Stay Active to Prevent

Session Focus

Staying active over the long term can help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

This session we will talk about:

• Some benefits of staying active
• Some challenges of staying active and ways to cope with them
• How far you've come since you started this program

You will also make a new action plan!

Tips:

Know your "why." Remind yourself every day why you want to stay active. Ask friends and family to remind you too.

Reward yourself. Give yourself small, non- food rewards for meeting your fitness goals. Ask family and friends to support you.

Teo's Story

Teo is at risk for type 2 diabetes. His doctor asks him to lose 20 pounds and aim for at least 150 minutes of activity each week.

With a lot of hard work, Teo reaches his weight and activity goals. His blood sugar is normal now. And his doctor says he's no longer at risk for type 2 diabetes.
But as time goes on, Teo's schedule gets busier. His wife starts going to night classes. So he needs to take over some of the household tasks that she used to do.

Teo now runs errands during his lunch break. As a result, he no longer has time to walk during lunch.
It's hard for Teo to find time to be active. Plus, he's met his weight-loss goal, so he feels less motivated. His fitness routine is slipping.

Teo decides to take action. He is active with his kids. Hegives himself small, non-food rewards for meeting his fitness goals. And he asks his kids to pitch in more with daily tasks so he has more time to be active.

Today, Teo's fitness routine is back on track. He plans to stay active over the long term. He wants to be healthy. Plus, he likes how he feels when he's active.

How to Cope with Challenges

It can be challenging to stay active over the long term. Here are some common challenges and ways to cope with them. Write your own ideas in the column that says "Other Ways to Cope." Check off each idea you try.

How I Will Stay Active

Why do you want to stay active over the long term?

What might make it challenging for you to stay active over the long term?

How will you cope with those challenges?

Tips for Staying Active Every Day

Small steps can help you stay active every day. Check off the ideas you want to try. Then try them! See how it goes.

Walk When You Can

At work, stretch and move around every 30 minutes.

Get off the bus or train a stop early and walk.

Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV.

Go up hills instead of around them.

Make a Saturday morning walk a habit.

Park farther from the store and walk.

Replace a Sunday drive with a Sunday walk.

Take a walk after dinner.

Take a walk during your work breaks.

Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.

Take your dog on longer walks.

Walk briskly in the mall.

Walk to the store.

Walk your children to school.

Move More at Home

Fix things around your home.

Mow your lawn with a push mower.

Paint your home.

Rake your lawn.

Shovel snow.

Sweep, mop, or vacuum your floor.

Wash your car by hand.

Live Actively

Avoid devices that do work for you, such as electric mixers.

Choose activities that you enjoy and that fit into your daily life.

Dance to music—alone, or with someone else.

Give yourself a small, non-food reward for meeting your fitness goals.

If you go to children's sports events, walk around instead of sitting still.

Join a walking or hiking group.

Lift weights or use resistance bands while you watch TV or videos.

March in place while you watch TV.

Play tag, Frisbee, or soccer with your kids or grandkids.

Try new physical activities.

Use a fitness app for your phone or computer.

Use a fitness video.