How Steve Dropped His A1C by Over 3 Points and Lost 37 After a Decade with Type 2 Diabetes

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Article written and reviewed by Robby Barbaro, MPH
Published April 13, 2026

Meet Steve. He lived with type 2 diabetes for nearly a decade before he decided to truly confront it.

When he was first diagnosed, it did not feel urgent. He had no major symptoms at the time, so he chose to ignore it. He declined medication and told himself he would handle it on his own.

Years passed, and over time subtle signs began to appear. He noticed tingling in his legs, changes in skin healing, and other small symptoms that suggested his blood sugar was starting to affect his body. Eventually, more serious issues developed, including complications that impacted his personal life and overall quality of life.

At that point, he realized something had to change.

Ignoring the Problem Until It Could Not Be Ignored

For many years, Steve admits he buried his head in the sand.

Even though he knew he had diabetes, he did not take consistent action to reverse the underlying cause. Without symptoms early on, it was easy to delay making meaningful changes.

But as time went on, the effects of high blood sugar became harder to ignore.

Physical symptoms began to show up. Healing slowed. Sensitivity changed. And eventually, the consequences extended beyond physical health into other areas of his life.

He realized that uncontrolled blood glucose was not something he could continue to overlook.

Discovering a Different Approach

Steve first came across Mastering Diabetes several years ago while watching videos online. He found the ideas interesting and even started reading the book.

Initially, he experimented with the approach on his own and saw some improvements.

But he eventually realized that he needed more structure and accountability to stay consistent.

He scheduled a free discovery call, that led him to join the coaching program. From that point forward, everything began to change.

Rapid Changes in Weight and Energy

One of the first things Steve noticed after fully committing to the program was how quickly the weight began to come off.

Within days, he saw the scale dropping. The consistency of that progress reinforced that he was doing something that worked. At the same time, he began experiencing improvements in energy.

He felt less brain fog and more mental clarity. He became more motivated to move his body, something that had not been part of his routine before. Even small habits, like walking after meals, started to feel natural and beneficial.

These early changes helped build momentum.

Steve’s Before and After Results

Over the course of approximately 112 days, Steve experienced significant improvements across multiple health markers.

Header

Before

After

A1c (%)

9.3

6.2

Fasting Blood Glucose (mg/dL)

240

85

Weight (lbs)

215

177.6

In just over three months, he lowered his A1c by more than three full percentage points, brought his fasting glucose into a healthy range, and lost over 37 pounds.

These changes represented a complete shift in his metabolic health.

Eating More Food While Improving Blood Sugar

One of the most surprising aspects of the program for Steve was how much food he could eat while still seeing results.

Every morning, he prepares a large bowl filled with leafy greens and a wide variety of fruits. He adds dates and even fresh grapefruit juice as a dressing. The meal is large, satisfying, and something he genuinely enjoys.

Lunch often includes salads, steamed vegetables, brown rice, and legumes. Dinner is similarly built around whole, plant-based foods.

Despite eating large portions, he never feels restricted.

In fact, he emphasizes that one of the most powerful aspects of the program is the abundance of food options. There is always something to eat, and he consistently feels full and satisfied.

Building Awareness and Structure

Steve found that tracking his meals and understanding his nutrition played an important role in his success.

Using tools to plan his meals, he began to understand how different foods impacted his overall daily intake. He would plan his meals early in the day and adjust as needed to stay aligned with the program.

At the end of each day, he could review his progress and see how closely he followed the plan. This structure created clarity. Instead of guessing, he knew exactly what he was doing and why it worked.

The Power of Accountability

One of the most important elements of Steve’s success was accountability.

Through the program, he regularly shared his progress and engaged with others who were following the same approach. Seeing other people’s results and sharing his own created a sense of responsibility and motivation.

He also emphasizes a key mindset shift that helped him stay consistent. It is not about perfection, it is about direction.

Even if he had a day where things were not perfect, he focused on continuing forward rather than starting over. That mindset allowed him to maintain progress over time.

A New Perspective on Health and Aging

At 64 years old, Steve began thinking more seriously about his long-term health.

He did not want to become dependent on others or face complications that could limit his independence. He wanted to remain active, capable, and able to enjoy life as he aged.

The changes he has made through this program have given him confidence that this is possible.

He sees his health not as something that will decline inevitably, but as something he can actively improve and maintain.

A Second Chance at Health

Steve describes the program as giving him a new lease on life.

Looking back, he wishes he had found this information earlier. He believes it could have prevented many of the challenges he experienced over the past decade.

But he also recognizes that it is not too late. By taking action now, he has changed the direction of his future. He feels stronger, more energized, and more in control of his health than he has in years.

What Steve Wants Others to Know

Steve encourages anyone dealing with type 2 diabetes or rising blood sugar to take action sooner rather than later.

He understands how easy it is to delay change, especially when symptoms are not immediately severe.

But his experience shows that the earlier you address the root cause, the better the outcome.

He believes that committing to the program and following the structure can produce real, measurable results.

Ready to See Results Like Steve?

If you have been living with type 2 diabetes, struggling with high A1c, or feeling like your health is moving in the wrong direction, Steve’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.

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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.