Fuel your Flow. Health Coaching with Anna.

19/06/2026

Mums know best! 🍒

My mum certainly did when she brought me a box of shiny cherries into hospital the day after I was diagnosed with type one diabetes in August 2000.

Lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to an intravenous insulin drip I listened as a nurse sent mum packing with her offering of cherries stating that they weren’t any good for a type one diabetic. Poor mum left feeling like she’d made a careless mistake that could have done her daughter more harm than good when she was just trying to help and poor 18 year old me left with increasing anxiety about what foods I was actually going to be able to eat 😢

It makes me sad to recall this memory but it washed over me as I purchased these cherries today, nowadays absolutely sure that they will nourish my body and NOT disrupt my blood glucose levels, causing harm.

Fresh, whole fruit, containing natural fructose bound up in the fibrous cell walls is NOT going to ‘spike’ my blood glucose - there are MUCH worse things I could be choosing that would have the potential to do that like refined, processed foods with all the goodness and fibre removed and sugar and saturated fat added!

That nurse spoke to my mum like she’d brought me a box of milk tray or a bag of haribo - I hope she has since learned more about real food and no longer misinforms newly diagnosed patients.

I would be doing a terrible job as a health coach if I put anyone off fruit - Yes, in group coaching we discuss the impact of natural fruit sugar on blood glucose levels but when we are aware of it we can implement clever strategies like pairing fruit with good quality protein/essential fats, spreading our consumption throughout the day etc and I never fail to highlight the many benefits to our health fruit provides - with that said I’m off to enjoy some more cherries! 💚🍒

17/06/2026

When it comes to social media posts, consistency is NOT my strong point BUT consistency in my daily habits IS, especially when I know they do me the world of good - like ‘stopping to smell the roses (or honeysuckle 😂) along the way.’
Rather than being swept away by the myriad of tasks in life that often feel never ending and overwhelming, simply being consistent with a few minutes of mindful PAUSE throughout the day can ground us, refresh us and refocus us on what really matters.

Having just finished a final 13th session of a diabetes prevention health coaching programme I am so happy that some of the participants’ greatest achievements they cited have been…

💚resting more,
💚prioritising themselves and their health,
💚taking a gentle and self compassionate approach to their health goals
💚saying no when necessary for the sake of their health and well-being

Diabetes and blood glucose control is complex. To know that these participants now understand the value of regulating their nervous systems (alongside other lifestyle choices) to positively impact their blood glucose levels means I’m a very proud health coach indeed 🙌🏻

22/05/2026

20/05/2026

A midweek ‘hooray’ moment to celebrate the wins from group health coaching recently.
👍🏻Firstly a participant who is off to buy new trousers because his current pairs are falling down as he achieves his weight loss goals to help reduce his blood glucose levels
🙌🏻Secondly an older gentleman who was pretty much housebound is now enjoying increasing daily physical activity, walking his pre planned route that has benches along the way to rest on, having gradually built up his steps from 3000 to 8000 per day 2 months on!
🎉And thirdly a man whose latest blood test results show a remarkable reduction in blood glucose from 46mmol (firmly in the pre diabetic range) to…36mmol (firmly in the normal and safe range) He is NO LONGER PRE DIABETIC!

The small changes being implemented are accumulating into BIG results. Proud to coach them and privileged to witness their efforts paying off, seeing them looking and feeling better week by week 💚

06/05/2026

Ever considered adding extra veggies to your family favourites to boost the nutrient density of a meal? Simply sautéing some chopped carrots and celery along with the usual onion and garlic, throwing in some canned lentils with your mince (or instead of it) and adding an extra herb or two, like rosemary, will significantly increase your fibre intake (keeping those essential gut bugs happy) and the slow release complex carbohydrates will have a gentler impact on blood glucose after eating. By filling the plate with non starchy carbs, like mushrooms and broccoli, in place of garlic bread you can boost your overall nutrient intake further plus the added satiation means you and your family will be fuller for longer. Lots of little wins in one meal 🙌🏻 oh and the leftovers of a batch cook like this lasagne can be heated up for a balanced meal another day too! 💚

30/04/2026

Pre diabetes is diagnosed when blood glucose is higher than it should be, but not so high that Type 2 Diabetes is diagnosed. I like to help people understand that this phase of impaired glucose regulation is a time of opportunity because lifestyle changes at this stage reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and associated complications.

Pre diabetes is an early warning sign of something more serious. It can be the incentive for positive growth and change and the support of a Health Coach can empower you with knowledge, skills and methods of behaviour change that you will need to make small but important changes to improve your health.

With Type 1 Diabetes being an autoimmune disease I didn’t get any warning signs or the opportunity for reversal but I do live a lifestyle that enables me to maintain good blood glucose control and I want to help others see that it can be done with enjoyment and ease 💚

24/04/2026

Just me and my ‘instagram voice’ back to tell you a little of my own health journey and what lead me to complete a diploma in Health Coaching

22/04/2026

Hi there, I’m Anna 💚

02/04/2026

Working week complete and the long weekend stretches ahead of me. 2 fantastic health coaching groups today with interesting discussions about how our health is multifaceted and how managing our blood glucose not only involves considering our food choices and physical activity levels but also our psychological well-being, stress levels and sleep quality. Mind matters when it comes to our overall health as well as reducing blood glucose levels. For me, managing type one diabetes everyday, this weekend will involve prioritising some relaxation and mindful moments to rest, reset my nervous system and regulate my blood glucose levels as well as my physical energy levels