What Is Insulin Resistance—And Why Should You Care?

Have you ever wondered why some people develop type 2 diabetes while others don’t—despite living very similar lifestyles? Or perhaps you’ve come across the term “insulin resistance” online or in a health article and thought: “Is that me? Is it the same as diabetes? Should I be worried even if my blood sugar’s normal?”

After years of working with patients struggling with blood sugar, weight, and energy issues, I’ve seen one major gap in how we talk about health—and that’s insulin resistance.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re piecing together a puzzle with missing pieces—wondering why you're constantly tired, gaining weight despite your efforts, or being told to “make lifestyle changes” without real clarity—you’re not alone. Today, I want to help you understand what insulin resistance really is, why it matters even if you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, and what steps you can take today to support your health.

Insulin Resistance: The Hidden Beginning

Most people think diabetes is where the problem starts. But in truth, diabetes is often the end result of a much longer, quieter journey—one that begins with insulin resistance.

To explain, let’s imagine a spectrum or health curve. On one end is vibrant health. On the other is type 2 diabetes. You don’t leap from one to the other overnight. It’s a slow slide over years—sometimes decades—through phases that are often invisible.

Insulin resistance is one of the earliest shifts on this curve. It can develop silently while your blood sugar still reads as “normal” on a test. But make no mistake—insulin resistance is the root of type 2 diabetes. You can have insulin resistance without diabetes, but you can’t have type 2 diabetes without first becoming insulin resistant.

What Happens In Your Body?

Here’s how the process unfolds:

1. When you eat, especially carbohydrates, your blood sugar rises.
   
2. Your body produces insulin—a hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells to be used as energy.
   
3. If your diet is regularly high in sugar and quick-release carbs, your body ends up producing more insulin to keep up.
   
4. Over time, your cells stop responding properly. Your body pumps out even more insulin to compensate—this is known as hyperinsulinaemia.
   
5. Eventually, your pancreas can’t keep up. Your blood sugar starts to rise—first into the prediabetic range, then into type 2 diabetes.
   
   

It’s like insulin keeps knocking at the door, but the cells inside have stopped answering. And while you might feel “fine,” this hidden imbalance could already be affecting your waistline, energy, cholesterol, blood pressure, and even your mood and memory.

Could You Be Insulin Resistant?

Here are some common signs:

• Gaining weight around your middle, even if your diet hasn’t changed
• Craving sugar or carbohydrates, especially in the afternoon or evening
• Feeling tired after meals
• Struggling to lose weight
• Rising blood pressure or cholesterol
• A family history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke
  
  

If this sounds familiar, you might be somewhere along that insulin resistance curve—even if your blood sugar is still in the “normal” range.

Why Waist Size Matters

Think of your waistline as your body’s dashboard warning light. A growing waist—especially if it falls into the amber or red NHS zones—is a sign that insulin resistance may already be at play.

Measure your waist midway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone:

Women:

• Low risk: Less than 80 cm (approx. 31.5 in)
  
• Increased risk: 80–87.9 cm (31.5–34.5 in)
  
• High risk: 88 cm or more (34.6 in+)
   

Men:

• Low risk: Less than 94 cm (approx. 37 in)
  
• Increased risk: 94–101.9 cm (37–40 in)
  
• High risk: 102 cm or more (40.2 in+)
  
  

This simple tape measure test could tell you more than a blood test.

Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes: The Crucial Difference

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body cannot make insulin at all. Type 2 is a condition of overload—too much insulin over time, leading to resistance and eventual breakdown.

Insulin resistance isn’t just about blood sugar—it drives inflammation, weight gain, fatty liver, high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, and increases your risk for conditions like dementia and heart disease.

What Can You Do?

Here’s the empowering part: it’s not too late.

Whether you’re at the start of the curve or already managing diabetes, lifestyle changes—particularly around nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress—can help reduce insulin resistance and even reverse type 2 diabetes.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.

Explore Further

Curious if insulin resistance is the reason you're tired, gaining weight, or struggling with cravings?

Watch the full video on YouTube to uncover the early signs most doctors miss—and what you can do today to start reversing it.

Want clarity and control over your blood sugar?
Download the free 12-page Blood Sugar Mastery Guide —practical, easy-to-follow steps you can take now to regain your energy and protect your long-term health.

Ready to take the guesswork out of your health journey?
Start the Health Breakthrough Series —a free video series designed to walk you through the science, the symptoms, and the solutions, step by step.

Final Thoughts

Insulin resistance is reversible—especially when caught early. Even if your tests are “normal,” symptoms like tiredness, cravings, and belly weight are messages from your body. Learning to recognize these signs could help you change course before diabetes sets in.

If this blog resonated with you, I encourage you to measure your waist, reflect on your symptoms, and explore the free resources linked above.

Because once you understand insulin resistance, you gain power over your own health journey.