Sweet Success Story: How Ongoing Coaching Helped Eric Reach 80% Time in Range

When Eric, a 70-year-old man living with type 2 diabetes, enrolled in his provider’s SweetSpot program this past summer, he was determined to make meaningful progress with his glucose. But he was also clear about one thing: he didn’t want to start any new medications. 

Despite managing diabetes for years with metformin and Ozempic, Eric’s glucose levels were still fluctuating. His A1C in June hovered just above 7%, and his Time in Range (TIR) sat at just 53%. His endocrinologist discussed several medication options with him, but Eric was hesitant. He had previously struggled with side effects from higher doses of his medication, including GI issues and hypoglycemia. 

Still, Eric set a personal goal, which was to raise his TIR above 70% through lifestyle changes. He just wasn’t sure where to begin. 

Finding Common Ground 

As a SweetSpot Clinical Diabetes Specialist , I work hand-in-hand with providers to translate device data into everyday actions. My role is to check in regularly, help patients interpret their CGM trends, and offer small, practical changes that fit their lives. Seeing patients gain confidence and meet their own goals through this kind of ongoing support is why I love what I do. Eric’s journey is a great example of how powerful that partnership can be. 

When I first began working with Eric, I knew his motivation was already there. He simply needed structure, support, and a starting point. 

Our first conversation in July wasn’t just about glucose numbers. It was about Eric the person — his daily routine, his walks with his numerous pets, and even his stories from his career in finance. Taking the time to listen and understand his goals helped build the trust we needed to make lasting progress together. 

From there, we focused on a few small, practical goals: 

• Add 10 extra minutes to his daily walk or include a short walk after a meal. 

• Focus on adding protein, vegetables, and healthy fats first, followed by carbohydrates. 

• Use the CGM as a tool to learn from trends and not just react to alarms. 

  
  

It wasn’t about perfection. It was about progress. 

A Bump in the Road 

A month later, however, Eric’s TIR had dipped slightly, and he felt discouraged.  

Together, we reviewed his glucose patterns and realized that adding more fruits into his diet recently was causing sharp spikes. We discussed the glycemic index of different fruits and how pairing them with protein or fat (like a handful of nuts or low-carb yogurt) could help prevent rapid rises. 

This was also when Eric began exploring exercise again, such as re-joining a gym. His motivation was strong, he just needed more insight into how his habits were affecting his glucose. 

Turning Point: Learning from the Data 

By September, something clicked. 

Eric started paying attention to his CGM readings not just in the moment, but after meals and snacks. He began noticing patterns too, such as which foods caused sharp increases and which ones led to steadier glucose responses. He also started taking short walks when his glucose stayed high longer than expected. 

That awareness changed everything. 

Within weeks, Eric’s Time in Range climbed to 80% without any medication changes. 

Building Confidence Through Consistency 

Looking back, the biggest breakthroughs came from simple, consistent habits: 

• Teaching Eric how to interpret CGM trends 

• Focusing on small, realistic goals 

• Listening first and aligning with his personal motivations 

• Offering steady encouragement and accountability between visits 
  

As Eric put it, having someone check in made him feel like someone was “watching out for him.” That sense of partnership helped him stay consistent, confident, and even exceed his goals. 

Eric’s progress is proof that ongoing connection matters. With SweetSpot’s touchpoints between visits, patients receive the level of support they need to make meaningful progress on their diabetes journey.  

If you’d like to see how SweetSpot can help your patients achieve results like Eric’s, reach out to us at info@sweetspot.health. 

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SweetSpot partners with endocrinology practices to provide virtual CGM monitoring and enhanced patient care.

SweetSpot combines a centralized software platform for managing diabetes device data, such as data from CGMs and insulin pumps, with wrap-around clinical support services. SweetSpot’s virtual team of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) performs monthly CGM data reviews and coordinates with providers and patients to facilitate treatment plan changes. By actively managing and remotely reviewing CGM data between patient visits, we ensure patients receive timely treatment adjustments to improve glycemic control and patient outcomes.

Additionally, SweetSpot’s automated capture of reimbursable care events optimizes CPT code utilization, unlocking new revenue streams for practices and making our partnerships both clinically effective and financially profitable.