reserve Your Room.
Not sure if this retreat is for you? Or need a payment plan? Feel free to connect with Dana at Dana@AbundantHealthWellnessCenter.org or call 417-459-5201 she can help!
Abundant Health Wellness Center at Sunny Dawn Acres
798 Madison 8645
Huntsville, AR 72740
Office: 479-363-6585 Cell: 417-459-5201
Abundant Health Wellness Center help individuals struggling with diabetes transform their health so they can live vibrant, empowered lives free from the progression of complications of the disease.
Blue Skies,
Dana West, RD
Abundant Health and Wellness Center
14558 US-412
Huntsville, AR 72740
“Reversing Diabetes IS POSSIBLE.”
Dana West, RDN, LD, ACLMDIP
Dana holds a bachelors in Dietetics and is board certified in Lifestyle Medicine, with emphasis in human nutrition, physiology and nutrition education. She is registered with the Commission of Dietetic Registration and is licensed with the state of AR. Dana has a passion for helping people embrace health and conquer disease.
She is the co-founder and president of Abundant Health Wellness Center and the creator of the Start a New YOU!® program.
And is the author of three books:
Kick-Start to a New YOU: a 10-day Cleanse.
Start a New YOU!® Cookbook: low allergy and anti-inflammatory cookbook with a 2 week menu and all the recipes needed for that menu.
Start a New YOU!® Reflections: A health devotional highlighting the Ten Essentials for Health™ that she covers in the Start a New YOU!® Program to reverse inflammation and chronic disease.
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