I went on a low carb boot camp diet for three months and lowered my AiC to 5.5 without meds. It took a serious commitment but it worked, Nothing tricky, just don’t eat sugar or starch, meaning no sugar, no bakery, no rice, no potatoes, no pasta, no alcohol; some weight exercise to prevent sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) but nothing drastic; a brisk half hour walk every day also. Turned the trick. No rocket science involved.
that is severe...I believe it works but most of a regular diet is eliminated and for most people that is unsustainable.
About 5 years ago, I went to some of the points you suggest (lite weight-lifts, brisk walks a couple of times a week, more fruit, massive cut on bakery goods, moderate alcohol (1 per day), keeping a nut-glass around for evening snacks, and one salad/fruit day a week. Sugar issues lessened.
I suspect most people when they hit around age 50 to 60...ought to shift food/energy strategies and add three hours of hiking/walking into their lives.
“I went on a low carb boot camp diet for three months and lowered my AiC to 5.5 without meds.”
My friend did the same thing a few years ago, using your same method. She dropped her A1C to a perfect level, and dropped 25-30 pounds. Not sure how long, but it took less than 6 months.
She was a “bread-aholic” so it was tough for her, but she did it.