Alice is living with prediabetes, but she’s taking an important step to reverse her risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Follow her health journey as she completes the Diabetes Prevention Program and travels the road to better health.
Part 4: Success!
Scaling Down
After 16 weekly sessions to help us eat better and move more, our core classes came to an end. We had been measuring our progress all along, but in the last weekly class, we had a final weigh-in, and got our blood sugar levels re-checked to see if they had decreased.
First came the weigh-in. I knew I had been losing weight, but it was time to find out where I stood as we ended the course. When I stepped on the scale, I could hardly believe it – I had lost 35 pounds since we started!
The hard work had paid off! The changes to my diet and my commitment to move more had really made a difference, and the feeling of accomplishment was sweeter than any dessert I’d ever tasted.
The Moment of Truth
Next came the blood test. I had been right on the cusp of developing diabetes when I started, but where was I now? As I got my finger pricked and sat waiting for the results, I thought, “Was I really able to get my number down and lessen my risk for diabetes?”
A few moments later, I had my answer – I’d lowered my blood sugar to 5.8, a substantial decrease from where I’d started, and a big step toward reducing my diabetes risk. I was so excited that I’d actually made a difference in my health, and I said to myself “Yes! I did this!”
Looking Back – and Forging Ahead
Looking back on the class, I can see what contributed to my success. The course makes things so simple and easy to understand – no complex guidelines or contradictory advice. Keeping track of my food and activity keeps me accountable for my choices and motivated to keep them up. And, the support of my classmates has been invaluable as we learn from one another, share our successes and setbacks, and give each other the encouragement to keep going.
I’m proud of myself for what I’ve achieved, but I know my journey isn’t over. Lifestyle changes are meant to be just that – changes that you keep up for life. Our class now meets monthly until the year-long program is complete, and these check-ins help reinforce our commitment.
As for me, I feel great knowing I’ve reduced my risk of Type 2 diabetes through the
Diabetes Prevention Program. I’m in control of my choices, and I’m in control of my health!
