The following is a story from Deborah Manasco, a Montgomery diabetes prevention program participant.
Deborah Manasco
I joined a diabetes prevention class called Change Your Lifestyle. Change Your Life. (CYL2) in Oct. 2019 due to a family history of diabetes and my weight struggle. I’m physically active and make sound and deliberate nutritional choices but have always carried 15-20 pounds more than I should. My husband and I shop/cook together and usually make healthy choices and practice nutritional label-reading — low fat, low sodium, low sugar, limited red meat, high fiber, tons of fresh/frozen fruits and vegetables, etc. I have good nutrition and activity practices so it has been frustrating that I have not been able to lose weight.
Initially, the class moved too slowly and I heard nothing I had not heard many times previously. I decided to hang with it awhile longer to see if I got any results. My initial goal was to lose about 11 pounds.
Activity minutes were easy for me. I do 4-6 exercise classes weekly at the YMCA and I’ve always had an active lifestyle with horses and a farm. I also have good water intake practices.
The food log was difficult for me. I didn’t like the form provided and was told I could try whatever worked for me. I began a spiral notebook noting only the specifics that mattered to me and developed a system that allows me to keep food/activity logs in one place on the kitchen counter with weekly beginning/ending weight/activity information along with noting weekly challenges. The notebook allows me to look back on weeks I didn’t experience success for hints why, and visa versa. Looking back also empowers me how to look forward!
The food log brought my attention to how much I was consuming. I make TONS of healthy choices but I seriously overeat. By practicing better portion control, I started losing weight slowly and on April 6, 2020, I reached my (CYL2) weight goal and reset my personal goal. Some challenges have included birthdays, holidays, injury, and Coronavirus. I can’t lose every week, and some weeks I gain a little, but I now have a personal weekly 2-pound reset rule. If I maintain or lose weight, I rejoice in the positive and move on. If I gain 2 pounds, I reevaluate, but I do it with valuable information — what challenges jeopardized my goal? How do I avoid, address, or plow through that challenge in the future?
CYL2 has helped me identify issues and challenges about my weight and provided insight on how to beat them. Carol Landreau, my coach, has provided outstanding guidance and a learning opportunity that has allowed me to do it MY WAY, which I believe means I’ll hold onto my lessons learned. Thanks Carol and The Wellness Coalition for this excellent opportunity!
About CYL2
Change Your Lifestyle. Change Your Life. is a free diabetes prevention program provided by The Wellness Coalition.
Click here to learn more about the program.
Click here to take a short quiz to see if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.