Power to Prevent - National Diabetes Education Program - National ...

Getting Started
Getting started with a program such as Power to Prevent can be a challenge. Adopting new cooking
and eating habits and trying to fnd time to be physically active can be diffcult. The Power to Prevent
sessions can help you fnd ways to overcome barriers to improving your eating habits and to
increasing your physical activity. Support from family and friends are key to staying motivated once
you have begun the program. Joining the program with a friend, a coworker, or a family member
who is also at increased risk for diabetes is good way to stay actively involved.
What To Expect In Each session
Ideally, the group will meet every week for the frst 6 weeks and will shift to once a month for the
last 6 sessions. Your program leader will discuss the schedule with you at the frst session. Sessions
will generally last about 90 minutes, but they may last up to 20 minutes (2 hours) depending on the
time taken for group discussion, activities, or feld trips.
You should bring the following materials to every session:
Notebook for taking notes
Binder or folder to organize handouts
Pens or pencils
Materials given out at the frst session
- GAME PLAN Food and Activity Tracker
- Weekly Pledge form
- Individual Progress Chart
Between each session, you will track your progress, noting the small steps you are taking to make
food, activity, and other lifestyle changes that will help you reap big rewards for your health. At the
meetings, you will be asked to share your progress with others, to discuss barriers to reaching your
goals, to take in new information about healthy activities or other topics, and to make a pledge to
work toward a goal for your health during the following week.
To get people moving, each session will include a simple, easy, and fun physical activity lasting 5 to
0 minutes. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes to the sessions.
NDEP Power to Prevent Group Participant’s Guide 2