By Heather Williams I’ve been a Type-1 Diabetic going on 15 years. Living with T1D is a full-time balancing act requiring constant attention to avoid acute, life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or the long-term damage done by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Blood sugar levels must be monitored with finger pricks throughout the day and night. Insulin doses must then be carefully calculated based upon activity and stress levels, food intake, illness and additional factors. These calculations are rarely perfect resulting in tremendous ups and downs and mental exhaustion. People with Type 1 have a life expectancy that is 12 years shorter, on average, than that of the average population. I refuse to accept this statistic and will do everything that is within my control to live a long, active and healthy life. This is why I signed up for the Clean Kitchen 12 week Challenge. With weight gain from medications and it being a constant battle to stay in good control, I wanted to see if Clean Kitchen could help with my eating habits, which in return would help my blood sugar levels. My fasting blood sugar was a little high on Day 1 of Clean Kitchen. But after 12 weeks in Clean Kitchen my basal insulin was reduced by 45%, my bolus insulin reduced to 0.5-1, and lowered Hg a1C by 0.3. I could not be happier with the results. I feel better, have great energy, slept better, and lost extra weight I had picked up. But the biggest difference Clean Kitchen made was in my diabetes. And for that I will be forever thankful. I lowered my hemoglobin a1c from 6.8 to 6.5 (which is awesome), and I did it while reducing my basal insulin consumption by 45% and drastically reducing my bolus insulin for food intake! I lost 10 pounds and 16 inches from my body! Thank you Coach Anna, Coach Stephanie, and to everyone at Clean Kitchen for helping me make this possible and help me feel in control of my T1D!