Carol Worst was born and raised in Licking County.  She attended Heath High School and received her teaching degree from The Ohio State University – Newark.  Carol retired from teaching for Newark City Schools after 35 years of service.  After a visit with her primary care physician, Marita L. Moore, M.D., of Licking Memorial Family Practice – Doctors Park 2, Carol was diagnosed with prediabetes, blood sugar levels that are elevated but not enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.  Without lifestyle changes or medication, adults and children with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  Carol began taking medications and working to lower her blood sugar level.

“Last year, I received a letter from Licking Memorial Health Systems informing me that I was eligible to participate in the free Diabetes Prevention Program – Go Healthy!”  Carol explained.  “I thought the accountability of the program was what I needed to make the lifestyle changes necessary to better my health and stop taking the medication, so I enrolled.  My father was diagnosed with diabetes and had to have insulin injections.  I did not want to endure the same experience.”

Through the program, Carol learned that making lifestyle changes was not a quick, easy process.  The coaches explained the importance of making a commitment to build healthy habits and instructed the group to take small steps toward the larger goals.  The Lifestyle Coaches discussed a number of different strategies such as making healthy food choices and the importance of physical activity.

“The coaches are very knowledge and easy to talk to about the challenges of making lifestyle changes.  They were respectful of our time and kind to everyone,” Carol shared.  “They never judged or tried to make participants feel guilty about their habits.  The material they covered during the classes was excellent.  Every meeting we were asked about our successes and failures, and that accountability was important for me to keep working to build the healthy habits.”

Carol admitted that she had tried other weight loss programs.  While she did have some success in the other programs, she would revert to following unhealthy habits once the program was complete.  She was not focused on changing her lifestyle.  She only focused on the requirements of the program, so she could not sustain true weight loss.  During the Go Healthy! program, Carol learned to write down what she was consuming and when she exercised.  This habit helped her understand the idea of calorie intake versus calorie output, and the visualization assisted in keeping her on-track.

“Seeing the information on paper made a big difference for me.  Another important lesson they taught me was meal planning.  Even if I am going to dine at a restaurant, I plan ahead.  I look at the menu online and know exactly what healthy items are available to choose from so that I can make an informed choice,” Carol said.  “The year-long process of the program was also very beneficial.  When the program ended, the coaches touched base with us a month later to ask about our progress.  I was so grateful to be able to tell them I was continuing to follow my new healthy habits.”

Since her retirement, Carol feels she has more time to be active.  She is enjoying the opportunities to find fun activities to keep her moving.  Her blood sugar levels have dropped, she has lost weight, and her energy level is up.  While she is still taking medication to prevent diabetes, Carol hopes that Dr. Moore will soon agree that Carol no longer needs the medication.