Are you ready to “fall” in love with a new lifestyle? Individuals who want to get fit, prevent diabetes and lower their risk of heart disease can receive free help in a free program in Lehigh County starting this September.

Wilkes University is partnering with Weis Markets in Schnecksville to provide the Diabetes Prevention Program-Group Lifestyle Balance Program.

Program staff will work with individuals to make lifestyle changes to prevent disease and lower risk factors.

Those who enroll and meet eligibility criteria will receive healthy lifestyle incentives throughout the program that includes gift cards, fitness tools, food samples, healthy food prep tools and more based on their attendance and meeting their personal goals.

The program will run for 12 months with classes being held at two different times.

To start, an information session will be held Sept. 13 and Sept. 14 (Only need to attend one).

One class will be held 6 p.m. Wednesdays. The other 9 a.m. Thursday beginning Wednesday, Sept. 20 or Thursday, Sept. 21 at Weis Markets, 5020 Route 873 Schnecksville.

After the first 12 weeks, it will transition to biweekly meetings then monthly accountability meetings will be held to track progress.

Participants will work toward achieving two goals:

•Increasing physical activity to a minimum of 150 minutes a week; and

•Losing a minimum of 7 percent of their body weight.

The program will be led by Elena Patestos, Weis Markets Pharmacist, Nicole Pezzino, Weis Markets pharmacist, and Wilkes University faculty, and Lyndi Mies, Weis Markets Dietitian.

Coaches will work with participants to provide education and assistance to help achieve program goals. Those enrolled in the program will be monitored for one year and are required to attend group sessions for support.

Participants must be willing to:

·Commit to a positive change in diet and physical activity habits;

·Attend group sessions regularly;

·Actively participate in education sessions;

·Monitor daily food intake and physical activity for one full year;

·Track and record information as requested for the program; and

·Work toward achieving the program goals and their own personal lifestyle goals.

For more information about the Group Lifestyle Balance program, contact Elena Patestos at elena.patestos@weismarkets.com or call the pharmacy at 610-799-2413.

For more information and to register for the program, visit forms.office.com/r/cc5iJcfHQz or scan the QR code in the ad below.