How Sharon Lowered Her A1C from 6.7 to 5.7 After 12 Years of Type 2 Diabetes

Article written and reviewed by Robby Barbaro, MPH
Published March 17, 2026

Meet Sharon. For more than a decade, she lived with type 2 diabetes. During those years, she tried many different approaches to improve her health. She worked with doctors, met with nutritionists, attended diabetes education classes, and experimented with multiple diets.

Despite her efforts, her blood sugar numbers never truly improved.

Her A1c fluctuated between the low 6 range and as high as 6.7. Her weight stayed stubbornly the same. Even medication did not provide the improvements she hoped for. After years of trying different strategies without lasting success, Sharon felt frustrated and uncertain about what to do next.

Then she came across a webinar for Mastering Diabetes, and what she learned there would completely change the direction of her health.

Living with Diabetes for More Than a Decade

Sharon first learned she had diabetes about 10 to 12 years ago. At the time, the advice she received was fairly simple: watch what you eat and monitor your blood sugar.

But over time, her A1c continued to come back elevated.

Eventually, her doctor prescribed medication. When that medication did not work as expected, she was referred to an endocrinologist and placed on another medication that she remained on for six to seven years. Even with medication, her numbers continued to fluctuate between 6.2 and 6.7.

During those years, Sharon continued searching for answers. She experimented with different diets, including Atkins, hoping that reducing carbohydrates would help control her blood sugar.

Unfortunately, none of these strategies created lasting improvement. Her weight remained the same, and her blood sugar continued to rise and fall without real progress.

Searching for a Solution That Actually Worked

After years of frustration, Sharon discovered a Mastering Diabetes webinar in December.

The research behind the program immediately caught her attention. She saw evidence showing how insulin resistance could improve through a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet. She also saw testimonials from people whose A1c levels had dramatically improved.

Still, she wanted to be sure. Before committing, she spent time researching the science behind the program to make sure it was a safe and effective approach. After reviewing the information carefully, she decided it was time to try something new.

She scheduled a free discovery call and decided to fully commit.

Seeing Changes Within the First Few Weeks

Sharon began following the Mastering Diabetes program and within the first two weeks, she began noticing changes.

Her weight started to drop. Her fasting blood sugar began slowly decreasing week after week. The steady improvement encouraged her to stay consistent with the program.

For the first time in years, she felt like she had found an approach that was both effective and sustainable.

Sharon’s Before and After Results

After just two months of following the Mastering Diabetes approach, Sharon saw dramatic improvements in her health markers.

Header

Before

After

A1c (%)

6.7

5.7

Fasting Blood Glucose (mg/dL)

130s

80s-90s

Weight (lbs)

141

124

Her A1c dropped from the diabetic range to the prediabetic range in only eight weeks. Her fasting glucose fell into the 80–90 range, and she lost 17 pounds.

Based on the trajectory of her numbers, Sharon believes she will soon enter the completely non-diabetic A1C range.

A Diet That Feels Abundant Instead of Restrictive

One of the most surprising aspects of the program for Sharon was how satisfying the meals were.

After years of following restrictive diets, she expected to feel hungry or limited. Instead, she found the opposite.

The meals were large, colorful, and filling. Some portions were even larger than what she normally ate before. The six-week meal plan provided a wide variety of foods and recipes, making it easy to stay engaged and enjoy the process.

She discovered that she genuinely liked the foods she was eating. Beans, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains became staples in her daily meals. She realized she did not miss the high-fat foods she once relied on.

Instead of feeling deprived, she felt satisfied.

Accountability That Made the Difference

Another important part of Sharon’s success was the support system built into the program.

Having a coach allowed her to stay accountable and receive guidance whenever she had questions. She could communicate with her coach daily and receive feedback, encouragement, and suggestions.

For Sharon, that accountability made a huge difference.

She also benefited from the program’s online community forum, where members share their progress, meals, and experiences. Seeing others working toward the same goals reassured her that she was on the right path.

It helped her stay motivated and confident in the process.

A Way of Eating That Feels Sustainable

After trying several diets over the years, Sharon believes the Mastering Diabetes approach is the most sustainable strategy she has found.

Previous diets often led to cycles of losing and regaining weight. Even when she followed them carefully, the results never lasted. This time feels different.

She believes the program is something she can follow for the rest of her life. The food variety, portion sizes, and flexibility make it easy to maintain long term.

Instead of constantly trying new diets, she finally feels like she has found the right solution.

Looking Toward the Future with Confidence

For Sharon, the most meaningful change is how she now views the future.

Before finding this program, she worried that her diabetes would continue progressing and limit her health over time.

Now, she feels confident that she can continue improving her health and maintain the progress she has already made.

She understands what foods support her body and how to manage her blood sugar effectively. And perhaps most importantly, she no longer feels restricted or discouraged.

What Sharon Wants Others to Know

Sharon believes that anyone struggling with diabetes should give the Mastering Diabetes approach a real chance.

She emphasizes that consistency is key and encourages people to stay committed even if the changes feel new at first. For her, the results speak for themselves.

After more than a decade of struggling with type 2 diabetes, she has finally found a strategy that works.

Ready to See Results Like Sharon?

If you have been living with type 2 diabetes, struggling with rising A1c levels, or feeling stuck after trying multiple diets, Sharon’s story shows that change is possible.

Book a free discovery call with one of our advisors and learn how to begin your own transformation.

Book Your Call Now

Lower Your A1c and Fasting Blood Sugar... Guaranteed

Your results are guaranteed. Join more than 10,000 ecstatic members today

Personalized coaching puts you in immediate control of your diabetes health, helps you gain energy, improves your quality of life, and reduces or eliminates your meds.

About the author 

Robby Barbaro, MPH

Robby Barbaro, MPH is a New York Times bestselling co-author of Mastering Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.

Robby was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 and has been living this lifestyle since 2006. In that time, while eating pounds of fruit every day, his HbA1c has been stable with a current A1c of 5.3%, TIR of 92%, and average total daily insulin use of 30 units.

Robby graduated from the University of Florida and is the cofounder of Mastering Diabetes and Amla Green. He worked at Forks Over Knives for six years before turning his attention in 2016 to coaching people with diabetes full time.

He is the co-host of the annual Mastering Diabetes Online Summit, a featured speaker at VegFest LA, and has been featured on The Doctors, Forks Over Knives, Vice, Thrive Magazine, Diet Fiction, and the wildly popular podcasts the Rich Roll Podcast, Plant Proof, MindBodyGreen, and Nutrition Rounds.

Robby enjoys exercising every day, spending time with friends, and sharing his lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.