Tina Braet-Thomas

Healthy living is an ongoing journey — one that’s important to keep you energized for the things that matter most. Celebrate the people and activities you love by prioritizing healthy habits to keep living your best life. 

Did you know that 88 million adults in the United States have a condition called prediabetes? This means a person’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. While prediabetes can be reversible, type 2 diabetes can’t — and it can lead to increased risk for other serious health problems like heart attack, blindness and kidney failure.

If you have prediabetes, there are healthy changes you can make that can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. PREVENT T2 is a lifestyle change program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) designed to help you do just that.

Powell Valley Healthcare — in collaboration with Northwest College Community Education Department — will offer the program in the new year, with the first session starting Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The program will be held at NWC’s Trapper West campus in the community education building at 1397 Fort Drum Dr.  PREVENT T2 is facilitated by trained lifestyle coaches Tina Braet-Thomas, MA, RDN, LD and CDCES, and Mary Neal, RDN. Our goal is to help you enhance your life with healthy habits that work for you.

What will the lifestyle change program help you do?

Eat healthier: Eating a balance of healthy foods is one of the biggest factors in losing weight and having better health overall. Small swaps like switching out starchy vegetables like potatoes for leafy greens like a salad can make a big impact. You’ll also learn how reducing portion sizes lets you enjoy some of your favorite foods while limiting unhealthy amounts of salt, fat, and sugar.

Get more physical activity: Learn ways to move more that you’ll actually enjoy! You don’t have to run for miles or spend hours in the gym to be active. Something as simple as a walk with a friend or your partner or dancing to some music while doing household chores can improve your health and energy. 

Manage stress: Stress affects your health in many ways, and learning to reduce stress can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Getting eight hours of sleep each night and building in short breaks at work are examples of stress management methods that make a difference for your health. 

With practical tips that are proven to work, you’ll develop habits that will last long after the program is done. By losing 5-7% of your body weight (10-14 pounds for a 200-pound adult) and adding 150 minutes of weekly physical activity to your routine, you can cut your risk for type 2 diabetes in half.

Instead of taking away from what you enjoy doing or how you spend your time, we can help you make small changes that fit into your lifestyle. You’ll do all of this with the support of your lifestyle coach during group sessions with others also looking to reverse prediabetes. Living healthier may feel overwhelming, but with a team behind you, you can achieve your goals and make positive changes for the future. 

So, ready to get started? Learn more about prediabetes and the lifestyle change program by calling Braet-Thomas at 307-754-2267, ext. 3604 or emailing tbraet@pvhc.org to secure your place.

We’re here to support you on your health journey so you don’t have to do it alone. Sign up today to find a community working to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes so you can keep on celebrating the life you love, all year long.

(Tina Braet-Thomas is a registered dietitian, certified diabetic educator and certified lifestyle coach at Powell Valley Healthcare.)