Gail Reynolds struggled with pre-diabetes and watched her A1C (average blood glucose) continue to rise until her doctor told her she had type 2 diabetes and prescribed medication to manage the disease.
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Reynolds was in shock and felt helpless when her doctor gave her advice to watch her carbohydrate intake and drink lots of water. She read about the Diabetes Prevention Program in the newspaper and enrolled.
Reynolds has learned a lot from keeping a food journal and from the suggestions that Grant gives after reviewing it each week.“The class has been a tremendous help to me,” she said. “Little by little, the weight just started coming off.”
Then something unexpected happened. Reynolds, who had already lost 10 pounds, got a sinus infection in February and went back to her doctor. She learned she had improved her blood glucose level so much that she didn’t need to take the diabetes medicine after all.
She was overjoyed and continued to work on improving her eating habits by switching to low-fat snacks at home, making healthier substitutions in her cooking and ordering low-calorie options at restaurants.
Now 20 pounds lighter, Reynolds got another surprise around Easter. “I ordered some dresses that were a size smaller than what I normally wear, and when they came they were still too big,” she said. “I have wanted to lose this weight for a long time, and I’m so happy that I finally found a good way to do it.”
William Sewell is another success story. He has already met his goal by losing 7 percent of his body weight during his participation in a group led by coach Kim Johns in Bremen. “I have noticed quite a difference in how I feel, and I have had to invest in some new wardrobe items,” Sewell said.
Sewell, who is pre-diabetic, changed many of his eating habits due to the class.
“I think what has helped me the most has been learning to slow down my eating and enjoy what I’m eating instead of trying to devour it,” he said. “I have learned to think about what I’m eating and enjoy the tastes and let my nutritional system absorb what I’m eating.”
Sewell notes he also learned a lot about nutrition, portion control and eliminating fat from his diet.
Marguerite Embrey attends a group led by coach Jamie Brandenburg in Roopville. She also found out just prior to starting the class that she had developed type 2 diabetes. The diagnosis was devastating, but the class helped her to make some major lifestyle changes — and brought her a very happy and surprising result.
“I have been making a lot of changes in how I prepare foods, and we are eating a lot more vegetables and extremely lean cuts of meat,” said Embrey. “I have also learned to snack in between meals to keep my hunger in check and keep my blood sugar levels under control.”
Embrey, 72, set exercise goals for herself that involved regular walks. She lost 12 pounds in six weeks and significantly lowered her blood sugar. Her progress has been so remarkable that her doctor said she could stop taking her oral medication for diabetes. She was surprised and thrilled, and feels motivated to stay healthy and live free from type 2 diabetes.
Millie Grant, a certified Diabetes Prevention lifestyle coach and project coordinator for Get Healthy, Live Well, leads their Monday evening class that meets in Carrollton.
“It’s a great feeling of empowerment for people to take charge of their health by learning to control what they eat and staying active,” Grant said. “I’m so proud of my class.”
Grant, who has 12 students in her class, says lifestyle changes can make a powerful impact.
“This is a huge step in controlling your health,” said Grant, who has a degree in exercise and health science. “Obesity is a common denominator in many diseases — not only type 2 diabetes, but also heart disease and certain cancers.”
The program has also made a difference for 53-year-old Vevlyne Martin, who has lost more than 20 pounds and dropped three clothing sizes since class started. Martin attends a group coached by Tanner’s registered dietitian Sara Wilburn in Carrollton.
“I really don’t look at it as a diet. I look at it as a lifestyle change,” said Martin, who has boosted her exercise regimen with trail walking, exercise videos and a Zumba class.
Martin, who is a nurse at Tanner Advanced Wound Center, knows how dangerous diabetes is.
“I see people with diabetic wounds and amputations every week,” she said. “It’s an awful thing for people to go through, and I want to try to prevent that for myself."