LifeStyle Balance Class for Pre-Diabetes Begins September 7th

After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, Glendive Medical Center (GMC) is pleased to offer the Lifestyle Balance nutrition and exercise program to individuals who have, or at risk for, prediabetes. Cost for the year-long program is $200 (scholarships are available) and the deadline for registration is August 26th. The class allows those who have risk factors or prediabetes an opportunity to make lasting, healthy lifestyle changes, aiming to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

LifeStyle Balance is based on the National Diabetes Prevention Program developed by the CDC. The class covers 23 sessions over a one year period with a format of 8 weekly sessions over the first two months, then twice monthly sessions over four months, scaffolding to monthly sessions for seven months. The new session will begin September 7th and meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 5:15pm – 6:15pm in the Carney Conference Center located in the lower level of Glendive Medical Center.

“The LifeStyle Balance class has had tremendous success since we have implemented it,” stated Penny Maher, RN and “The sessions are designed to provide information, support, and tools to create a lifelong change of habits that have a high success rate among the individuals who have participated”.

To be eligible for the program, a participant must have an annual blood wellness panel taken within the last 12 months prior to the September start date. GMC offers these panels at a discounted rate in their lab – no appointment necessary. Participants must be 18 years or older, have a BMI of 25 or higher, plus one or more of the following risk factors: Diagnosis of prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance), A1C 5.7 to 6.4%, Blood pressure 130/80 mgHg or higher, Current treatment for high blood pressure, Triglycerides 150 mg/dL or higher, LDL Cholesterol 130 mg/dL or higher, current treatment for high cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol <40 mg/dL for men, <50 mg/dL for women, a history of Gestational Diabetes or having a baby >9 lbs, or score 5 or higher on the American Diabetes Association Risk Test.

For more information on the class, please contact Penny Maher, RN at 406-345-3309 or email pemaher@gmc.org.