Beyond the Numbers: What is Prediabetes?

If you just got a call from your doctor saying your A1C is a 5.8, your first instinct might be panic. You're  thinking about finger pricks and giving up bread forever.But here is the truth from inside the exam room: Prediabetes is the best "bad" news you can get. Think of it as a biological snooze button—and you still have time to hit it.

The Simple Science: Why Is This Happening?

Think of insulin as a key that unlocks your cells to let sugar in for energy. In prediabetes, th lock is getting "rusty".While the number of "keys" (insulin) in your body might be normal or even high, your cells—the "locks"—are resisting them. This is called insulin resistance.

The good news? This process is not irreversible. While some factors may be deep in your genes, many others can be changed to stop the progression to diabetes or even revert your numbers completely

The "Big Four" 90-Day Reset Plan

Consider this a 90-day plan. If you follow these s, your next A1C test may surprise you and turn your initial frustration into a fresh start.

1) Choose What You Eat: Focus on balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats while reducing sugary foods and refined carbohydrates.

The "Fiber First" Trick: Eating a salad before your main carbohydrate meal plays a massive role in preventing blood sugar spikes

2) Activate Your Muscles: Exercise as simple as a 10-minute walk or light strength training has a huge effect on your blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity.

Small Habits Matter: You don't have to hit the gym for three hours a day. Simply parking at the far end of the store lot can make a real difference

3) The Power of Sleep: One night of poor sleep induces stress on your body and increases cortisol. This stress hormone worsens insulin resistance and can lead to weight gain and diabetes

4) The "5% Milestone": Losing just 5–7% of your body weight can significantly reduce insulin resistance and lower your risk of progressing to Type 2 diabetes. Small, sustainable changes lead to the biggest long-term results.

Your Journey Partner

This isn't a journey you should take with a Google search. A primary care physician helps you track the nuances—like your lipid panel and inflammatory markers—to ensure your 90-day turnaround is actually working.

We see this every day in our exam rooms. These stories often start with fear or even tears when the diagnosis is first revealed, but they are followed weeks later by cheers and pride as patients achieve their goals.

Act now.

Don't miss the chance—don't just snooze the alarm

Understand the Numbers