Mindful choices- Gill’s Story

Before Gill was referred onto the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, she was enjoying retirement and having fun with no major health concerns. However, she noticed she was slipping into some less-than-healthy habits around food and exercise.

Hear in her own words she managed to make the necessary changes needed to reduce his risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

“I didn’t have any serious issues, but I knew I could do better. I wanted to feel stronger and make healthier choices.”

Healthier You is a free, NHS-approved programme for people at risk of Type 2 Diabetes. It offers expert-led support to help participants eat well, move more, and take control of their health through simple, sustainable lifestyle changes.

“Since starting the programme, I have embraced a more active lifestyle. I’m committed to reaching 10,000 steps a day — and often exceed it. I’ve joined group exercise classes and even tried paddleboarding and Nordic walking. I’m doing more than I ever thought I would. Plus, it’s fun, and I feel great.”

Gill has also made thoughtful changes to her diet. She’s more mindful of portion sizes, and she’s working to reduce carbs and fats, aiming for more “good days than bad” each week.

The results speak for themselves: Gill has lost weight, improved her muscle tone, and boosted her stamina. But for her, the biggest change has been in her mindset.

“The course raised my awareness of how important diet and exercise really are. It’s helped me focus on reducing my cholesterol and improving my overall quality of life. With my new sense of energy and purpose, I am going to continue to build a lifestyle that supports my long-term health with what I’ve learned.”