Take Charge of Your Health: Session 12

Twelve months, one chapter at a time – this final session wraps up the year with a recap of the series fundamentals, practical strategies for navigating common obstacles, and a look at some next-level tools worth discussing with your provider. In this free class, Megan Ellison, RDN, CDCES of Sound Dietitians, LLC closes out the Take Charge of Your Health series with a grounding reminder of why all of this work matters and where to go from here. Offered through Stilly Valley Health Connections – explore more in our free class recordings library.

What’s covered in this class:

• A recap of the big four – a concise review of the four levers that most directly affect insulin sensitivity: weight management (even a couple of pounds lost from the liver makes a meaningful difference), diet (macronutrient pairing, aiming for 30 different plants per week for gut microbiome diversity), movement and muscle (new research shows even one minute of post-meal exercise helps), and sleep and stress
• Solving common sticking points – go-to breakfast ideas that remove the morning decision (egg muffins, overnight oats, egg in a mug, Greek yogurt parfaits, smoothies with protein, even leftovers), how to handle a lack of support or active sabotage at home, and practical workplace strategies like setting personal rules around the office candy jar and advocating for a more movement-friendly environment
• Staying on track during the holidays and travel – eating a snack before parties so you arrive with options rather than desperation, the three-bite strategy for truly enjoying something indulgent without overdoing it, packing a cooler for road trips and shelf-stable options for air travel, and why getting back into your daily routine after a vacation matters far more than what happened on it
• Spotting health misinformation – how to recognize the fear-plus-conspiracy-plus-simple-solution formula that drives supplement and program clickbait, and where to find trustworthy guidance instead (your provider, a registered dietitian, or the American Diabetes Association)
• Next-level tools to explore with your provider – an overview of GLP-1 medications (approved for obesity with prediabetes; meaningful benefits for blood sugar, weight, and heart health, but real GI side effects and muscle loss risk worth discussing with a dietitian), the key micronutrients most linked to blood sugar when deficient (vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, chromium), and what to know about herbs and spices like berberine, cinnamon, and bitter melon – including when to use caution