The Twilight Branch of the Topeka Lions Club have taken on the challenge to provide a service to the community that focuses on Diabetes. Lions International has five focuses including: Diabetes · Vision · Hunger · Environment · Childhood Cancer.
The Lions Club has partnered with Midland Care and 24 for Life to host Community Walk / Passport to Health on June 18, 2022, The event will be held from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Gage Park, Corral #2, 4330 SW Conservatory Dr.
“We wanted there to be no barrier to have members of our community come take a walk in the park and learn more about the risks of Type 2 diabetes, so we are offering this as a FREE Event,” said Irene Haws, President of the Topeka Twilight Lions.
Participants will have a chance to win prizes at the kid-friendly event, and dogs are also welcome on leashes.
Participants can save time by signing up in advance and taking the risk test for pre-diabetes online. Doing so will earn them additional chances in the prize drawing after completing the walk and getting their passport stamped. Both links are at www.topekalions.org/community-walk. Topeka Lions Foundation, a registered non profit organization, is still accepting donated prizes to be awarded. Anyone wishing to donate a prize can contact Irene Haws, 785-249-1913.
24 for Life Offers Lifestyle Change & Prevents Type 2 Diabetes
As summertime arrives, we begin to awaken from our wintertime routines. Perhaps that means taking walks, riding a bike, or spending time in the garden. If you’re having a hard time getting back into the swing of your activities, consider 24 for Life, a Diabetes prevention program. The 24 for Life program will help teach you simple ways to be more active, eat healthier, and develop lasting habits.
Thanks to a grant with the American Diabetes Association, participants who qualify as pre diabetic can be a part of this 24 for Life Program at no cost.
In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
READ: Topeka’s 24 for Life program earns CDC recognition
With the 24 for Life program, you are given a trained lifestyle coach that will lead the program in a way that helps you make adjustments in your lifestyle such as eating healthier, reducing stress, and getting more physical activity. The research from the CDC shows that making modest behavior changes helped participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. These lifestyle changes reduced the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 58 percent in people with prediabetes.
These modifications easily fit into your already busy lives. As these participant experiences show, you can be successful. The group support you will receive from those on the journey alongside you will be invaluable as you share your goals and struggles.
“The program reminds us of how to overcome stress in our lives and how it can affect our health. We talk through all the ways to help us get through these stressful times,” said Vanessa, a 24 for Life participant. “I was devastated when the doctor said I was prediabetic and I needed to start medication. Honestly, I was reluctant to start 24 for Life, but knew it was for my own good and besides, it was totally free. My first goal was to lose 5% of my weight, but at the half-way point, I lost 10%! My doctor even cut my medication in half,” said Kelly, a 24 for Life participant.
During each session, your lifestyle coach will facilitate a lesson and group discussion. Some examples, of the things we will learn along the way are how to:
- Eat healthier
- Add physical activity to your life
- Manage stress
- Stay on track when eating out
- Understand your responses to food
- Stay motivated
- Solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes
If you’re interested in learning more about 24 for Life visit www.midlandcare.org/24forLife or contact Donna Doel at 785-250-5210
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice
Go here to visit the Topeka Metro Voice Facebook page for local event notices, breaking news and local announcements. To help us spread the word, and to continue seeing our posts on your Facebook feed, “Like” the page and then like or share a story now and then, so that they will keep showing up in your feed.
