Allie’s Level2 Story
Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2008, Allie constantly worried about her health and ability to live a normal life. In June 2020, she joined Level2, and fairly quickly, everything changed.
Since then, Allie has transformed her life — getting off long- and short-lasting insulin, reducing her A1C and more importantly, regaining her confidence.
“I felt like I wasn’t being a good example to my daughter and mirroring the example for leading a healthy life, but now I walk around like I’m proud. My head is up, my shoulders are back, there’s a bounce in my step,” she says.
Her newfound appreciation for exercise and yearning to socialize with friends stemmed from getting her diabetes under control.
“My diabetes — it had a hold on me because my health was not the greatest, but now that I have my health at the best that it’s been, I just feel great,” says Allie.
Her advice for new members? Don’t worry about having to deprive yourself and just make small changes.
“You can do it. You can still have bread, you can still have pasta,” she says. “You don’t have to do any crazy diet. You don’t have to make drastic, extreme changes. Just little changes you make can help you to get your blood sugar under control — so just do it!”
Similarly, she points out you do not have to overdo it when it comes to exercise.
“My top tips for physical activity are to first start slow, be kind to yourself. If you were not active before, don’t think that you automatically have to become a triathlete or a marathon runner,” she says. “During your day, do like 10 or 15 minute walks. It’s amazing the impact that little bit of activity will have on your blood sugars.”
Allie notes her Level2 coach, Kayla, has been a constant source of support and wisdom — including tips she had not heard before.
“The biggest tip my coach gave me is to eat protein before I eat carbs. If you do that you will probably not see that big of a spike after eating,” she says. “I tried it and it worked!”
Allie says she wishes she would have been able to take action sooner.
“If I could go back five years I would say (to myself), just do it! Don’t wait,” she says. “You don’t have to make crazy diet changes. You don’t have to go on fad diets. You can make small changes. And those small changes can lead to your long-term success.”
Allie is an employee of a Level2 affiliate. Level2 does not guarantee you can achieve remission or any specific health results through your participation in Level2 specialty care or the Level2 health plan.
Feb. 26 2021