Stories From Our Clients
Edna Mason 8/15/2024
“I started this program, July 2023. I had an A1C of 6.3 and weighed in at 166 pounds. I had recently retired from my job to take care of my mother with Alzheimer’s/Dementia. I found myself pretty much eating and sitting around watching her. Once I got help with my mom, I would line dance once or twice a week. It was over the amount of exercise minutes per week, but I would have days of doing nothing. I watched my sister inject a needle in herself for diabetes. I knew I never wanted to do that. One day, during line dance, Mrs. Alexander came in and talked to the class. I had recently went to the doctor and had the results of my A1C in my purse. After listening to Ms Alexander and seeing the vision of my sister and that needle, I thought I would give this a try. Well, let me say, this was the best decision that I’ve done for ME in a long time. I’ve learned to eat to live and realized the importance of reading labels, trying new vegetables, drinking more water and doing these things in the right portion sizes. I may not have lost the most weight out of the class, but I lost and meet my goal. I have continued to do this as of now. I’m more conscious of what I eat, what I do, which makes me feel good about me. I just thank Ms. Alexander for coming into that line dance class; otherwise, I would have never know about the class and would have probably became a Diabetic. I’m proud to say I’m does 13 pounds and have an A1C of 5.5. I feel better, I look better, and I’m truly happy, thanks to Ms. Alexander and Magnolia Medical Foundation.”
Tracy L Rivers 8/20/2024
I was at an outreach event and Mrs. Alexander was there promoting Magnolia Medical Foundation and she had a wheel to spin for a prize set up which caught my eye. When u went and spoke to her about the program I can’t lie “The free vegetable box” held my attention. I signed up and never really thought about it again. Then a couple of months later I received an email saying that a new class was beginning and would I like to join. I did want to join so I met for the graduation ceremony of the first class was going on and it was so inspiring. The mayor even came out and all the graduates came up one by one and gave there testimony’s which really encouraged me. It just so happen that the program started right when my whole life was heading in a new direction so having that support and structure was a very welcome thing. We met each week on Thursday night at 6 I was hooked by all that I was learning and Mrs. Alexander’s personality and unmatched encouragement and enthusiasm! Some of the things I already knew, but it gave me so much hope to learn the following:
1. It doesn’t have to be 30 continuous minutes of exercise at a time to count. All of it matters, this encouraged me so much, I started using my phones activity tracker and checking it each day and it was wonderful. I found myself pushing a little more and more and more and really enjoying it. I leaned that going to Walmart and walking the outer perimeter at night
instead of laying around. I started marching in place here and there just stealing any opportunity to keep it moving!
2. I received the portion plate and was so fascinated with it and the measurements and even though I didn’t do it perfectly just knowing what a healthy portion was made a difference.
3. I learned that small changes add up to big results. I learned that it wasn’t a diet it was a new way to view food and I took the oath of changing my relationship with food. Yes, I have broken that oath on many occasions, but I also learned that nothing is lost and that all I have to do is make a better choice on my next snack or meal.
4. Mrs. Alexander did one of the most useful things which was meeting me at the grocery store and we spent over an hour looking at the different vegetables and she knows EVERYTHING about this vegetables. She gave great descriptions of their texture, flavor, ways to prepare it and even what the different recipes would yield and what they paired well with. This was incredible I can’t stress it enough. I only wish that I would have had a notebook to take notes.
5. I received so many recipes from the class and they used the vegetables we received over the months. I learned that I truly love cabbage which shocks me to the very day!!!! I also found a fantastic dessert of light vanilla Greek yogurt, with fresh strawberries cut up in it with a little bit of granola sprinkled on top!!!!
I lost between 28-30lbs over about 8 months period. I have gained some back and have no excuses. At least I know what to do and Mrs. Alexander said I can sit in on the new class to refresh my memory and enthusiasm. I want to continue making better choices. I’m so grateful to the program, Magnolia Medical Foundation, the participants, and especially Ms Alexander!!
Martha Roby 8/21/2024
Enrolling in the Diabetes Prevention Program and having Mireya Alexander as my lifestyle coach has been a highlight in my life. I’ve learned and have grown so much in taking this class to help me in making wise choices for the rest of my life. Examples: Reading food labels, changes in food preparations, increasing weekly physical activities, mind-set changes, controlling my weight, manage stress. I have accomplished ten pounds in weight loss and have maintained an A1C reading of 5.2 and a continuous goal and desire to prevent T2 diabetes for a lifetime. Thanks Mireya Alexander.
Shirley Capers 8/28/2024
“My Journey to a Healthier Me”
My name is Shirley Capers, I am a 66 year old female. I was diagnosed with type II diabetes in January of 2023. My A1c was 6.4 and I weighed 215 lbs. I experienced pain in my body everyday, my life was so miserable. My daughter saw my struggle, trying to fight on my own, trying to eat right, no desire to exercise and not wanting to take the meds the doctor tried to prescribe. She told me about a program that her professor knew about that was through the Magnolia Medical Foundation. Needless to say I contacted Mrs. Mireya Alexander, and she patiently took me through the steps to see if I qualified for the program and I did. My journey started in July of 2023 with the Diabetes Prevention Program and I was so excited. Mrs. Alexander patiently taught us so much about the new lifestyle we were about to embark upon. We learned to read labels, count calories, use portion control, rest, exercise and be patient with ourselves on the journey. We learned, it was a journey, not a destination. All my life I have had a bad relationship with food, fad dieting, binge eating, never thinking of the toll it was taking on my health as well as my body and mind. Through the class, we were taught that “we don’t live to eat, but we eat to live”. My relationship with food changed and I learned to enjoy eating healthy more than eating bad. My slogan throughout the program was, “I can do all things through Christ, that strengthens me.” We had a great support system with her team, and we all became family. We were even taught how to cook healthy and enjoy it. There were times that we would come together and cry as well as laugh. The scripture says “Iron sharpens Iron” and that's what we did for each other. There was also a time I was about to give up with the pressure of Ministry and taking the class, but Mrs. Alexander encouraged me to stay in the race. She made me understand the time I was coming to class was to help me to be here not only for others, but for myself also and I needed to be restored and refreshed in order to help others. She was right, I started looking forward to class. I learned a wealth of information that I will take with me the rest of my life. As of July 2024, I have lost 46 pounds and my A1C is at 5.9. I am maintaining my weight loss and plan to lose more as my A1c continues to go down. God is so Good. I also don’t experience as much pain as I have in the past either. This truly has been life changing and I thank Dr. Erica Thompson for her vision to help others with the Diabetes Prevention Program, Magnolia Medical Foundation for helping her to bring the vision to fruition and Mrs. Alexander for her untiring faithfulness, love and support to continue to help others have a more vibrant and vital life. God Bless you all.
