Prediabetic? What Now?

Making lifestyle changes to eat better and exercise can be tough. But there is some really good news. Even a small amount of weight loss can reduce your risk and you don’t have to make changes alone. National Diabetes Prevention Programs and classes across the county are growing to provide people the tools to make significant improvements to their health.

Click here to find more information about these classes.

Corinne Scott’s Experience

Area resident Corinne Scott said she knew she was at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes after her doctor diagnosed her with prediabetes. She also knew that if she wanted to avoid developing the chronic disease, she would need help. Scott enrolled in an NDPP class in Duluth a year ago and recently completed the program.

“I really enjoyed the group,” she said. “I learned a lot and was able to really stick with it. The people in the class were great and they all wanted the same thing I wanted, which was to be healthier.”

Along with shedding her prediabetes diagnosis, Scott also shed more than 50 pounds of her body weight. She said she has a lot more energy and is committed to staying active.

“I never used to like walking,” she said. “Actually, I would do anything to avoid it. Now it’s just one of the many things I do to reach my goal of 150 minutes of exercise each week.”

On average, class participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight through small changes in eating and exercise habits. The impact is much greater than just the weight loss, though - research has shown that 10 years after taking the class, participants still had a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.