How Long Does It Really Take to Reverse Insulin Resistance? (Let’s Talk Truth)

Mary Beth Oakley
Aug 25
2 min read

If you’ve been working to heal your blood sugar and balance your hormones, you’ve probably wondered:

“How long is this going to take?”

It’s a fair question—especially when you’re doing the right things and still feel stuck. Maybe your fasting blood sugar is still high, your A1c hasn’t budged, or the scale is playing tricks on you.

The truth? Reversing insulin resistance takes time—but not forever.

And what’s more important than how long it takes... is how you go about it.

How Long Does It Take?

There’s no magic number because healing is VERY individual. But here are some general benchmarks I see with my coaching clients:

2–4 weeks: You might notice more stable energy, fewer sugar cravings, and less hunger between meals.
6–12 weeks: You start seeing measurable changes in your fasting insulin, blood sugar readings, or even your A1c.
3–6 months: Many women experience significant metabolic shifts—better sleep, weight regulation, reduced meds, cycle normalization.
6–12 months: With consistency, it’s absolutely possible to reverse insulin resistance and put type 2 diabetes into remission.

BUT—and this is a big but—it doesn’t work if you only “kind of” do the work.

It’s Not Just About Time. It’s About Approach.

You could spend a year doing all the wrong things and never make progress. That’s why the method matters.

What heals insulin resistance isn’t:

Cutting calories
Running yourself into the ground at the gym
“Eating healthy” but still spiking your blood sugar all day

What DOES work?

Fasting smart (not skipping meals randomly)
Eating in sync with your hormones
Building muscle and moving your body with intention
Prioritizing sleep, stress management, and nervous system regulation

It’s not about how long you’ve tried—it’s about what you’ve tried.

Why Women Get Stuck

Most of the women I coach have tried everything—but not in the right order, or not for long enough to create real change. They’re exhausted, discouraged, and often blaming themselves for not “sticking with it.”

If that’s you, hear me loud and clear:

You are not the problem. The problem is a system that taught you to chase quick fixes instead of root cause healing.

Healing insulin resistance isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things—step by step, in a way that supports your body.

So… How Long Will It Take You?

You might start feeling better in weeks. You might need months to see the full picture shift.

But if you give your body what it needs?

It will respond.

Want help figuring out where to start?

I’ve created a free community where I share practical tools, mindset shifts, and blood sugar-friendly strategies you can use right away. It’s called No Blood Sugar BS—and we’d love to have you. 👉 Join the free Facebook group here . Or come find me on TikTok!