Diabetes workshop free to the public; sign up by Feb. 1

Managing diabetes can be confusing and stressful, but Danae Hicks, the Family and Community Health agent in Ellis County, said an upcoming class will break down how to manage diabetes, allowing participants to make sustainable changes for a healthier lifestyle.

The diabetes workshop will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 4 in the Waxahachie Housing Authority community room at 208 Patrick St. It is free to the public and will include a fajita lunch sponsored by H-E-B. The workshop is limited to 25 people and requires registration by calling the extension office no later than Feb. 1.

Julie Mendenhall, registered nurse and certified diabetes care and education specialist, will lead the workshop. Hicks said Mendenhall has more than 10 years of experience helping patients learn to manage their diabetes through information that is easy to understand and apply to their lives.

“It’s really giving them the tools to take control of it,” Hicks said.

During the workshop, attendees will learn about the different types of diabetes, how to monitor blood sugar and why it’s important, how to count carbohydrates and create healthy meals, how regular exercise helps control body weight and blood sugar, how stress can affect blood sugar, and how uncontrolled diabetes is dangerous.

“I think they get told a lot that they have to watch their blood sugar, but the conversations don’t necessarily open up past that explaining why,” Hicks said. “You’re less likely to follow those guidelines because there’s no reason behind it.”

Throughout the workshop, Hicks and Mendenhall will give attendees specific small changes they can make each day to better manage their diabetes.

“Jumping in feet first is not sustainable for anybody,” Hicks said. “We’ll be talking about little, sustainable changes they can make like eating more vegetables, adding a walk once or twice a week.”

Hicks said they will explaiin in detail how diabetes can be managed in five ways: having balanced meals, taking medications prescribed by a doctor, maintaining a healthy weight, having an active lifestyle, and finding ways to reduce stress.

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 12.4% of the Texas population have been diagnosed with diabetes while an additional 621,000 Texans have undiagnosed diabetes and another 34% of the Texas population have prediabetes.

The workshop is not just for those who are diagnosed with diabetes but for anyone who wants to learn more.

“It’s going to be geared toward prediabetics, already diagnosed diabetics and then anyone that’s caring or has a loved one that has diabetes,” Hicks said.

Though it will be a longer class, the day is scheduled to be interactive, fun and informative and will include several door prizes, Hicks said.

To register for the class or for more information, call the extension office at 972-825-5175.

For more information about diabetes in Texas, visit https://diabetes.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/ADV_2022_State_Fact_sheets_all_rev_TX-4-4-22.pdf.

Originally published January 20, 2023 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/open/diabetes-workshop-free-to-the-public-sign-up-by-feb-1/article_f2232524-9909-11ed-8f67-b773626bd142.html