Welcome to home base.

Getting Started Page

This page includes a bunch of helpful information to get started.

Including:

  1. How and when to take Self-Tests

  2. How to use the Coalition

  3. FAQ’s

How to do self-tests

All self-tests are done two hours after a meal unless specifically noted.

  • We look at your resting blood pressure to track your baseline blood pressure. So when we ask for your bp or you are adding your numbers to your coalition profile, you are using your resting bp number.

    To test RESTING BP:

    1. Lay down on a flat surface like a bed and wrap the arm cuff around your left arm allowing enough room to fit two fingers in the cuff while its deflated. Don't cross your legs.

    2. Wait for 30-60 seconds for your body to relax.

    3. Start the machine and wait for the reading. THIS IS YOUR RESTING BLOOD PRESSURE.

    To test STANDING BP:

    1. Starting from laying down, place the monitor on the edge of the bed next to you.

    2. Stand up and press start on the monitor and allow it to start taking your reading while you are getting to your feet.

    3. Stay as still as possible as this maneuver often creates an error message.

    4. This is your STANDING BLOOD PRESSURE.

    We don't always need to see standing bp but when we ask for it, we need to see both numbers (resting and standing) to compare one to the other.

    *When adding your standing bp to the coalition you write it into your food journal section.

  • Two hours after your meal you will test your urine and saliva pH.

    UpH:

    1. You can pee into a cup and dunk the test strip or pee directly onto the strip.

    2. Compare to included guide and note the pH.

    SpH:

    1. Take out a test strip, bring saliva to your lips like you are going to spit and dab the test strip onto your saliva.

    2. Compare to included guide immediately and note the pH.

    *Saliva needs to be tested immediately because it will change the longer it is exposed to air.

  • With these tests, we are figuring out how many breaths your body is taking per minute and how long you can comfortably hold your breath for.

    Grab your smart phone or timer.

    Breath Rate (BR):

    1. Sit and breath normally. Try to not think much about it.

    2. Start a 30 second timer. Breath naturally, and count your inhales. *an inhale and exhale is one breath.

    3. After 30s take the number of breaths you just counted and double it. So if you took 8 breaths in 30s your breath rate is 16.

    *The mobile app "Google Fit" has a breath rate monitor that uses your phone's camera to count your breaths. This can work too.

    Breath Hold (BH):

    1. Take 3 deep breaths, in & out and have your timer in hand and ready to start.

    2. On your 4th breath take a deep breath in and then start the timer.

    3. Hold breath for as long as it's comfortable. Once you can't hold it anymore stop the timer and exhale.

  • This test is done first thing in the morning before you do anything else. Don't even brush your teeth.

    1. Prep your Glucometer (glucose meter)

    2. Wash your hands and dry with clean paper towel.

    3. Use lancet on the tip of a finger. Try to not squeeze finger too much, just let blood come out naturally if possible. Wipe away first drop of blood with clean paper towel.

    4. Test the second drop.

  • This test is done 2 hours after a meal (never first thing in the morning).

    Grab your phone timer, a paper towel, cup for pee, and a piece of paper and pen. 

    1. Take out the urinalysis guide that comes with it and lay out on the counter with a paper towel and notepad 

    2. Pee into cup (or pee directly onto strip)

    3. Start your timer once you dunk or pee on strip 

    4. Dab the side of the urinalysis strip on the paper towel to absorb excess urine so they don't bleed into each other

    5. After 60 seconds compare your strip to the guide and record the results on your notepad 

    6. *If you peed into a cup, look at the pee and note the color and if you see sediment floating in it

    To add your results to the coalition, write them into the food journal section at the corresponding time slot.

Using the Coalition and Tracking Data

Client Dashboard (landing page)

Here is an example of your dashboard on the Coalition Website.

On the left side you will see blue navigation tabs.

You will mainly be using the "Food / Daily Journal" to track everything going on with you and your body.

The other tabs contain some helpful information, about testing and chemistry. Once your program is put together, more insights will be added into your specific chemistry.

There is also a place to write messages and correspond with me directly if you want to have all your health chats in one place.

Example of Food Journal Entry

This is an example of some food journal entries.

To get here you click the blue “Food / Daily Journals” Tab.

I want to know everything that goes into your mouth, food, drinks, supplements, etc.

I'd also like to know about bowel movements, symptoms, how you're feeling and how you slept.

This is where I really get to know about how your body is running and reacting to things on a day by day basis.

