NEW SCOTLAND — Local residents who are worried about developing diabetes can attend a free 16-week prevention workshop at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center this May.

After completing the Living Healthy New York diabetes prevention workshop in Colonie, Senior Outreach Liaison for New Scotland Susan Kidder arranged to have the series of free workshops offered in New Scotland.

The program helps people in the United States who are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes prevent or delay the disease by suggesting modest lifestyle changes.

“I started a year ago,” said Kidder, who lost 55 pounds with the program.

The program helps participants meet a goal of losing 5 to 7 percent of their starting body weight, and reach and maintain 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.

Kidder, 65, found that she had trouble with one of her toes, and a doctor told her that neuropathy related to diabetes could start five years before the onset of the disease.

“If you lose 7 percent of existing weight, you can stave this off a little while,” she said.

“I’m not diabetic, and that’s what I was aiming for. I want to stop that before it starts,” Kidder said.

Those who had babies over nine pounds or who had gestational diabetes; have a family member with diabetes; are overweight; get little daily exercise; or are over 45 years old could be at risk for the disease.

In the program, a trained lifestyle coach works with a class to help its members reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes through weight loss from healthy eating, physical activity, and identifying and addressing barriers to healthy eating and physical activity.

“It’s phenomenal,” Kidder said. “It’s such a learning thing. I thought I knew everything, but I didn’t. It’s been really, really easy. I’ve been on every diet under the sun — the grapefruit diet, the cabbage soup diet.”

Kidder has maintained her weight loss and activity levels, she said.

“It’s a way of life now. I eat a cookie once in a while. I do eat ice cream once in a while. I go to the Chinese buffet. I’m not hungry by any means,” she said.

Kidder makes choices daily, such as whether or not to have ice cream or a serving of blueberries, she said.

“Physically, I can’t do the exercise suggested, but that’s OK. I do the best I can,” she said.
The workshop series will begin Wednesday, May 13, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the community center.