Bobbi Hyrman misses movie popcorn. But, for the most part, she says she lost more than 100 pounds without drastic life changes.
Hyrman, who went from 358 pounds to about 255 pounds in less than a year through the Washington State University Clark County Extension Diabetes Prevention Program, opted for walking to the movie theater about a mile away from her Vancouver home instead of driving.
Hyrman, 38, also began to track her calories with an app. The week after she started, she went to the movies, checked the popcorn’s calorie count and thought: “Oh, this is very sad.”
“I do miss movie popcorn,” Hyrman said.
That’s a small sacrifice, one of a handful of such changes Hyrman had to make while enrolled in the prevention program.
DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
Pre-registration is now open for the next Diabetes Prevention Program. The group will meet from 12:30-1:30 p.m. or 5-6 p.m. Mondays, starting Oct. 8. Classes are held at WSU Clark County Extension at The Heritage Farm, 1919 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver. Space is limited. For more information or to find out if you’re eligible, call 360-397-6060 ext. 5721.
The program, which is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a one-year lifestyle program supporting people in efforts to reduce their risk for Type 2 diabetes. The program is led by Amy Cooley, a lifestyle coach, and involves weekly group meetings.
“It’s about getting over that diet mentality,” Cooley said. “Some people think it’s all about losing weight.”
But Cooley said the aim is to be healthy, not to improve your appearance.
A recent CDC report showed that 4.3 percent of adults with diabetes don’t know they have it. The CDC also reported that more than 30 millions Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and around 90 to 95 percent of them have Type 2 diabetes, sometimes called adult onset diabetes. It is linked to sedentary lifestyle and poor diet.
Hyrman’s biggest exercise change involved walking more often, which is important since she works an IT desk job. She set a goal of 6,000 steps per day, and while she doesn’t have structured times committed to exercise, she is able to meet her goal through getting to work early and walking around the office, walking to the theater, walking around her house or the neighborhood, and even walking around while watching video on her phone.
“This is really a lifestyle program, so I don’t feel like I’m really restricted because I know I would not do well with a bunch of rules and regulations,” Hyrman said. “This is so much of a tool. It’s just learning how to live your life and understand what you’re eating and how it impacts your body.”
Hyrman said she has exchanged peanut butter for peanut butter powder (“which is delicious,” she adds), and eats more fruit and vegetables. She’s also emphasized eating leaner meats such as pork and chicken, instead of red meat.
With the lifestyle program, you’re focusing on healthy decisions that you want to make. Hyrman likes her extra walks and has gotten some hikes in with her husband, Josh. She also likes many of the new foods she’s discovered or started eating more consistently. Her breakfast might include a healthier cereal choice, and she likes to eat rice bowls with different kinds of meats and vegetables.
“I learned that somehow I’ve lived all these years, and I’ve never really understood food,” Hyrman said.
Hyrman entered the program with low expectations, and recommends the same approach to newcomers. At the end of the day, it’s supposed to feel natural.
“Don’t overly stress about it,” Hyrman said. “I think some people think it’s more than it is. But don’t set yourself up with high expectations. Just go in expecting to learn a lot, and just live your life and incorporate this new stuff into your life, and make it part of you.”
