Don’t dismiss paper forms and lists as powerful tools in managing diabetes.

The simple act of writing something down raises the level of awareness of the action you have taken or are about to take. In turn, this means that you are more likely to do a little self-critique (even subconsciously) to assess how you are doing. Also, if you know what you should have done, this is particularly good feedback.

Since most of us tend not to live tethered to a computer, writing it down is a convenient way to remember the details, including any notes, that should be logged in your digital diary, like My Project Diabetes, later.

Personally, I think another good reason to write it down is the value of “touching” your numbers. When we write something down we have “touched” it and have a sense of how it feels. We can associate that feeling with our physical state at the moment and recall it later when we have a similar experience. For the person with diabetes, especially, knowing what low blood sugar feels like is very important.

So, even though we are big fans of online tracking diaries, we’re also big fans of writing it down. Do you know how your numbers feel?

Woody Runner is Founder and CEO of Three Questions, LLC which operates Project Diabetes as part of My Health Projects. Three Questions also operates Healthcare Fellowship Networks. Woody.Runner@ThreeQuestions.net

Hello Everyone! My name is Nancy Bristow and I am a Registered Nurse (RN) and Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). I currently work in a private practice endocrinology clinic where I work with people with diabetes on a daily basis. I work with four wonderful Endocrinologists in our busy practice group and have been a CDE for 18 years and worked in the field of diabetes for over 25 years.

I have a family history of diabetes - I lost a grandfather with Type 2 diabetes and one of my children weighed almost 9 pounds at birth. I work closely with all types of patients with diabetes and enjoy working with adult patients.

The CDE’s role is an important part of a health care team. The CDE should be an active listener and coach, helping patients to achieve their goals in managing diabetes. When I work with patients, the common recurring theme seems to be that current management routines are far too complicated and overwhelming. So I make it a goal to simplify - If you can imagine a routine that is simplified, you can succeed and avoid getting discouraged. Project Diabetes is a passion of mine and I have hopes of helping many of you on your journey and hope my insight and experiences can be helpful to your personal situation!

Nancy Bristow, CDE, RN is an active contributor to Project Diabetes and an Advisory Board Member of Three Questions, LLC, which operates Project Diabetes as part of My Health Projects. Three Questions also operates Healthcare Fellowship Networks.