SIDNEY — Whether you made a New Year’s resolution or not, improving habits is a wise decision to continue to work on no matter what time of year.

“Rather than a fad diet or extreme exercise routine, it’s advisable to incorporate aspects of healthy living gradually,” said Abbey Bensman, registered dietitian and lifestyle coach at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA. “Many times restricting favorite foods or exercising everyday can lead to burnout. By saying you are never going to eat chocolate again, for example, might make you want it even more and likely to overindulge when given the chance.”

Finding this healthy balance in life can be difficult.

“If you are looking for accountability and encouragement to help improve your health and lose weight gradually, ask about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, a program the YMCA has been offering twice per year, designed for those with prediabetes,” she said.

Do you know someone with diabetes? Having the disease can be a social and economic burden and prediabetes rates are even higher. One in three U.S. adults has prediabetes but only 10 percent are aware of it.

Find out your risk at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/pdf/prediabetestest.pdf or contact Bensman for more details.

The next class will be begin Feb. 1 on Monday evenings. The program structure of frequent meetings can improve self-awareness and success toward the program goals and individual goals as well. Classes start out weekly consisting of 19 classes in the first six months and once per month for the remaining six months.

“If you already have diabetes, you do not qualify for this program,” said Bensman. “I encourage those with diabetes contact Wilson Health for their services and support group.”

Contact Bensman at [email protected] for more details and to enroll. For additional tips or to learn how to get involved with the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA in other ways, contact (937) 492-9134.

Link to Y website for additional details: http://sidney-ymca.org/diabetes_prevention_program.aspx.