“I had every excuse not to do something. But I decided I didn’t want one more illness controlling my life.” - Sarah, YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program participant.
After years of managing multiple autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, and reduced mobility, Sarah’s health had reached a turning point. Following her husband’s cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2024, Sarah was diagnosed with prediabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease.
“We watched him fight for his life so he could stay with us,” Sarah said. “I realized I needed to do the same thing for myself.”
Sarah has already spent years trying to improve her health on her own. She would make progress, then experience pain flareups or mobility setbacks that made it difficult to stay active. She said the YMCA’s year-long Diabetes Prevention Program felt different because it focused on gradual, sustainable changes and consistent support over time.
Learning a New Approach to Health
The program helped Sarah rethink her relationship with food and nutrition. Instead of focusing only on calories or carbohydrates, she learned how protein, fiber, meal timing, and nutrition labels all work together to support long-term health.
“I was already in a calorie deficit, but I wasn’t doing it the right way,” she said. "Learning how to eat more protein and more fiber and making small changes consistently really made the difference.”
The group setting also helped keep her accountable and connected. While she initially felt nervous about participating in a group program, Sarah said hearing from others going through similar challenges became one of the most encouraging parts of the experience.
Progress Beyond the Scale
By the end of the first year of the program, Sarah was no longer considered prediabetic and no longer had high blood pressure. She also lost 31% of her body weight during the program’s first year.
Today, she spends between 40 minutes and two hours most days staying active through walking, gardening, strength training, physical therapy exercises, and everyday movement.
The changes have also opened doors for experiences Sarah once thought were out of reach.
Before joining the program, even short walks could leave her struggling to breathe due to an undiagnosed hernia. Now, she and her family have started hiking together, including a trip to Mount Rainier during her first year in the program.
Looking Ahead
This summer, Sarah is especially excited about taking her daughter to the fair and riding rides together for the first time.
“I haven’t been able to fit in the rides before,” she said. “Now, we’re planning to go and really enjoy it.”
Sarah says one of the biggest lessons she learned was to stop waiting for the “perfect” time to make changes.
“I had every excuse not to do something,” Sarah said. "But I decided I didn’t want one more illness controlling my life.”
Today, she continues participating in the YMCA program for a second year to help reinforce the healthy habits she’s built and continue moving forward one step at a time.
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