Q: Thank you for taking an overall approach to diabetes, including exercise and diet. I am a Type 1 diabetic who participates in triathlons. I am interested in acquiring more details concerning the services you offer. My first questions concern the type of exercise training plan developed and whether it would be (i) specific to triathlons, (ii) include heart rate zones, and (iii) include training phases (base, build, etc.)? In addition, with respect to the diet plan, do you base the plan on estimated calories and what ratio of carbs/fat/protein do you use as a base?

A: Our coaching programs are based on the needs of our members. So yes, we are certainly able to provide a triathlon specific coaching plan, with phases (base/build1-2/peak/taper), all while helping you to optimize your nutrition & pattern/predict/adjust your diabetes management around your athletic training & goals.  And absolutely - we will provide you with personalized target heart rate data and assist you in applying heart rate training objectives to your training plan/workouts. 

Our CEO, David Weingard, is a successful Type 1 Ironman triathlete himself, and knows the challenges (& successes!) of managing blood sugars around training & racing.  We are currently working with a handful of other triathletes and endurance athletes as well.

One of our sports nutrition/CDE experts will respond more specifically to your nutrition question.  To some degree that very much depends on an individual's goal (weight loss, weight maintenance, weight gain) - a typical "athlete meal plan" might look something like this: 55% to 62% of the energy as carbohydrate, 14% to 17% of the energy as protein, and 22% to 30% of the energy as fat.  As sports enthusiasts ourselves, we are very much aware of the 4:1 performance ratio research (& controversies) and we also see the need for individualization based on response to training, GI tolerance, etc.  Certainly, "practice" during training makes perfect - or at least provides lots of great "feed-back" information (no pun intended!) upon which to progress. 

In general, as a member you are assigned a personal team of diabetes expert coaches (exercise physiologists/ personal trainers/dietitians/and wellness RN's) who work in an integrated approach to assist you in optimizing your fitness and nutrition goals while supporting your diabetes management plan.  Programs are highly individualized and are adjusted based on your continual feedback.  Plans with progression are emailed to you every 2wks.  You also have continual access to coaches via both phone and email for questions, feedback, & ongoing support.

I would be happy to speak to you directly via phone to discuss further, to answer any questions you might have, or to get you signed up for a program plan. 

Always in health,

Delaine M. Wright, MS, RCEP, CDE
Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Certified Diabetes Educator ~ Exercise Coach