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Learning a lot about CGM in the Data Driven Fasting group.
CGMs are not measuring your blood glucose: which is the desired format if you want to do the [DDF] challenge correctly. So yes: you should be checking your BG with a finger prick. There is no “easier” method available at this time for BLOOD glucose.
So...what is a CGM you may be asking yourself? A CGM measures interstitial fluid (the liquid that lies just beneath the skin). Because it can take 20-40 minutes for glucose to travel through your veins to change the glucose levels under the skin - your CGM readings will rarely if ever match your BG exactly. (Unless your BG has been the same for the last hour or so). Yes, it’s fantastic for showing you trends: i.e. whether your glucose is rising or steady or falling. But make no mistake. It’s not Blood glucose which is the most reliable.
Plan: Very LC, Higher Protein
Stats: 227/186/185
BF:
Progress: 98%
Location: Herndon, VA
Good description and important clarification. Interstitial fluid - between cells, would definitely take longer to show comparable BG levels after eating.
...A CGM measures interstitial fluid (the liquid that lies just beneath the skin). Because it can take 20-40 minutes for glucose to travel through your veins to change the glucose levels under the skin - your CGM readings will rarely if ever match your BG exactly. ...
I get an upswing in my CGM readings within 5 - 10 minutes whenever I "exert" myself - from heavy resistance training to climbing the stairs.
Also if you want more on CGMs, Marty posted a DRAFT of an article in Google Docs. This focused on how to lose weight with a CGM, not exercise, but adding it here anyway. Lots of info on brands.