Your Insulin Resistance Is Improving When THIS Happens

Tracking Progress: Indicators of Improved Insulin Resistance in a Health Journey.

If you have been struggling with stubborn belly fat, cravings, fatigue, elevated blood sugar, or feeling hungry all the time, insulin resistance may be one of the missing pieces.

One of the clearest signs that your metabolism is beginning to shift in the right direction is this:

Your body starts making ketones.

That does not necessarily mean you need to follow an extreme ketogenic diet forever. But it does tell us something very important:

Your body is becoming more metabolically flexible and may be improving its ability to burn stored fat for fuel instead of relying heavily on constant sugar intake.

At Krehbiel Natural Health LLC, I often explain that insulin resistance is not simply about body weight. It is about how well your body responds to insulin, regulates blood sugar, and accesses stored energy.

What Is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells where it can be used for energy. When insulin resistance develops, the cells stop responding efficiently. The body compensates by producing more insulin to keep blood sugar under control.

Many people can have insulin resistance for years before blood sugar becomes “high enough” to trigger a diagnosis.

Over time, this may contribute to:

• stubborn abdominal weight gain

• fatigue after meals

• sugar cravings

• brain fog

• elevated triglycerides

• inflammation

• hormone imbalance

• elevated A1C

• difficulty losing weight despite dieting

One Sign Your Insulin Resistance Is Improving: Ketone Production

Guide to Interpreting Ketone Urine Strip Results: Negative indicates a need to reduce carbs and exercise more, while trace to moderate suggests effective fat burning. For large readings, consider adding a serving of fruit.

When insulin levels remain elevated all the time, the body has difficulty accessing stored fat for energy. As insulin sensitivity improves, the body may begin producing ketones. Ketones are molecules produced when the body burns fat for fuel instead of relying primarily on glucose.

This shift may happen during:

• anti inflammatory nutrition changes

• reduced sugar intake

• improved metabolic flexibility

• periods between meals

• overnight fasting

• improved mitochondrial function

• structured wellness programs under practitioner guidance

Some people notice:

• more stable energy

• reduced cravings

• improved mental clarity

• decreased hunger between meals

• easier body composition changes

More ketones are not always better. The goal is metabolic flexibility and improved insulin sensitivity, not extreme restriction or starvation. This does not mean ketones are the only marker that matters. But they can be one sign the body is becoming less dependent on constant glucose intake.

Insulin Resistance Reversal Is About More Than the Scale

Weight alone does not tell the full story.

A person can lose weight and still struggle metabolically. Another person may improve their metabolic health before dramatic scale changes occur. That is why I encourage clients to look at multiple metabolic health markers.

BMI Still Matters, But Context Matters Too

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is not perfect, but it can provide one piece of the picture.

In general:

• Under 18.5 = Underweight

• 18.5 to 24.9 = Green zone

• 25 to 29.9 = Increased metabolic risk

• 30+ = Higher metabolic risk

General BMI ranges commonly used to assess metabolic risk patterns.

However, BMI should never be used alone. Muscle mass, inflammation, hydration, waist size, and metabolic markers all matter too. This is why tools like the InBody Composition Scan can provide a much more complete picture than body weight alone.

Why Waist to Height Ratio Matters for Insulin Resistance

One of the most overlooked metabolic markers is waist to height ratio.

Research suggests your waist circumference should ideally be less than half your height.

Simple Waist to Height Ratio Formula

The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is the waist circumference divided by body height, both measured in the same units.​ Abdominal inflammation is often one of the earliest visible signs of metabolic stress and hormone imbalance.

Waist to Height Ratio

For example:

• A person who is 68 inches tall would ideally have a waist measurement below 34 inches.

• Ratios above 0.5 may suggest increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk.

Excess abdominal fat is strongly associated with:

• insulin resistance

• inflammation

• elevated cortisol

• fatty liver patterns

• hormone imbalance

Waist measurements often improve before major scale changes happen.

A1C Is Another Important Insulin Resistance Marker

A1C measures average blood sugar levels over roughly 3 months.

Many people are told their labs are “normal” even when they are trending toward metabolic dysfunction. Improving insulin sensitivity may help stabilize A1C levels over time.

General ranges:

• Below 5.4% = Often considered optimal

• 5.5% to 5.6% = Early metabolic concern

• 5.7% to 6.4% = Prediabetes range

• 6.5%+ = Diabetes range

General A1C categories commonly associated with blood sugar regulation patterns.

What To Watch For Over the Next 30, 60, 90 and 120 Days

• More stable energy

• Less hunger between meals

• Reduced sugar cravings

• Smaller waist measurement

• Improved sleep

• Better focus and mental clarity

• Improved body composition

• More stable moods

• Healthier A1C trends

• Better recovery from exercise

These changes often happen gradually. Healing metabolism is not about perfection. It is about helping the body become more efficient and responsive again. Continue tracking your measurements, food intake, hydration, symptoms, and energy levels so we can better evaluate your metabolic progress over time.

A Functional Approach to Metabolic Health

At Krehbiel Natural Health LLC, I take a root cause approach to metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance.

Gwen Krehbiel conducting a Baseline Wellness Assessment at Krehbiel Natural Health.

The Baseline Wellness Assessment includes:

• InBody Composition Scan

• ZYTO BioScan

• foundational urinalysis

• BEMER session

• personalized wellness roadmap

This helps uncover patterns related to:

• inflammation

• stress physiology

• blood sugar imbalance

• hormone dysfunction

• metabolic slowing

• digestive stress

Your body is speaking. The question is whether you are listening.

If you are ready to better understand your metabolism and create a personalized plan, learn more about the Baseline Wellness Assessment today.

Book Your Baseline Wellness Assessment 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nutritional supplements and wellness programs should be used under the guidance of a qualified health professional. Individual results may vary. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new health program.