Dear: ______

Congratulations on taking the first step in making lifestyle changes to help you prevent diabetes and lower your risk of heart disease!

What happens in the Group Lifestyle Balance ProgramTM? (GLB)

The GLB program focuses on 3 components: nutrition, activity and changes in behaviour.

As a participant you will work towards achieving 2 main goals:

  1. Increase your physical activity to a minimum of 150 minutes a week.
  2. Lose a minimum of 7% of your body weight.

Program lifestyle coaches will work with you, providing education and assistance to help you achieve these 2 goals. You will be monitored for one year and are required to attend group sessions to support you in reaching these goals.

Your Role as a Participant

  • Commit to a positive change in your diet and physical activity habits
  • Attend group sessions regularly
  • Actively participate in education sessions
  • Monitor your daily food intake and physical activity for one full year
  • Track and record information as requested for the program
  • Work toward achieving the programgoals and your own personal lifestyle goals

Our Role as Lifestyle Coaches

  • Set individual goals for participants with lifestyle changes in diet and physical activity
  • Provide education and tools that enable lifestyle changes
  • Lead group sessions and answer questions
  • Monitor weekly progress
  • Provide encouragement and counseling to overcome obstacles
  • Encourage participants to achieve their lifestyle goals

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be weighed?

Your weight is taken each week in private prior to the session and recorded. Topics about diet and exercise are presented and discussed in class.

I am worried about the physical activity part of the program and have not been very active in the past. What kind of physical activity will I have to do?

The GLB program is designed to help you gradually and safely reach a goal of 150 minutes of physical activity per week, such as brisk walking. You will start out slowly and work up to your goal.

What if I have trouble keeping track of all this information?

Your coaches will assist you. The information is introduced gradually so everyone can take the time to understand and learn.

Do I have to attend every session?

We cover new material in every class, and we constantly build on what we learned the previous week. In order to be successful in making lifestyle changes, it is important to make a commitment to the program. Attending the sessions plays a big part in achieving your goals.

What happens if I cannot attend every class?

We understand that sometimes “life” gets in the way and you are not able to make a session. You should discuss how you will handle missed sessions with your group leader.

What if I am not comfortable with participating in class?

Participate in class discussions and group activities at a level that you are comfortable with. Do not hesitate to ask questions if you need clarification. Some of the best ideas and suggestions come from participants. One of these great ideas might be yours, so please share. By asking questions about what we are learning, you help others as well as yourself.

What do I have to do outside the class time?

The lifestyle coaches will provide education and supports to get you started and keep you on track over the weeks to reach your program goals. You will also be given specific instruction about how to change your diet and physical activity patterns and track that information.

Making the program work for you

You are investing a significant amount of time in attending the Group Lifestyle BalanceTM program. We want to make sure that your time is well spent. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of this program.

  1. Be prepared. Bring with you:
  • An empty 1 ½ inch binder
  • Pen or pencil for making notes
  • Reading glasses (if needed)
  • Water and a snack (if needed)

We will provide you with handouts and other materials at each session.

  1. Supplies you will need at home:
  • Measuring cups and measuring spoons
  • Glass measuring cup
  • Ruler
  • Bathroom scale
  • Food scale (we will give you some suggestions in class)
  1. Review hand-outs and class material after the session and as needed.
  2. Do your homework. Complete the weekly Food and Activity Tracker. (explained in class).

GLB Participant Health and Lifestyle Data Collection Form. Please complete the enclosed form. It will help us to monitor your health benefits as a result of participating in the program.

It will also help you:

  • think about your current lifestyle, habits and eating patterns
  • consider the changes you may need to make to be successful at reducing your risk of diabetes and heart disease

Par-Q and You FormPlease complete the enclosed form and bring with you to the first class. If you answered “yes” to any of the questions, you will need to make an appointment with your doctor. If you have not been active in the past or have any health issues, it is important to have your physician’s approval before increasing your level of activity.

Feedback

We give you several opportunities to provide us with feedback. This feedback helps you to take a reflective look at your experiences in the program and helps us to improve our Group Lifestyle Balance ProgramTM. At the end of the Group Lifestyle Balance ProgramTM, we will ask you to fill out a program evaluation.

Group Lifestyle Balance TM Session Schedule 2015/2016
Session 1 / April 13 *** / All sessions are on Monday
evenings from 5:30–6:30 pmat:
Haber Recreation Centre (Community Room 2)
3040 Tim Dobbie Drive
Burlington L7M 0M3
The Centre is located between
Walkers Line and Appleby Line
just north of Dundas.
It is connected to the Burlington
Public Library Alton Branch and
The Dr. Frank.J Hayden
Secondary School.
Session 2 / April 20
Session 3 / April 27
Session 4 / May 4
Session 5 / May 11 / Weekly Sessions
Session 6 / May 25
Session 7 / June 1
Session 8 / June 8
Session 9 / June 15
Session 10 / June 22
Session 11 / June 29
Session 12 / July 6
Session 13 / July 27
Session 14 / August 24
Session15 / Sept 14
Session 16 / Sept 28
Session 17 / Oct 19
Session 18 / Oct 26
Session 19 / Nov 23
Session 20 / Jan 11
Session 21 / Feb 22
Session 22 / March 21

*** Please note Session 1 may take 1 ½ hours as we need to spend some time going over how the program works. If you are able to come a little earlier on the 1st day, this will help us stay on time.If you would like more information about the Group Lifestyle BalanceTMprogram, please contact:

Created by the Halton Diabetes Program to be freely used and adapted.