What tools and daily habits helped you manage type 2 diabetes beyond meds?

[Nicholas.T]

I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and am trying to establish a sustainable management routine that goes beyond just medication. My doctor provided general guidelines, but I'm struggling with the practicalities of consistent glucose monitoring and understanding how different foods specifically affect my levels. For those who have been managing this long-term, what tools or daily habits made the biggest difference in gaining control, and how did you navigate the initial overwhelm of tracking and adjusting to this new normal?