Keeping your A1C below 6.5 percent is a common goal for many people living with diabetes, but getting there and staying there requires more than just good intentions.

It comes down to understanding your blood sugar data, making thoughtful adjustments, and building habits that support stable blood sugar levels over time.

In this video, I will walk you through the four specific strategies I use to keep my A1C in a range. These steps are practical, flexible, and designed to help you take action without aiming for perfection.

Watch the video:

Four strategies to keep your A1C below 6.5 percent

Before making any changes to your diabetes management, always consult your medical team.

1. Review your data and identify problem areas regularly

Frequently reviewing glucose data is one of the most effective ways to improve A1C. Research shows that people who regularly analyze glucose trends, especially when using continuous glucose monitoring, often achieve better glycemic outcomes.

Whether you use a CGM, fingerstick testing, or written logs, the goal is to identify repeated patterns rather than reacting to isolated readings.

You can find my paper diabetes log book on Amazon.

2. Make timely adjustments to your diabetes management

Identifying trends only helps if you act on them. Clinical guidelines consistently emphasize the importance of regularly reassessing therapy rather than staying on ineffective regimens for long periods.

This applies whether diabetes is managed with insulin, oral medications, non-insulin injectables, or lifestyle-based strategies.

3. Exercise consistently to improve insulin sensitivity

Regular physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity and increase glucose uptake by muscles, often lowering blood sugar during and after activity.

Even moderate exercise, such as walking, has been shown to reduce post-meal glucose levels and improve overall glycemic control.

4. Learn what affects your blood sugars beyond food

Blood sugar levels are influenced by many factors beyond carbohydrates, including stress, sleep quality, hormones, illness, caffeine, and changes in routine.

Understanding which factors affect you the most allows you to become proactive rather than reactive in your diabetes management.

The bottom line

Keeping your A1C below 6.5 percent is not about chasing perfection or the lowest possible number. It is about consistency, awareness, and making informed adjustments over time.

By reviewing your data regularly, making timely changes, exercising consistently, and understanding what influences your blood sugars, you can build a diabetes management approach that supports both long-term health and day-to-day quality of life.