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Living a healthy lifestyle is about making good choices.
The food you eat and the exercise you do in your daily life are important parts of your personal health journey, and impact the risks associated with developing prediabetes — a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes.
To illustrate the importance of making healthy choices and how this can affect your chances of developing prediabetes, take a walk with the two members below by clicking on the navigation buttons in each of their stories.
See how the risks in each of their profiles and the paths they have chosen made an impact on their health, and which path is the best for you to take.
More than 1 in 3 of 84.1 million American adults have prediabetes.
9 out of 10 people with prediabetes don’t know they have it.
- John is 58 years old
- 20 pounds overweight
- Smokes cigarettes socially
- Performs no routine exercise
- Forgets to take his high blood pressure medication 2-3x/week
John completed a CDC Prediabetes Risk Test. He understands that better choices need to be made to live a healthier life.
John enters a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Programs offered include Brook+, Inspired Health and WNYICC.
Actively participating in DPP activities, John is eating healthier foods and exercising more.
John completed the one-year program and lost 5% of his body weight. He also has a normal blood sugar level.
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- Julie is 48 years old
- Has a history of gestational diabetes
- Father and brother have Type 2 diabetes
- Primary doctor classifies her weight as obese
- Does not watch what she eats
- Eats out 5x/week
Julie continued to make unhealthy lifestyle choices. Her behavior and ongoing actions have put her health at risk.
Julie’s Annual Well Visit with her doctor showed she had gained 10 more pounds, and her lab work showed her blood sugar levels have continued to increase to a level of Type 2 diabetes.
Julie now has Type 2 diabetes, and all the health risks associated with it.
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When comparing the paths that John and Julie had taken relative to identifying and managing their Type 2 diabetes risk factors, it’s clear that John had found greater success in his journey.
It’s important to note, however, that everyone’s journey is different, and that’s okay! Actions taken need to become habits that fit into your individual life. Julie is on the right path, and is taking advantage of the Tools, Medication and Health Tips available to achieve success on her journey toward a healthier life.
Getting Started: The Path to a Healthier Future.
Tools
Coming Soon - Chat
Chat with one of our knowledgeable RedShirts about our plans or get information to better serve your clients.
Meet Your RedShirt Team
If you have questions about our plans or need information to better serve your clients; a local, dedicated RedShirt is just a phone call or click away.
Registered Dietitian
Get advice and guidance on nutrition for FREE from a participating dietitian
Access to dietitians is also available through our Brook Health Companion or Foodsmart™ tools.
Brook Health Companion
Get the support you need any day of the year through your smartphone. Use online chat or talk with a live health coach to track your results, answer day-to-day questions, set up medication reminders and much more.
Medication
Metformin
- A prescription medication recommended for people with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes
- Lowers your risk for heart disease (heart attack or stroke)
- Does NOT cause low blood sugars
- Does NOT cause weight gain — averaging 5-10 pounds weight loss
- LOW costs ($0 – $10 per prescription)
Health Tips & Resources
Small Steps = Big Changes
- Try walking more — increase your number of steps per day
- Cut out sugary drinks from your diet (juices and soda)
- Quit smoking. It’s never too late to quit.
- Get nutritional advice from an expert (see Tools section)
- Set a realistic goal and lose weight
- Make healthier meals using our Foodsmart tool
- Continue taking your blood pressure or cholesterol medication, as prescribed by your physician
- Get live or online chat support to manage your diabetes using the Brook Health Companion
A variety of Diabetes Prevention Programs are available:
Last Updated 2021 IH31185