On the right side of the page you will see where you can add your self-tests. Click the appropriate time slot and enter each test.

If you are adding Standing Blood Pressure, or a Urinalysis, you have to write them into the food journal section.

I also have the ability to add notes to this area, so feel free to ask questions.

*If the page is inactive for about 20 minutes, the system will automatically log you out, but it wont look like it. So if you leave the page for a bit and come back to it, make sure you refresh and log back in.

Progress Charts

To get here you click “My Charts” and then “Progress Charts.”

This is a cool feature of the Coalition so you can view your self-tests as graphs so you can track your progress.

One graph that is particularly useful is the Blood Pressure Graph. If you hover over your entries you will see a pop-up that shows you the blood pressure readings you entered. But it also automatically calculates your Pulse Pressure.

Pulse pressure can be helpful in determining if you are in a sympathetic state (fight or flight) or a parasympathetic state (rest digest).

*If you ever enter incorrect information into your self-tests, you can send me a message and let me know and I can change it for you.

 FAQs

  • You can start doing self-tests as soon as you have the equipment. You can start logging self-tests into your coalition profile as soon as you have access.

    The first 2-4 weeks is about learning how your body is working. So we want to see as many tests in the beginning as possible.

    After you have your program and recommendations you can take a little break from tests. However, once you start your supplements and taking action we will want to see some tests again to see how your body and chemistry is responding.

    We also have monthly check-ins and it can be helpful for me to see a new set of self-tests prior to that appointment.

  • I like things to be as easy for you as possible. So this is different for everyone. If you are someone who likes to track your chemistry, you can take self-tests everyday. Or if taking self-tests is hard or too time consuming, I would like to see all the tests at least 3 times a week for 2 weeks.

  • After working on reducing bad bacteria, clients often wonder if they’re ready to move to the next step of their health program, which typically includes introducing probiotics and digestive support with HCL (stomach acid) supplements. Here’s a guide on how to determine if you’re ready to transition.

    Step 1: Assess Your Current Digestive Health

    Before moving forward, it’s essential to check in with your body’s current state. Ask yourself if you’re experiencing any of the following digestive symptoms:

    • Bloating

    • Heartburn

    • Reflux

    • Indigestion

    • Burping

    If you’re not experiencing these symptoms, it may be time to proceed with the following testing steps.

    Step 2: Probiotic Test

    This test helps determine if there are still high levels of bad bacteria in your system. Here’s how to perform it:

    1. Morning Test: Take one Immune-Symbiotic Probiotic capsule on an empty stomach and wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything besides water.

    2. Evening Test: If you experience no discomfort, take two probiotics 1-2 hours after your last meal in the evening.

    3. Next Morning Test: The following morning, again on an empty stomach, take two probiotics and wait 30 minutes.

      What to Watch For: Discomfort may present as dull or sharp pain or cramping in the stomach or intestines. If you feel any discomfort, it’s a sign that there’s likely still an excess of bad bacteria. In this case, you may benefit from continuing bacterial reduction for another 2 weeks before re-testing.

    If no discomfort occurs, it’s time to move to the next test.

    Step 3: HCL Challenge Test

    Once you’ve confirmed that bad bacteria levels are low, you can start introducing HCL supplements to support digestive function.

    1. Start with a Protein Meal: Take one HCL capsule during a meal that’s rich in protein. Take the capsule in the middle of the meal, ensuring you have food both before and after swallowing the HCL.

    2. Increase Dosage Gradually: If there are no issues with one capsule, try two capsules with your next meal. Continue this pattern, gradually increasing by one capsule per meal, up to a maximum of five capsules.

      What to Watch For: If you experience any issues while increasing your HCL dosage (e.g., warmth in the stomach, discomfort), it could indicate that bad bacteria are still present in higher levels. At this point, a reintroduction of bacterial reduction may be helpful before reattempting the HCL challenge.

    What’s Next?

    Once you successfully complete both tests without discomfort, you’re ready to transition to the next phase of your program with confidence. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, feel free to reach out for support. This is definitely one of the trickier phases for most programs.

  • You will automatically receive reminder emails every month to prompt you for scheduling your check-in call.

    You also have the option of scheduling multiple calls at once, so you can have your future calls already lined up.

    If you need to schedule a check-in call, here is the scheduling link:

    https://bioicoach.as.me/clientcheckin

    You also have the option to create a username and password - this is for quicker scheduling in the future.

    This username and password are for scheduling only and is different from membership/client login located in other places on this website and your account on the Coalition website.