Diabetes prevention
By Patricia Nugent
With both parents suffering from Type 2 diabetes, and both brothers dependent on insulin, Adrienne from Painesville could see the writing on the wall—and she didn’t like it.
So when she heard about the Lake County YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, she thought she would be the ideal candidate.
“I had just retired and was looking to turn my life around to actually enjoy a long retirement,” says the 67-year-old, noting she had become overweight and sedentary.
“All the research I did before the program showed a very good success rate for reversing Type 2 diabetes if caught in the pre-diabetic stage. I was game.”
The year-long program, which began in August, meets weekly for the first 16 weeks, then every other week, then once a month.
“The meetings cover interesting topics about nutrition and healthy lifestyle strategies,” she says.
“Each week we are weighed and go over our activity logs and food journals. And we share what we’re going through as well. There are a variety of folks in the group of eight, young and old, women and men. And we are all going through something we need to overcome.”
Even though it’s early in the program, Adrienne has already lost 25 pounds, and lowered her A1C blood test and blood pressure enough to have her medications reduced by half. She says her doctor is thrilled and anticipates taking her off both meds in the near future if her numbers continue to go down.
She says her sleep apnea has improved so much she doesn’t need a CPAP machine anymore. And her mood and energy level have been amazing.
The goal of the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program—which is one of 200 across the country—is to help people with pre-diabetic symptoms make the necessary lifestyle changes in diet and activity to avoid the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Look for more monthly stories, as Mimi Magazine chronicles the inspirational journeys of the participants in this initial Lake County YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. The cost is $429, which can be covered by insurance or the Lake County YMCA. You do not have to be a member to participate. Visit LakeCountyYMCA.org, or call 440-354-5656 ext. 310 for more information.