Reclaim Your Rise
with Lauren Bongiorno

Risely coach and registered dietitian Elisabeth Didonato is back again to open up a BIG can of worms: metabolic supplements. Should we take them? Do they really help with T1D? What do we look for? In this conversation, we specifically look at the supplements currently on the market for blood sugar control. Elisabeth breaks down the typical ingredients in popular brands, the difference between liquid or capsule form, the truth about apple cider vinegar, and we even tackle the controversial debate about cinnamon! Time Stamps: 01:59 Elizabeth’s background 03:34 The Purpose of Supplements and Do They Really Help? 08:13 “Supplement Trends Are Like Fashion” 09:17 What is Metabolic Health? 09:58 Who are the Supplement Brands Mostly Targeting? 11:41 The Ingredients in Blood Sugar Supplements 16:00 Apple Cider Vinegar 16:54 Liquid or Capsule? 19:00 Cinnamon 21:60 Supplements for Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes 25:19 Third-Party Testing and What to Look for in Supplements 29:44 Lauren and Elizabeth’s PSAs What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop. Check out the Men’s Health study referenced in today’s episode: The Effect of Cinnamon Supplementation on Hemoglobin A1c in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by DCB graduate Barbara Nichols who was met with a shocking Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis in her retirement years. Barb is candid about her initial resentment towards diabetes education and how she just wanted to be told what to do which led to codependency on medical staff. Barb talks about how Risely filled a major gap for her in building self-reliance, as well as the vital role of having “diabuddies” to travel and do life with, including her adventures with the Diabetes Travelers Network. Time Stamps: 01:43 Reclaiming Her Rise 03:17 Barb’s Retirement Diagnosis 06:01 “Fumbling Through” 08:12 “Is this what having diabetes means?” 10:17 What Was the Hardest Thing About Being Diagnosed Later in Life? 11:39 The Red Tent for Diabetes 12:52 Resentment and Outsourcing Responsibility vs. Being in the Drivers Seat 15:55 Diabetes Travelers Network 18:49 Diabuddies: Focusing on Community vs. Problems 21:36 What gap did Risely fill? 26:50 How She Found Balance 29:29 Educational Empowerment and Self Reliance 32:21 Barb’s Advice 34:56 Her Personal Goals Now That DCB is Over What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my third-trimester update, including how my insulin sensitivity has shifted during this time and the steps I’m taking to prepare for the hospital, labor, and delivery. I’ve chosen to open up about my birth plan because, whether you share similar preferences or have a completely different approach, advocacy is such an important part of the process. I’ll talk about how I’ve been navigating conversations with my high-risk team and the hospital staff to stay aligned with my vision, even when their suggestions differ from my plan. Birth plans are deeply personal, and I know not everyone will agree with all of my thoughts. But I believe it’s worth sharing my journey openly, especially when it comes to induction and other big decisions. My hope is that this episode inspires you to trust your body, advocate for what feels right, and feel empowered in your own decisions—whatever they may be. Time Stamps: 04:12 My Blood Sugar Management in 3rd Trimester - why it’s been easier 11:40 My Birth Plan, Intuition, and to Induce or Not 25:44 Advocating for Your Birth Choices 31:27 Three Notes from My Birth Plan and Reflections What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop. Preparing for pregnancy in 2025? Access our Pregnancy + T1D Workshop on demand HERE . Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.

Happy New Year! In this first episode of 2025, Abby and I hope to not just motivate you, but ground you in your goals with strategic systems. New Years can feel very loud with all the talk of resolutions, so we are breaking down a favorite book, Atomic Habits, with practical tips and systems that actually stick. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel excited to approach 2025 with smart, sustainable changes to start implementing right away, let go of chasing outcomes, and know how to bounce back when you get off course! Time Stamps: 04:20 On “Atomic Habits” the Book, Habit Formation, and Systems Over Goals for Sustainability 07:55 Identity Change vs. Focusing On Outcomes 19:18 The Four Laws of Atomic Habits: Practical Applications for Type 1 Diabetes 25:00 Temptation Bundling 28:45 Lowering the Barrier to Action 28:56 Outsourcing 29:17 The Importance of Starting Small 29:25 Avoidance and Its Consequences 31:39: Making It Easy: Building Momentum 33:33: Tracking Progress and Immediate Rewards 35:41: Reclaiming Habits After Setbacks 38:50: The Role of Systems in Managing Diabetes 41:43: The Power of Social Influence on Habits What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.