You’ve seen her whip contestants into shape on The Biggest Loser. Now celebrity personal trainer, Kim Lyons is taking on diabetes with her new workout DVD series, Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people in the U.S. – up more than three-million in about two years – and obesity is a major risk factor for the type 2 diabetes epidemic. I recently spoke to Lyons about all this. She tells FatFighterTV, it’s time to turn things around now.
Diabetes-friendly workouts
One of the first things I wondered about these DVDs was how these workouts were different than others. What makes them specifically for diabetics? Lyons says they eliminate the exercise intimidation factor.
“A lot of the workout videos that are out there right now are very high intensity, and they’re the kind of videos that are going to draw in people that already exercise, whereas people that have diabetes or are struggling with obesity issues or both are going to really be intimidated by that,” Lyons tells FatFighterTV. “This is kind of a way to get people started and help them get off the couch. There are even workouts where they can sit down and get moving. A lot of people don’t even know they can exercise while they’re sitting down.”
Can you really get a good workout if you’re sitting down? Yes and no, says Lyons. The DVDs are designed for beginners, so while they may not benefit someone who already exercises, working out while sitting down may be just the right place to start for someone who’s new to physical activity.
Doctor’s orders
The workouts were developed with the help of Dr. Shaila Singh, a Diplomat of the American Association for Family Physicians (AAFP) who has managed type 2 diabetes and weight loss in patients for over 22 years.
“Recent research has really brought to light that you can almost halt the disease progression; you can change it, even,” says Dr. Singh. “People who have type 2 diabetes really can [stop being] type 2 diabetic just by exercise and healthy diet modification.”
Lyons adds, “I think it’s just really important to give those people hope and let them know that, yeah, you absolutely can change your life – just 20 minutes a day.”
Beyond the DVDs
Along with the DVDs, there is also an online support program that includes nutrition tips, recipes, and Q&As about diabetes with Dr. Singh, all at StartFitnessNow.com.
Giveaway
To tie in with American Diabetes Month, The Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes 3-DVD set is giveaway #2 in FatFighterTV’s Winter Workouts (indoors) giveaway series. Again, the workouts are designed for diabetics who need to start a fitness routine, or other exercise beginners.
To enter for a chance to win, just tell me why you want to try these workouts… or if you want to give them to someone as a gift, why you think that person would enjoy them.
See you in the comments!
Contest runs through midnight EST this Friday, November 13, you have to have a U.S. mailing address to enter, and we will use random.org to pick the winner.
I think Kim is a strong, fit role model. She’s going to be an Oxygen cover girl. I just saw the cover…holy cow her body rocks.
Joanna – I know! She’s a fabulous role model! Thanks for the tip about Oxygen – I will definitely check it out.
Anything that gets me off the couch is a good thing.
Hey girliefriend – Yes, get off that couch!
I would like to give them as a gift to a family member who has diabetes.
Gianna – I think these DVDs would make a great gift.
I would give it to my mother. She has a number of health issues and these sound like the perfect way for her to get exercise without hurting herself.
Amykr – They sound like a great fit for your mom.
I would give this to my husband! He is diabetic and needs to start something. I try and help him but he really needs to find his own way. This is so hard for me
Jen – I’m sorry about your husband. That must be very hard.
I would give this to my mother. She just moved in with me and she has had diabetes for about 17 yrs and does not do any kind of exercise. This dvd will be a Godsend to help her start moving and getting some fitness done.
Ifey – Your mom has had diabetes for a long time. I hope she is doing okay.
I have several diabetics in my family. I would love to have the videos as a preventative measure for myself.
Good idea to stay a step ahead!
would be good for my diabetic mom.
I’d like to try these DVDs because I am not an exerciser, and find it difficult to start a new routine. I had gestational diabetes, and meet the markers for type 2, so I’d definitely like to try these.
Cee – Glad you are aware and that you are being proactive!
I would like to try these videos for myself. I am a type 2 diabetic for about 5 years now. I am at a good weight, but having trouble keeping my blood sugar in check. Eating sweets is a very difficult thing for me not to do. I have cut down on my alcohol consumption drastically and i am pretty active, but still need some help.
Steve – Good for you for being at a healthy weight. I have trouble with sweets, too!
I was diagnosed with Type II a year ago…I’ve lost weight and am feeling better with treatment but am always looking for new interesting ways to exercise.
virgomomwriter – Congrats on the weight loss! Glad you are feeling better.
I’d use this for motivation and structure. My grandmother was diabetic, I’m hypoglycemic.
I have Type 2 diabetes, and really need to get back to exercising again and loosing weight. I guess I just got hung up on things, but now I am ready to get back into the game of living!
sweeps4us(at)gmail(dot)com
Tina – Getting hung up on things happens. Glad you are ready to get back in the game.
I would use for myself or for my mother. Diabetes runs in my family. I don’t have it but any help to loose weight or to help my mom (she does have it) would be a great help! Thanks
Maria – Yes, prevention is the key, IMO. Good for you for taking action.
I would love to have these for my mother. She recently found out that she was diabetic. It would make a lovely Christmas gift.
Laurie – Sending healing thoughts to your mom…
I want to win because these would be great to take on the road and use while I travel for business! I have a DVD player on my laptop so this wold be PERFECT!
I have a friend that would use this.
My husband was just diagnosed with prediabetes, my mother in law is a diabetic. Hubby and me are both overweight. We need to get healthy and I think these DVD’s would really get us started in the right direction. Good luck to all.
Lauralee – Glad you are being proactive. And remember, you can reverse type 2 diabetes.
I would give these to my mother who has Type 2. I would also have to sneak a peak at them myself.
Angie – Hope your mom is alright…
As a Type II diabetic since 1992 I’ll take any help I can get.
Michael – Sorry you have had diabetes for so long. Please take care.
I would love to gift these to my sister who was just diagnosed. She has already dropped 15 pounds with diet and she needs the exercise part. Great DVD Set.
katmagick – Glad your sister is already losing weight. BTW, love your cat avatar.
I’d love to have these to prevent diabetes.
I need them so I can lose 30 pounds in baby weight!!
For my Dad, who is diabetically challenged.
I have diabetes and I think this would help out.
my father is diabetic, and could use some help.
Currently my sister is being challenged and also has belly fat…this is something we can do together when I visit her. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am a diabetic and need modivation to get moving to lose weight with an excercise routine I will stick to. I feel it will also help me with some of my other health issues. Thank you for this opportunity
I’m always changing up my workouts I would love to give these a go, thanks for the chance!
I’d like to try these because I am borderline diabetic and my doctor says exercising would help.
This would be good for some members of my family who have diabetes
we all are prone to diabetes in my family. I’d use them and give one to my parents
I would love to try these dvd’s. I need some new ones to get motivated. I liked Kim on the Biggest Loser.
I have type II diabetes and I want my child to do whatever she can early on to fight it.
i am an exercise beginner, these would make a good start for new years
Looks like great dvd’s !!!
I’m always on the hunt for a new workout and this sounds like a great one.