Talk to your friends and family and let them know that they have the power to prevent diabetes. Most people do not know if they have prediabetes. Your friends and family could have prediabetes if:

• Someone in their family has diabetes or
• They weigh more than they should or
• They had diabetes when they were pregnant or
• They had a baby weighing over 9 pounds at birth or
• A doctor or nurse has told them they have a “touch of sugar”, “borderline diabetes” or “prediabetes”

Encourage them to have their blood sugar checked at the clinic or at one of our upcoming community screenings—see the schedule below.

Community Screening Schedule

FDL Community Center:
Wednesday, January 17th 11:00-2:00

The Center for American Indian Resources:
Monday, January 22nd 11:00-2:00

Drop In Center:
Tuesday, January 23rd 11:00-2:00

Here’s what some of the FDL Diabetes Prevention Program participants have to say about the program:

From Lorri Antus -
Joining the DPP was the best thing I’ve done in a long time. I’m learning what foods are better for me and reading labels for fat content in everything I buy. It’s important that those of us who are prone to diabetes learn more about how to change our old habits so we can try and prevent getting it.

From Dave Dupuis -
I got into the Diabetes Prevention Program so I would not get diabetes. I wanted to lose weight and learn new ways of eating, learn what not to eat, and learn portion sizes. I’ve learned to eat healthy, be active, count calories and read labels. I’m positive and not negative about myself. I stick with my plan and don’t get stressed out.

From Barb Painter -
Being a participant in the Diabetes Prevention Program has changed my life. My family has a history of diabetes, both my mother and one of my daughters has this disease. Two of my three children weighed over 9 pounds at birth and I have also been overweight for years which I know means I have a greater chance of getting it too.

When my doctor first referred me to this program I really didn’t expect too much. I have gone on diets before, exercised before, but could never stick with a plan for very long. Somehow, the way this class worked totally changed my commitment to how I eat, exercise and look at life. I really understand now how eating foods in the right quantities makes a big difference in both diabetes prevention AND weight control. I also learned that I really need to do some exercise every single day, no skipping. The way they explained how losing just 15 pounds could greatly reduce my chances of getting diabetes really stuck with me. Because a lot of us often fall down on our first attempts at dieting and then give up, the program’s continual encouragement and message that “every day is a new day” really helped.

The factual information, incentives for progress, friendship, and support offered by this program have made an amazing difference in my life. I have met my first weight loss goal and have been able to reduce some of my medication. I have built in healthier eating habits wherever I can. Instead of taking animal crackers on a long bus trip recently, I took carrots and celery sticks. When I am at “coffee” with my friends, instead of sampling the rich cookies and cakes they offer, I make a point of just enjoying my coffee and avoiding the sweets. My son was recently married and I was able to stay on my program and actually lose weight throughout the extreme stress of wedding planning, extra people in the house, the groom’s dinner and actual wedding event.

This program has had a ripple effect on my whole family. There is no longer a cookie jar at Gramma’s house, my grandkids get fresh fruit instead. My daughters are changing their family eating plans because they saw what it did for me. Both have become more active and when we are together we spend less time sitting and more time exercising.

Please take the time to share this message with your family and friends. Encourage them to act now and prevent diabetes.

Did you know for every 2.2 pounds of body weight you lose you reduce your risk of diabetes by 13%?

For questions about this program, contact Chris Foss-Tietz at 878-3708.