Tracking Macros Helped Lower Her A1C Levels and Reverse Menopause-Triggered Weight Gain
Amy Wilson said she noticed a difference in just two weeks
Struggling with both prediabetes and menopause, Amy Wilson felt hopeless—until she discovered that tracking macros helped keep her blood sugar levels steady and staved off some of her most bothersome menopause symptoms. By fueling her body with the right mix of protein, healthy fats and carbs, she reversed her symptoms and lowered her A1C (a measure of your average blood sugar over three months). Here’s her inspiring story, plus three simple tips for blocking blood glucose spikes naturally.
Amy’s A1C levels were rising
This is getting painful and out of hand, Amy thought after yet another crushing headache and a wave of exhaustion followed a meal. I can’t live life like this! In late 2018, Amy was diagnosed as prediabetic. Her A1C level had crept up to 6.0—within the prediabetes range of 5.7 to 6.4—and she was battling frequent migraines, brain fog and constant fatigue. Menopause wasn’t helping either, bringing on hot flashes and weight gain.
Determined to turn things around, Amy changed her eating—opting for a keto diet and cutting out sugar—and started exercising more. But instead of feeling better, her symptoms worsened and her weight climbed through 2019.
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How Amy discovered macro tracking
That’s when a friend told her about The FASTer Way to Fat Loss, a program focused on tracking “macros”—the grams of protein, carbs and fats you eat each day—to help balance nutrition based on your age and health goals. She has more energy and looked amazing, Amy thought of her friend. So in January of 2020, Amy gave it a try.
But her first time tracking macros, she found it tricky to keep up with the numbers. “Tracking macros has a learning curve,” her friend encouraged her. “But once you learn, it’s easy!”
To help make it simpler, Amy began using an app, which gives meal ideas, keeps track of goals and automatically calculates the macros after logging foods. (One to try: MacrosFirst, free on Apple and Android).
Amy’s daily targets were 120 grams of protein, 143 grams of carbs and 64 grams of healthy fats, with minimal processed food. Her diet included eggs, chicken, steak, fish, fruit, vegetables, oatmeal, rice, quinoa, nut butter, avocados, red lentil pasta, nuts—and the occasional chocolate chip cookie.
Tracking macros transformed Amy’s life
To her surprise, within two weeks of tracking macros, she noticed fewer headaches and more energy. “I sleep better, and my energy is off the charts!” says Amy.
By July, her A1C had dropped to a healthy 5.3, enough to reverse her prediabetes. She also lost 17 inches in six weeks and 10 more inches in the months that followed thanks to macro tracking—including 7 inches from her hips!
Today, Amy’s blood sugar is under control, her menopause symptoms are gone and she’s helping others find the same balance through her website AmyKWilson.com. “When you fuel your body with what it really needs, you can balance your blood sugar,” the 53-year-old says. “I sleep better and my energy is off the charts!”
3 easy ways to balance your blood sugar
Worried about elevated blood sugar levels or glucose spikes that can, over time, contribute to prediabetes and diabetes? These glucose-balancing tips can help.
Snack on peaches
Peaches cut the risk of blood sugar spikes by 40 percent. How? Researchers at Texas A&M University say the summer fruit’s beta-carotene and caffeic acid help the pancreas produce more insulin.
Sip iced tea
Enjoying 6 oz. of iced tea after meals slashes blood sugar troubles by 48 percent, research shows. Study coauthor Peter Clifton, MD, says tea’s polyphenols help prevent blood-glucose spikes.
Play a game
A few minutes of fun backyard game such as cornhole cuts the risk of blood sugar issues by 45 percent, says research in PLOS ONE. Study coauthor Ken Terui, MD, explains that combining fun with movement lowers cortisol levels.
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