diabetic adult gymnast doesn't let the condition stop her from doing gymnastics

jules found out something she never would have known.

I noticed over the three camp days, my blood sugars were very stable. Something I could not achieve anymore with my pump while struggling daily to achieve balanced control and failing.  As every gymnast knows ... we don’t handle failure well, it’s not something we do.  It was crushing me physically and mentally riding my roller coaster of blood sugars.  I want to fly up and down with my body...not with my glucose levels.  

So camp was over, and I was slowing one legging myself down the stairs, I decided to do an experiment. Take off the pump and do injections for three months-old school style. Well day 1 blood sugar wise was close to a perfect 10 (even though now it is like a 16 or something). I had a scheduled doctor’s appt. (such perfect timing! Like a properly blocked backhandspring to double back) and we agreed this treatment agreed with my body.  

the wins continue

It is now day 5 pump less. My average blood sugar over 30 days was 171. This was with me struggling, adjusting, going high, going low, and failing in my mind. Average blood sugar last 4 days…131. A non diabetic would have a blood sugar between 80-130 so this is nailing it (or sticking it!)

follow your heart and you will be rewarded

I have been walking with a lighter step (after the soreness passed) with radiating happiness I have not felt in years.  Gymnastics camp rocked my world in more ways than one. So follow your passion, listen to what your gut is telling you.  The expected outcome may occur but other amazing secondary benefits arise as well.  Think positively and surround yourself with love (not necessarily love from others but love in an action, activity, etc ie: gymnastics) happiness follows.

Julieanne Estes

Type 1 diabetic adult gymnast, Mother of 2, wife, Ex-Level 10 national gymnast, regular gymnast forever, Tough Mudder & business owner.

Here is a visual of the leveling of my blood sugars.  The first is 90 days, second 3 days.  Flat is good and without all the ups and downs.

jules doing front giants on strap bar

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