“Hey, do you have a minute?”
We typically respond “yes” to this common request from family, coworkers and neighbors almost without thinking.
Do it a little differently on Tuesday, March 22. On that day – Diabetes Alert Day – give yourself time to take a 60-second quiz to assess your risk for prediabetes, the precursor to Type 2 diabetes. Although one in three Americans has prediabetes, most are completely unaware.
A score of 5 or higher is your wake-up call to take control of your health. U-M offers free Diabetes Prevention Programs as part of your Health Plan. Managing prediabetes can also help protect you from kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.
U-M Employee Takes Time for Herself
A year ago, U-M Clinical Research Project Manager Denise Cornish-Zirker made a decision. Despite the challenges of work, family and the COVID-19 pandemic, she would carve out time to participate in the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s (NKFM) Diabetes Prevention Program.
Cornish-Zirker, who has been with U-M for 31 years, said her cholesterol was too high and “my blood pressure was creeping.” As an African American, her risk for diabetes was twice as high as a White woman of the same age. It was time to prioritize her health.
Simple Goals, Simple Program
She began with simple goals: Focus on nutrition, increase activity and learn healthier practices. A year later, Cornish-Zirker is 10 pounds leaner, records 8,000 steps each day, and expects to see clinical improvement after new bloodwork is complete.
“We all know what we’re supposed to do,” she said. “But it’s easier said than done. This program was like a tool I could put in my toolbelt. Knowing I’d see these people every month and we’d hold each other accountable helped abundantly. It was better than trying to do it on my own.”
After she was accepted into the program, Cornish-Zirker received a digital scale that connected to a health app. Frequent weigh-ins helped her stay mindful of nutrition choices.
“I started weighing myself every day, which I’d never done before,” she said. “Every day, I’d check in with the app, where I could track my weight, meals and activity. It definitely made me more conscious."
The Value of Virtual
Cornish-Zirker and other participants met through Zoom each month for guided discussions led by "Coach Janet." They completed workbooks, shared tips and recipes, and connected with Janet individually. Cornish-Zirker said it was an ideal system for her.
“It was in the middle of COVID, but it was convenient,” she said. “It was all virtual, so I could participate using my cell phone or computer.”
Although she’d been involved in similar programs before, Cornish-Zirker said this was the first to focus on certain nutritional aspects such as fat grams. By making a few nutritional changes, increasing activity and leaning on the group for support, she met her goals.
Time Well Spent
The group recently held its final Zoom meeting of the year-long program, but members weren’t ready to disband yet. Cornish-Zirker said they’ve asked the NKFM if it would be willing to continue the program. If not, they plan to host reunions on their own to keep on track.
Cornish-Zirker is candid when she admits that when she joined the DPP, she wasn’t sure if she’d stay faithful. “It’s worth the time,” she said now, a year of progress later, “to invest in yourself.”
Time to Get Started
If you’re ready to take a minute like Denise Cornish-Zirker did, getting started is simple. The DPP programs are open to U-M Health Plan members and dependents. Check your eligibility to get started on a minute that could change your health – and maybe your life.
