Unlocking Muscle Growth: Essential Tips for Building Strength with Type 1 Diabetes

Unlocking muscle growth while managing Type 1 Diabetes requires a strategic approach that balances nutrition, exercise, and blood sugar control. In this blog post, we'll explore six essential tips that are tailored to help individuals with T1D build strength and achieve their fitness goals effectively and safely.

1. Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable and In Range:
Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for optimal performance and muscle growth. High blood sugar levels hinder nutrient absorption from food, leading to suboptimal muscle development. By keeping blood sugar in check, you create an environment conducive to muscle growth and overall health.

2. Find Your Maintenance Calories and Gradually Increase:
Understanding your calorie needs is the first step in fueling muscle growth. Use online calorie calculators to determine your maintenance calories and consume this amount consistently for a week. Then, gradually increase by 200 calories per day to support muscle building...

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DF Client Journey: Deb

transformation Jan 23, 2023

After following Shawn Wicks (@thediabeticfighter) on Instagram for about one year, I finally reached out to him for help with blood sugar control. I developed gestational diabetes with both pregnancies and then one year after my second was born I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I struggled for years trying to maintain good blood sugar control and the more insulin I took the more weight I gained. Over the last few years, I've had a lot of body pain, and low energy, and  medicated for diabetic neuropathy in my feet and hands.

I finally contacted Shawn in April this year (2022) and started working with him. My plan was to work with him for 3 weeks but I continued for several more. This was not easy but the best decision I have ever made with respect to my health.

After working with Shawn I now have an HbA1c of 6.8. I am off all diabetic neuropathy medication because I no longer have neuropathy. Nothing hurts, I have a lot of energy, and the bonus, I've lost 41 pounds.

I...

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DF Client Journey: Marc

transformation Apr 06, 2022

For this post, I’m turning over the blog to my awesome client Marc to share this really amazing testimonial he provided. Thank you, Marc! I’m so proud of your hard work and dedication to your health.

I heard about Shawn through another referral and heard nothing but great things.  I have to admit,  I was skeptical about getting a “Coach” and the importance of nutrition.  My health and well-being were decent, but I was looking for improvements in my quality of life, no matter how small.  I did not believe my well-being would improve much but would have been ok with a minor improvement, like losing a couple of pounds, or a slightly better A1C.

Immediately after meeting with Shawn, I put all my trust in his hands and followed his direction.  Within the first week, I experienced significant improvements in my weight, blood sugars, and most importantly, my wellbeing.  My expectations were blown...

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DF Client Journey: Leanne

transformation Jan 23, 2022

For this post, I’m turning over the blog to my amazing client Leanne to share this really lovely testimonial she provided. Thank you, Leanne! I’m so happy our paths crossed.

YES YES YES!

Shawn has changed my life and here’s how:

As a Type 1 Diabetic for over 25 years, I’ve always had a good understanding of my body, and good control over my blood sugars. I was almost always within range for my A1C and my doctor wasn’t worried about me.

Good.

What was behind that “good control” was me constantly having to level myself out by eating or giving myself more insulin. I’d have to bolus or go for a long walk after many meals because I misjudged how much insulin I needed for it in my first injection.

Sure my AVERAGE blood sugars were good, but my graph looked like a constant yo-yo of peaks and valleys and it was exhausting.

I lost sleep almost EVERY night because I would wake up at 3 am with a sugar low, had to treat it, and called this...

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