Because there is much more to keep track of and manage than just your BgL

This year I established a personal blog about my experiences as a person who enjoys planing and is living with Type 2 Diabetes, recently diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema.

In 1999, I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2. I found myself with enormous amounts of information to sift through and no readily accessible system, process, or tried-and-true practices on how to keep track of it all.

There are numerous groups that educate us about Diabetes, and a plethora of information to sift through - but I could not find a single one about how to organize all the information; no routines or outlines, no systematic approaches, that automated the steps so you do not have to think or remember every. single. thing. you need need to manage your Diabetes effectively - because let's be real here. There is much more to keep track of and manage than just your BgL levels!

Enter: The Diabetic Plannerista.

I have been using a digital calendar since 2003, a ring-bound paper planner since 2014 and in between have always kept notes and records in some form or fashion. Then, in 2018, I was diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema (DME).

For years I winged it and struggled without a systematic approach to it all but that is when I had enough and started searching in earnest for systems, tools, apps, and approaches to streamline everything as much as possible while still being thorough. So I am on a mission to curate, develop, and implement planning tools specific to diabetes management whether you love paper planners, prefer digital, or a hybrid system.

Now more than ever, there are all types of planning tools to make managing my T2D easier. I wanted to record my findings all in one place and share my story - unfiltered and unrehearsed.

Time Management

Time management is one of the hardest things to teach anyone including a diabetic. Diabetes can be overwhelming trying to figure out meals, blood sugar monitoring, medications, physical activity, and just life in general. Suggestive steps to managing diabetes more efficiently:

1. Utilize a calendar system and record your “schedule”. Include meal times, work schedules, family events, doctor appointments, blood sugar checks, medication dosing, and exercise time. Add phone alarm reminders.

2. Organize your diabetes supplies. Keep in one location so you are not searching for everything. You will also notice quickly when supplies are running low and when to refill them. Update your medication record with new medications, dosing information so you and your support team are aware of the changes.

3. Create a diabetes travel kit to include medication, testing supplies, snacks, water, and glucose tablets to treat your low levels.

4. Plan a 7-day dinner menu; create your shopping list and then food shop. Add options to your menu to cook once and dine twice such as roasted chicken one dinner and then remake into chicken fajitas the next night.

5. Create a support system so you are successful to include your family, friends, and health care team including a dietitian and diabetes educator.