Last summer John Gibbs, a fleet services technician for Weld County Government, made a commitment to change his lifestyle. He started riding a bike to work, checking food labels, cooking smaller portion sizes and becoming more aware of what he was consuming. For Gibbs, counting calories, initially a daunting task, became a key aspect of understanding his dietary habits.

Gibbs is one of 29 Weld County employees participating in a pilot program for the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) focused on diabetes prevention. The program was launched internally first to aid the department’s need to secure the recognition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and become an official part of the established National Diabetes Prevention program. Now, The Heart of Weld, the county’s new diabetes prevention program, is ready for public participation!

“People with diabetes incur, on average, $19,700 annually in medical expenses,” said program leader Kelly Martinez. “That’s almost three times the medical expenses of a person without diabetes.

“The good news is that if you have prediabetes, you can make lifestyle changes to prevent or delay diabetes and other serious health problems,” Martinez said. “Think of prediabetes as a fork in the road. If you ignore it, your risk for type 2 diabetes goes up. Lose a modest amount of weight, say 5 to 7% of total body weight, and get regular physical activity, and your risk goes down.”

Such lifestyle changes applied to Gibbs. Despite being fairly active in rock climbing in the past, a health screening left him with a “reality check” that more change was needed.

"I did some screenings and some labs with my primary care physician and got put on a lot of medication for high blood pressure and prediabetes,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs knew that simply taking medication wasn’t enough, so when he came across an article in the Weld County employee newsletter about the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), he knew he had to sign up.

Building on the interest and early success generated from the pilot program, new Heart of Weld DPP classes open to the public have already been launched. The WCDPHE began a public Spanish language class late in 2023 and another class is underway. Registration is now open for upcoming Heart of Weld DPP classes at the Greeley Rec Center starting on Feb. 9, the Windsor Recreation Center starting on March 4 and at Sunrise Clinic starting on April 1.

The Heart of Weld DPP groups meet for a year – weekly for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months to help maintain healthy lifestyle changes. During each session, the lifestyle coach presents a lesson and leads a group discussion. 

“It’s not a quick fix,” cautioned Martinez. “A year might sound like a long commitment, but learning new habits, gaining new skills, and building confidence takes time. As you begin to eat better and become more active, you’ll notice changes in how you feel, and maybe even in how you look.”

For Gibbs, results started to manifest early on. A significant weight loss of over 30 pounds, improved blood pressure, and the ability to fit into long-forgotten clothes became tangible markers of progress. He credits a lot of this success to the guidance from Martinez and program coordinator Michelle Frances, who have fostered an environment where participants feel comfortable discussing their challenges.

As the employee pilot program moves to its conclusion this year, the question arises: Is this a short-term remedy or a long-term lifestyle change? Gibbs, for one, confidently asserts that the positive changes are sustainable with his newfound awareness extending beyond the program, influencing his daily choices, and reinforcing a commitment to long-term health.

“Being aware of what I'm consuming, and what I can substitute it with, are all things that I've done in this class, he said. “The education that I've gotten, I think, really helps me understand how my body reacts to what I'm eating when I'm eating — a complete 180 flip from when I first walked in. Now, I can apply what preventing diabetes looks like for my lifestyle.”

And to Martinez, that is what she wants for every program participant.

“We are excited to bring this program to the residents of Weld County,” Martinez said. “We hope the program’s success stories spread and residents learn about this great program that will help them improve their quality of life!”

“It's been realistic. But it's not pushy,” Gibbs said of the class and instructors. “They promote participation, but nothing is forced. They encourage us to speak about our problems. And it's in an environment where I feel comfortable doing all of that.

“The group has definitely dwindled, but I've noticed with the group that is there you can tell how much they desire to make this system work for them. That's been, I think, key to my success. Having that support structure very close by.”

And that’s all part of the process, according to Martinez.

“Being part of a group provides support from other people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes you are,” she said. “Together, you can celebrate successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.”

Since August of 2023, Via Mobility Services has offered free door-through-door transportation to those aged 60-plus and individuals with disabilities throughout Weld County. In the short time it’s been running, the program has had a profound impact on riders and employees alike. Read more about it in the next issue of County Roots.