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Defeat Diabetes Foundation

Defeat Diabetes
Foundation
150 153rd Ave,
Suite 300
Madeira Beach, FL 33708

DIABeducation™

By Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE

A Personal Perspective of the Diabetes Prevention Program

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be involved in a landmark research study? Fate allowed me the opportunity to take a peek inside the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), the major study that showed 58 percent of people at high risk for getting diabetes could prevent it. How? By eating less fat and fewer calories, exercising 150 minutes a week (a little over 20 minutes a day), and losing 7 percent of body weight.

While attending the Humor Project conferencl, I randomly met Eugene Goldstein, a humor enthusiast who happened to be enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program. We connected recently to discuss his experience in the DPP. Eugene agreed to answer a few specific questions.

Eugene Goldstein

How did you hear about or get selected for the DPP?

By accident. I was at a health fair for business reasons when I learned about the DPP. I figured, “Why not?” They did a blood test, took my history. At the time, in September 1996, I weighed 234 pounds.

What personal insights have you learned by participating in the DPP?

I have a problem with food. Even when I’m full, I still want to eat. I learned I could lose weight. My knowledge about diet and exercise in general increased, as did my knowledge about diabetes. At first, taking 10,000 steps a day would wipe me out. Now I feel better about myself mentally and physically. I learned about the harmful effects of some foods I used to think were OK. For example, a seemingly innocent tuna sandwich. You think it’s healthy, but it turns out not to be so because of the amount of fat in the mayonnaise. I didn’t know about the health of food until I looked it up in DPP manuals given to us.

What would you like to share with others as a result of your involvement with the DPP?

The power of the mind is important. Everyone is different. You have to make a choice at some point. Diabetes is a life threatening situation. I came to the realization that my life depended on it—literally, so I began to change how I ate. Healthy food can taste good. If I had to eat food that wasn’t enjoyable, I wouldn’t bother. Sometimes, the people in your life can be a barrier. Family, friends and co-workers can be a negative force when you are trying to do something positive (“It’s just a little piece of cake—it won’t hurt you”). Also, I advise your readers not to follow any fad diets, or to use food as a reward or as a way to cope. As a result of the DPP, the term impaired glucose tolerance was changed to prediabetes.

Any closing thoughts?

I am thankful for all the people that helped me. I made a lot of changes in my life and the DPP is a great, positive group that helped make it possible. We now meet every three months. Our next meeting is October 29th when the New York chapter of the DPP, along with lead physician Dr. Sandra Foo, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I am amazed more people don’t take advantage of the program.

Thank you Eugene for sharing this one-of-a-kind experience that can make the difference for preventing type 2 diabetes. He is living proof of the Diabetes Prevention Program’s success; you can be successful too.