A few months ago I had an opportunity to talk with someone from InsideTracker about an opportunity to offer their services at a discounted price to the athletes I coach. Through this program I would also have the option to access their results so we could work together on making sure their health goals were being supported by the running program I was providing. I decided to have my own results analyzed before offering this to my athletes so I could see what the experience was like and be able to speak to the helpfulness of the process.
I usually get a physical each year, but my doctor does not always request bloodwork. I’ve also really struggled to find a consistent PCP since 2017 so I don’t feel like I have someone to really help me look at the progress of my overall health. I did happen to get my blood drawn after my physical last summer, and everything looked ok. However this was based on the lab report with no other personalized feedback from a physician other than “everything looks good!”.
Why use InsideTracker?
The main difference with getting a report from InsideTracker is that it is specific to athletes. So instead of comparing your results to the general population, it looks at where you need to be to be able to sustain an active lifestyle. The team at InsideTracker is constantly looking at the latest research to understand where these biomarkers should be for active individuals and how we can improve them through our nutrition and lifestyle factors.
My experience using InsideTracker
When I decided to move forward with trying InsideTracker for myself, first I purchased the plan I wanted online. One of their physicians approved it and sent me a lab slip. Then I made an appointment at my local Quest Diagnostic Center.
Before my lab appointment I had to fast so I made sure to make the appointment as early as possible. I ended up going at 7:30 am on a Sunday. I also made Saturday my rest day because it was recommended to not exercise for 48 hours before the appointment. It was important to drink alot of water leading up to the appointment so it was easier for them to draw my blood.
My InsideTracker Results
A few days after getting my blood drawn I was sent an E-mail with a link to my results. I can access my InsideTracker account either on my phone or on my computer. What you can see on each varies slightly. As a benefit to becoming an InsideTracker Pro I was also given an opportunity to set up a 1:1 consult with one of their RDs to review my results. Based on my schedule I had to wait a few weeks to do this.
My results showed that I had one area that was “at-risk”, a few that “needed work”, and the rest were “good” or in the “optimized zone”. I reviewed some the recommendations for the areas that needed work. Some of they main suggestions were to include more healthy fats like fish, avocado, and olive oil and to work on reducing stress and getting enough sleep. There were many other suggestions but those seemed to be the most common in areas I needed to work on.
When I met with the RD she suggested these things too, and we talked about practical ways to get in some of the recommended foods. I’ve started eating salmon once a week and have tried to add avocado to my smoothies since I don’t like their texture.
Tracking my progress
As a way to stay on track with my goals I’ve been using the app. It has a health plan and progress tracker. You can identify a few goals to work on at a time and then each day you mark your progress towards your goals. It’s easy to use and makes it simple to stay on track with your progress.
I am planning to continue using InsideTracker, but probably twice a year. There is an option to send blood results that were ordered through your own doctor to have them analyzed (which costs less). So I may do that in the fall when I go for my next physical. I do think it’s helpful to have these detailed results and to make sure everything is on track. It’s also really helpful to get so much feedback and recommendations based on the areas that are not optimal.
Want to try InsideTracker for yourself?
If you are interested in trying InsideTracker with a discount you can leave a comment or send me an E-mail at milebymileblog (at) gmail.com. This week you can save 28% on an Ultimate Plan which is a Boston Marathon Special. You can always save 25% off of any plan.
Do you have your bloodwork done regularly? Do you find the results helpful?
What questions do you have about InsideTracker?
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Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
This is great, Lisa. I especially like you can track your progress to improve the areas that need work.
Does the InsideTracker app use the data from a fitness watch (e.g. Garmin) to track sleep and aerobic exercise?
And do you keep a food diary on the app? Or just add the foods that were recommended?
It does connect to a Garmin, Apple Watch or Fitbit, but I have a Coros so unfortunately I can’t use that feature. And I don’t keep a food diary in the app- base on their suggestions I can pick something like “eat plain greek yogurt every day” and then if I do it that day I just check it off.
Ah, good to know. Thanks, Lisa!
It’s been awhile since I e had a full screening such as this. Mine works probably show too much sugar (though I have cut back) and too little sleep (which is a major work in progress). This looks like a great option for valuable info.
I think the only downside to the sleep recommendation is it says to “continue to get 7-9 hours of sleep” which is pretty broad. I always get at least 7, but I think I would do much better with closer to 8.
I do regular bloodwork 2x a year w my Dr. HDL is one of my areas of focus as well. Mine is also a little low however, this is a biomarker that has a huge genetic component and is difficult to change with diet and exercise. It is really interesting to be able to track your progress through the app. Lots of runners seem to like it
I like being able to focus on a few things based on all of my results. I wasn’t really surprised by the recommendations but its interesting that this report showed me things to work on while my regular bloodwork said all was good.
I was just listening to a podcast episode they sponsored. So much easier for me to process the info when written so glad you posted about this. I have blood work checked every six months for a medical condition, but it’s so hard to know what it means. I love the idea of reference markers against running population v. just everyone. Glad they gave you navigable steps. I am to bananas as you are to avocados. Smoothies is the only way I’ll eat them
I have been trying to get myself to like avocados for years and I just can’t do it! I need to be better about putting them in smoothies. I even find them annoying to cut up.
I had never heard of InsideTracker until Zenaida mentioned it! It does sound interesting.
I would think it’s a no brainer for a parent of a young child to need more sleep, LOL! Although I assume they don’t know that.
Haha thats very true. Every time the person I talked to mentioned sleeping more I had to laugh a little because of course I would like more sleep!
Thanks for sharing. It does provide interesting information and helpful too.
I’m glad I’m not the only that feels that way about avocados.
I guess avocados are one of those foods that you either love or hate!
It’s really amazing how many things we can do at home, or that can be facilitated from home. Technology is amazing!
So glad you are able to get more personalized results so easily!
It really was pretty easy! One of the reasons I didn’t do it sooner was I thought it would be alot of work but it wasn’t at all!