Lifestyle Change Program Details

In a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program, you’ll learn, laugh, share stories, try new things, and build new habits—all while lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes and improving your health.

Key components of the program include:

• CDC-approved curriculum with lessons, handouts, and other resources to help you make healthy changes.
• A lifestyle coach, specially trained to lead the program, to help you learn new skills, encourage you to set and meet goals, and keep you motivated. The coach will also facilitate discussions and help make the program fun and engaging.
• A support group of people with similar goals and challenges. Together, you can share ideas, celebrate successes, and work to overcome obstacles. In some programs, the participants stay in touch with each other during the week. It may be easier to make changes when you’re working as a group than doing it on your own.

Hear what others have to say about CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs. Visit Testimonials from Participants.
Watch "A Change for Life" video about a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program.

 Top of Page

During the first half of the program, you will learn to:  

• Eat healthy without giving up all the foods you love
• Add physical activity to your life, even if you don’t think you have time
• Deal with stress
• Cope with challenges that can derail your hard work—like how to choose healthy food when eating out
• Get back on track if you stray from your plan—because everyone slips now and then

In the second half of the program, you will enhance the skills you’ve learned so you can maintain the changes you’ve made. These sessions will review key ideas such as tracking your food and physical activity, setting goals, staying motivated, and overcoming barriers.You may learn some new information, too.The lifestyle coach and small group will continue to support you.

Check out a list of all the  topics covered in the program [PDF-178KB].

Top of Page

You can choose either an in-person or online lifestyle change program.

In-person Programs
In an in-person program, you’ll meet face-to-face with group members and the lifestyle coach.

Hands-on demonstrations will help with learning, and the coach will provide handouts with useful information and practice activities.

Most in-person sessions have three parts:

• A review and check-in on weekly progress, which includes a private weigh-in
• A discussion about the week’s topic that will give you a chance to learn from the program materials and each other
• A wrap-up with a to-do list and handouts to reinforce what you’ve learned

Online Programs
Online programs can be 100% online or a combination of online and in-person sessions. They all follow a CDC-approved curriculum and are held to the same standards as in-person programs. They also include a lifestyle coach, either in a group format or one-on-one.

Although many online tracking programs can help you log food and physical activity, CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs provide important feedback from a lifestyle coach on what you log so you can make changes to reach your goals.

An online program is a great option if you find it hard to attend regular on-site meetings or there is not an in-person program near you. 

Top of Page

The program runs for 1 year.

• During the first 6 months of the program, you will meet about once a week.
• During the second 6 months, you’ll meet once or twice a month.

You may think you learned enough in the first 6 months and can skip the second half of the program. But you’d be cheating yourself!

Making lifestyle changes is an ongoing process. Staying in the program for the full year is essential to help you stick to new habits and avoid slipping back into old habits. And if you have not reached your goals in the first half of the program, your lifestyle coach and other group members can help you succeed.

 Top of Page

All CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs—whether in-person or online—follow a CDC-approved curriculum and discuss the same topics over the year. But, your lifestyle coach will adapt the sessions to match your group’s background, interests, and needs.

For instance, your lifestyle coach may:

• Show you how to prepare healthy versions of popular local or ethnic foods and ask for ideas
  from group members
• Provide tips for eating healthy during cultural holidays or events
• Share fun local events that can help you be physically active
• Give you handouts to address your specific concerns

There’s also a Spanish-language curriculum, so some programs are offered completely in Spanish.

 Top of Page

The cost of participating in a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program varies, depending on location, organization offering it, and type of program (in person or online). Contact the program you’re interested in to find out the cost.

Some employers and insurance carriers cover the cost of these programs. Check with your employer or insurance carrier to see if a program is covered.

Top of Page

CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs are located in a variety of places throughout the community, including:

• Health care clinics
• Community-based organizations
• Faith-based organizations
• Pharmacies
• Wellness centers
• Worksites
• Cooperative extension offices
• University-based continuing education programs

You can also choose an online program.

Ready to make a change? Visit Find a Program today.

Not sure about your risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes? Take our online prediabetes risk quiz or print off a prediabetes screening test [PDF- 757KB].

Top of Page