Small changes, life‑changing results- Pauline’s story

Pauline joined the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme after discovering she was at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes following a routine blood test. With a family history of diabetes, limited exercise levels and some excess weight, Pauline knew she needed to make changes to protect her long-term health—and Healthier You gave her the support and confidence to do just that.

“I was quite shocked when I found out I was at risk of diabetes. It came from a routine blood test, and although I thought I ate quite healthily, I wasn’t doing very much exercise. I don’t drink alcohol, but I knew there was a family history of diabetes and that I was a bit overweight. It really made me stop and think about my lifestyle.”

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is designed to support people who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes to make sustainable lifestyle changes. The service focuses on healthier eating, increasing physical activity and building long-term habits that reduce diabetes risk.

“Since starting the programme, I’ve made some simple but effective changes. I now make sure I walk for at least 30 minutes every day. What started as something I had to push myself to do has now become part of my daily routine. I also still aim to eat healthily, but the programme really helped me become more aware of portion sizes, which I hadn’t paid much attention to before.

“The results have been better than I ever expected. I’ve lost 11kg since starting the programme, which I’m incredibly proud of. Walking is much easier for me now, and I find that I can go for longer without feeling tired or uncomfortable. I feel fitter, more confident and much more in control of my health than I did before.

“Healthier You has had a real impact on my life. It’s made me properly think about what I eat and how active I am, and it’s helped me realise that small changes really can add up to something big. I don’t feel like I’ve been on a strict diet or had to overhaul everything at once—it’s been about building healthier habits that I can stick to.

“Overall, my experience has been extremely positive, and I would definitely encourage anyone who is offered the programme to take part. It’s supportive, practical and genuinely life changing.”