If you’ve ever had blood work done, chances are you’ve seen a number called A1C on your lab report.
Many people are told, “You’re fine” or “You’re borderline” — without ever truly understanding what that number means or why it matters so much for long-term health.
Let’s clear that up.
What A1C Actually Measures
A1C (also called HbA1c) is not a single-day snapshot of your blood sugar.
Instead, it reflects your average blood sugar over the past 8–12 weeks.
Here’s the simple explanation:
- Sugar in your bloodstream sticks to red blood cells
- Red blood cells live about 3 months
- The more often your blood sugar is elevated, the more sugar sticks
- A1C measures how “sugar-coated” those cells have become
In other words, A1C tells a long-term story, not a one-day event.
Understanding A1C Ranges (In Plain English)
- Below 5.7% → Normal blood sugar handling
- 5.7% – 6.4% → Prediabetes (blood sugar is frequently elevated)
- 6.5% and above → Type 2 diabetes
But here’s the key point I want my clients to understand:
You don’t suddenly become unhealthy at 5.7.
Blood sugar problems develop slowly — often for years.
By the time A1C creeps up, the body has already been struggling behind the scenes.
Why A1C Matters for Aging Adults
As we get older, three things tend to happen:
- Muscle mass declines
- Daily movement decreases
- Blood sugar stays elevated longer after meals
This combination makes it harder for your body to manage glucose efficiently. Over time, higher A1C levels are linked to:
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Increased belly fat
- Joint inflammation
- Loss of strength and muscle
- Higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage
This is not about fear — it’s about awareness and control.
A1C Is Not About Sugar Alone
Many people assume A1C is only about sweets or desserts. That’s a mistake.
A1C reflects:
- How often you spike blood sugar
- How long it stays elevated
- How well your muscles absorb glucose
And here’s the part most people never hear:
Muscle is the primary storage site for blood sugar.
When muscles are inactive or underused, glucose stays in the bloodstream longer — pushing A1C upward even if your diet “isn’t that bad.”
The Missing Piece: Glycogen
This is where most advice falls short.
Your muscles store sugar in a form called glycogen.
When glycogen is used regularly, muscles become more insulin-sensitive and pull sugar out of the bloodstream efficiently.
When glycogen is never used, blood sugar lingers — and A1C rises.
This is why:
- Endless dieting fails
- Walking alone often plateaus
- Medications manage numbers but don’t fix the system
How The Glycogen Reset Fits In
In my book The Glycogen Reset, I explain:
- Why daily glycogen use matters more than calorie counting
- How short, strategic movement improves insulin sensitivity
- Why consistency beats intensity — especially after 50
- How to lower A1C naturally by changing how muscles are used
This is not a “burn more calories” approach.
It’s a metabolic reset — teaching your body to handle fuel properly again.
The Takeaway for My Clients
If your A1C is creeping up — or if you want to keep it low — the solution is not extreme dieting or exhausting workouts.
It’s about:
- Using your muscles every day
- Emptying glycogen regularly
- Preventing long blood sugar spikes
- Restoring insulin sensitivity over time
A1C doesn’t lie — but it can be changed.
And understanding how glycogen works is the first step.
👉 If you want to go deeper, my book The Glycogen Reset walks you through this process in clear, practical terms — designed specifically for adults who want strength, energy, and metabolic control as they age.