Some background. I had a prediabetic condition coming out of covid (A1C 5.9) and Once I realised I turned my life around and got it to 5.3 I did the following 1. calorie restriction 2. Strength training. 4X 3. HIIT 3X After that, I visited a Dietician upon request from a doctor. She had me bump up my calories in a major way. I still eat clean and lots of protein. I made following changes 1. Ate a bit more cabs than previous as it helped me with my weight lifting 2. Ate a lot more calories. Good clean whole foods. 3. I did expt with Powerlifting from Bodybuilding. Powerlifting at beginning stages were far less intensive. I did not gain weight or fat just by looking. However my A1C went to 5.6 This perplexes me and My doctor has no theory as I am doing everything right. Also I do not get stressed or lose sleep, so counting them out. Anyone has any guess to whats going on? TC:~500
You need to cut back on the carbs again. How many carbs are you doing a day?
not sure if carbs are the prob. I still do not eat bread/grains too much. But I do eat fruits now. gain not a whole lot. i typically eat a bit before heading to gym. previously my diet was very close to Keto but that gave me brain fog and reduced perf at gym. not going back to that
If you're getting brain fog on Keto, you simply need electrolytes. Something with a mix of Potassium and Sodium works wonders, like LiquidIV.
I’ve done absolutely nothing I should and my A1c floats between a 5.9 and a 5.5. I’m no help here, but I just wanna let you know that you’re not alone and that you are doing all the right things to try to manage it.
I atleast needed some explaination of the increase. Doctors here are of no help :( so turning to hive mind
Eat fewer times a day. Reduce carbs, ignore calories. Zero sugar, zero artificial sweeteners (yes they cause diabetes too). Don’t count calories and ditch that dietitian. Why manage calories when you can eat by feel? Just eat 3 times a day, no more.
I need to gain muscle weight, so I force myself to eat and go a bit on caloric surplus
You may have a fatty liver (NAFLS) so fasting should help but absolutely no junk food except on days you plan for a bit of that.
I doubt that. I have not eaten any junk food for ages. I eat an icecream once an year on my birthday.
You can mostly check by looking at your ALT and AST numbers. Optimal is in the 20s
I started at 6.9 and ended below 5.4. I had the exact same experience with lifting. First thing, drop the strength training and work on cardio and endurance.
Are you of Indian origin like me? With a family history of diabetes? There’s no way for some of us with these Desi genetics to beat it. Even with a heavily controlled diet and heavy exercise. You will likely need to take some medications like metformin. I am at a 14% body fat percentage and still my A1C is 6.3 with meds. Lowest I have ever gotten it is 5.9 and that is my target now. My A1C unfortunately gets worse with age. I can just reduce the rate, but barring some medical innovation it will get worse with every decade. Keep doing what you are doing, but don’t forget to enjoy the next few decades before it gets worse.
Yeah Indian with every one close down with Severe Diabetics. I still refuse to blame genetics tho. Best of luck my friend
Genes is the common refrain but the truth is the abuse you e subjected the body for decades is catching up with you. May be more than others but still it’s also you.
If you want to control A1C control your CARBS and take most of your calories from protein and fat. Controlled food habits are more than enough. Remember food is 90% control, 10% exercise. Search about Dr Bernstein, Dr Ken Berry about doing low carb. Even if you can go at their level try to take most of your energy from protein and food fat. Endo and dieticians are of no help if you want strict control. Telling you this from experience. I am a caregiver of a Type-1 diabetic kid.
No artificial sweeteners either as they contribute to diabetes.
yeah I do not eat them. maybe a Quest protein bar when it hits Microkitchen, but apart from that, I have developed a dislike to sweet taste. my coffee is without added sugar as well
My friend does nothing and eats what he wants, when he wants and his A1C is always solid. Sometimes it’s all about the magic genes!
See an endocrinologist
explain please?
An endocrinologist is a specialist who study’s the hormones and organs responsible for producing a1c. If the change is as unexpected as you claim you would want to see a specialist. If you don’t know one ask your PCP for a referral. especially as you age it could be a whole host of factors.