Improved health thanks to the National Diabetes Prevention Program
Carol Fairfield had been heavy all her life. Her mother suffered from diabetes and she knew she was at risk of getting it herself if she didn’t do something.
When she retired in 2017, the 67-year-old Benton resident tried to sign up for the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) through MaineGeneral, but it was full.
Carol persisted, and when she did sign up for the class, she committed to it fully. With great results!
“At my biggest, I weighed close to 300 pounds. Now I weigh 199.5,” Carol says proudly. “I haven't been below 200 for more than 54 years! It feels fabulous and I owe it all to the program. I have more to go, but I’m more than pleased with where I am and know I’ll get there.”
If you're an adult like Carol at risk for developing type 2 diabetes or have pre-diabetes, the NDPP can give you tools to stay healthy and prevent the disease.
The program is free and provides access to a lifestyle coach in a weekly one-hour group setting. The group meets for 16 weekly sessions, then every other week for the rest of the year. NDPP’s focus is on gradual lifestyle changes, resulting in fat and calorie reduction and increased physical activity.
“It’s easy to do, and it fits into my life,” Carol says. “Simple one-at-a-time things can lead to big successes. I have a lot more energy and stamina, and I feel amazing, like I’m 17 again. I used to hate exercising and could barely handle 15 minutes at the beginning. Now I’ve joined Silver Sneakers and can do an hour. Zumba, weights, resistance training - I love it!”
Carol especially liked the group sessions for their camaraderie, support and accountability.
“We shared all kinds of ideas for foods, recipes, exercises, you name it, and we cheered each other on,” she says. “We had a great course book that I still use all the time. So much information in one place!”
The book Carol is referring to is a binder that is put together throughout the program. Each week participants receive handouts to add to their binders. The handouts reference the content to be discussed in that session. Topics include getting and staying active, eating well, stress management and much more.
“NDDP helps people eat healthier and move more and also discusses things that prevent us or challenge us in accomplishing those two things – stress, eating away from home, all of those outside influences that can take us off track from accomplishing our health goals,” explains Melissa Emmons, who is a NDPP group facilitator and also a programs coordinator for MaineGeneral’s Peter Alfond Prevention & Healthy Living Center.
Carol credits Melissa for helping to keep her on track.
“Melissa was an amazing coach, very nice and so positive and easy to relate to," she says.
Melissa said Carol exemplifies what the NDPP is all about.
“She started the program by making small changes to what she was eating so the changes were manageable for her. As those changes started to become habit, she made other small changes to eat healthier and move more," she says. "All those small changes added up to big change. She continually tracked everything she was eating and drinking which held her accountable to herself.”
Carol has signed up for a second round of the class as she continues to work toward her goals. Her two adult sons are very proud of her – and she’s very proud of herself.
“This program has changed my life,” she says. “If I hadn’t done it, I can’t think about where I’d be today. I’ve learned so much and will stay with this program for the rest of my life. I wish everyone could do this.”
To learn more about the National Diabetes Prevention Program, please call MaineGeneral’s Peter Alfond Prevention & Healthy Living Center at (207) 872-4102 or toll-free at (855) 464-4463.
