WORDS
STEPHANIE OSFIELD
PHOTOGRAPHY
GETTY IMAGES
Cynthia’s Story:
“MY BLOOD PRESSURE
IS DOWN AND MY
SPIRITS ARE UP!”
A retired event manager who lives in
Shellharbour, NSW, Cynthia was diagnosed
with type 2 in November of 2016. “I have
a wonderful family, enjoy time with my
grandchildren and love to travel, so I was
determined to do all I could to turn my
condition around,” she says.
On the advice of a friend with diabetes,
Cynthia signed up to a group-based lifestyle
program called ‘Beat It’, organised by the
National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS). “It
involved twice-weekly sessions and we learnt
about food, motivation and exercises to suit
individual needs and abilities,” Cynthia adds.FRIENDS FOR FITNESS
“Our group shared great camaraderie and
encouraged one another to push harder than
we would have done individually, Cynthia
admits. “As a result my diabetes markers
improved and I lowered my cholesterol and
blood pressure. I also lost weight and relished
packing up those ‘big’ clothes and taking them
to my local charity!” Now the program has
wrapped up, members from Cynthia’s group
have joined a gym, and regularly meet for
coffee and exercise. “I feel so fit I recently did
the Sydney Bridge climb with my two sons,”
she says. “I also have my sights on completing
Sydney’s City2Surf run, using the training skills
my amazing ‘Beat It’ facilitator taught me.” ■Get connected
To find a diabetes support
group in your area, contact
your local hospital or
community centre, visit your
state/territory branch of
Diabetes Australia, or head
to diabetesaustralia.com.au.
You can also ask your
diabetes educator or GP
if they know of any support
groups nearby.diabetic living JULY/AUGUST 2017 117