Time in Range: Why It’s Not a Competition 

When living with diabetes, time in range, or TIR, is a key data point that measures how often your blood sugar levels stay within your target range. For many people, that range is usually 70 to 180 mg/dL.  

TIR helps you and your care team identify patterns that can inform lifestyle, diet and general health decisions.  

But TIR, coupled much in part with social media, can also trigger a heightened sense of comparison. How come my TIR isn’t as good as what that influencer posted? Am I not doing enough? Why aren’t I in range as long as that person? Or even, why does the graph of their last six hours look so good and flat? It’s important to remember that people often pick and choose what part of their story to share—six hours may look great, but the full 24 hours could tell a very different, much spikier story. 

Here’s how to handle the pitfalls of TIR comparison. 

The Comparison Trap 

It’s natural to compare yourself to others. After all, we live in a world full of data, numbers, and social sharing. But here’s the thing: 

• Everyone’s body is different. 

• Everyone’s diabetes management plan is unique. 

• And everyone’s life circumstances are not the same. 

Just because someone else has a higher TIR doesn’t mean they are “winning” at diabetes, or that you are “losing.” This isn’t a game with winners and losers. It’s about progress, not perfection. 

What to Do When Comparison Creeps In 

Comparing your progress to someone else’s can fuel feelings of guilt, frustration, and even failure—and ultimately lead to burnout. Living with diabetes is challenging enough without the added pressure of perfection. 

• Focus on your own baseline. Look at how your TIR has changed over time. Even small improvements – like going from 50% to 55% –  are worth celebrating! 

• Remember context matters. A person’s TIR might look good on paper, but they could be struggling in ways you don’t see. 

• Talk with your care team. They can help you set realistic goals and remind you that health is more than one number. 

• Limit “number talk.” If you’re in a support group or online forum, it’s okay to set boundaries. You can say, “I’d rather focus on how I’m feeling than share percentages.” 

Tips to Shift Your Mindset 

• Celebrate non-number wins. Did you get better sleep? Did you manage stress well this week? Did you go for that walk even when you didn’t feel like it? Those are victories, too! 

• Use TIR as a tool, not a scorecard. Think of TIR like a compass. It points you in the right direction, but it doesn’t tell your whole journey. 

• Practice self-kindness. Remind yourself that you are managing a complex condition every single day. That takes strength and effort.  

Your Journey, Your Pace 

TIR is a tool to guide your health—not a scoreboard for comparison. Focusing too much on how your Time in Range stacks up against others can hurt your self-esteem, increase distress, and set unrealistic expectations. The healthiest focus is on your own goals, progress, and quality of life—not someone else’s numbers. 

Because at the end of the day, everyone living with diabetes is so much more than a number. 

Author: Bernice Boivin RD, CDCES | CCS Health       

This site is for educational purposes only. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health.