Over the years we’ve come to love the South Sound YMCA for many reasons. They offer an array of family friendly fitness opportunities, education, and amazing community resources. Now they’re branching out in more pro-active, prevention ways by offering nutrition consultations, blood pressure checks, and soon diabetes prevention classes.
The American Diabetes Association states that over 8% of our population is living with diabetes, with 79 million cases classified as ‘prediabetes.’ As they explain, prediabetes is “a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with prediabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke.” In 2012, known cases of diabetes cost our country $245 billion dollars in direct medical costs and reduced productivity. If prediabetes cases can be minimized at the outset or stopped from progressing, that’s a wealth of savings for everyone.
Prediabetes isn’t a guarantee that you’ll progress into type 2 diabetes. Explains the American Diabetes Association, “You will not develop type 2 diabetes automatically if you have prediabetes. For some people with prediabetes, early treatment can actually return blood glucose levels to the normal range. Research shows that you can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes by 58% by: losing 7% of your body weight… [and] exercising moderately (such as brisk walking) 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Don’t worry if you can’t get to your ideal body weight. Losing even 10 to 15 pounds can make a huge difference.”
This is where the South Sound YMCA can help. Not only do they offer fitness for every level, whether through gym facilities, personal training, and their beautiful swimming pool, they provide classes and education year round.
Though the newly created Diabetes Prevention Program is currently held only at local state agencies, public classes should begin later this year. Qualified participants currently receive a complimentary three-month family membership when enrolled and are offered nutrition and personal training support at a discounted rate.
South Sound YMCA Senior Program Director in Health Innovations Heather Racca explains that the community classes will cost an additional fee on top of normal membership but the rewards are tremendous. They are proud that “programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program reduce the number of new cases of diabetes by 58% overall and by 71% in individuals over age 60.”
Questions about the upcoming class offerings can be directed to Heather at 360-918-0304. Enrollees must be certified prediabetic and not clinically advanced into type 2 diabetes. The program is a one-year community based endeavor supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, and other national organizations.
The South Sound YMCA offers something for everyone, now more than ever. As the program’s motto states: big rewards, small steps. Sometimes that’s all it takes to change your life for the better, and if you’ve got the support of your community and caring mentors like those at the Y, success is almost guaranteed.
