An Idea - Glucose Compliance Contest

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Permalink Reply by Amy on June 14, 2009 at 12:51pm

Yep...I would definitely play! It's a great idea!

I spend a few minutes a few times a day logging my BG, the time and what I ate. I always call my father (Type 1 and strict about it) when I have great numbers so I don't have to celebrate the accomplishment alone. I went from being in the high 200's to almost normal most days now and it's been great being able to share it with someone who understands.
I really think friendly competition might spur some people to do much better and to pay more attention to what they are eating and of course to how it affects their BG.

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Permalink Reply by Manny Hernandez on June 14, 2009 at 6:18pm

This is a great idea, Jax! We've featured the topic in the forum to see how many more people would be interested in it.

If there is enough positive response to this, we could tie it in to our upcoming test-in.

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Permalink Reply by Christina on June 14, 2009 at 6:22pm

i think its a really good idea

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on June 14, 2009 at 6:49pm

Nope, sorry, I wouldn't "play". I don't think good diabetes management should be a competition. I think that just strengthens the feeling of failure when you don't have good numbers, when in fact those should be a challenge to learn from the numbers what can be done differently.

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Permalink Reply by Yvonne on June 14, 2009 at 7:09pm

I think it would be fun and I would be willing to join in. Some PWD do better with accountability, at least I know I do.

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on June 14, 2009 at 7:11pm

I like the idea a lot! In particular, I like that it is not a competition between individuals, but a competition between teams that can support each other.

For me, one of the benefits would be keeping a better LOG of my blood sugar. I already test a lot, but I hate to record them :(

Perhaps we could use one of the freely available online blood glucose logs (Sugar Stats, Log for Life, Diabetic Days, ...). Manny recently wrote a blog post which describes each.

A couple ideas/ suggestions:
1. To compare not only averages, but standard deviations as well? Perhaps a low standard deviation give you "bonus" points and a high one makes you lose points?
2. To allow for individuals who measure in both mg/dl and mmol/L to participate, to increase the diversity of participants from around the world!

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Permalink Reply by Arielle on June 14, 2009 at 8:12pm

That doesn't make much sense for me, because the number I see on the meter often has nothing to do with "compliance." I'm about as "compliant" as can be--I use a pump, test 8-12 times a day, see my endo every three months and keep my A1C around 6.0. I still had blood sugars last night which hovered around 250 for a few hours. Maybe I miscounted my carbs, maybe I had some hormonal thing going on, maybe there was an air bubble in my tubing--so does that 250 mean I wasn't compliant or didn't do what I was supposed to? I don't need an incentive to get healthy--I AM healthy, and my incentive is that I would like to remain that way.

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on June 14, 2009 at 8:52pm

I, like you, Arielle, had a problem with the word "compliant". That word makes me think of doctors lecturing you as if you had been "naughty" rather than working with you to see how you can improve. I also don't like the use of this concept regarding diet as if we are being "good" when we eat healthy and "naughty" when we "indulge". We are self-empowered as adults with this condition, to live our lives and manage our diabetes so that those lives will be healthy and happy. We don't do it to be compliant, we do it to be free.

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Permalink Reply by Dena on June 14, 2009 at 9:07pm

Sounds to me like a good way to keep motivated. I would be inspired by the other team members. I struggle with highs and lows. Don't really see this so much as a competition but a fun way to keep things going.

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Permalink Reply by nel peach on June 14, 2009 at 10:40pm

I started to respond by saying ; " no" and wanted to give my reasons why and re- read the discussion question ..do I understand : are you looking for type 2 participants in particular ?
I wish you success .

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Permalink Reply by jaxmeier on June 15, 2009 at 3:32am

Originally limited to Type 2s, but I would need to somehow differentiate between Type 2s and Type 1s because of the difference in how they maintain. Just a little more code, but no big deal to change it.

Thanks,
jax

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Permalink Reply by jaxmeier on June 15, 2009 at 3:29am

To all who have responded so far

Thanks for the comments.

I realize it isn't for everyone. Not everybody has the same motivations. For me, just seeing what my uncle went through is more than enough for me to do the right thing. On the other hand, I am a very competitive person. Working out for the sake of working out doesn't appeal (although I do it for my health now). For a long time, my motivation to exercise was getting out on the court and beating the snot out of someone.

I should have chosen different words, though. "Compliant" does sound more than a bit brusque.

The ideas I have seen so far are excellent. Not sure if I can pull them off, but it is worth a try. I agree the units of measure could be good and lead to more inclusion. Standard deviation would be more of a challenge for me, as I suck at stats. My 2nd worst course ever, right behind managerial accounting.

Keep 'em coming!

Thanks,
jax

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