Course uses glycemic index as guide

A New Year’s resolution can help a person lose weight, but it often takes lifestyle changes to maintain the weight loss.

Julie Leibold, RN, said she wants to help people make healthy changes through the Transitions Lifestyle System.

Leibold will facilitate a Transitions Lifestyle course alongside nutritional consultant Judy Malnar.

The course starts Jan. 20. It will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for 12 consecutive Tuesdays in Independence.

“Looking at a healthier lifestyle for me helped me get involved,” said Leibold, who works for Biolife Plasma Services. “I really don’t need to lose the pounds, I just need to have a healthier outlook on my diet.”

Leibold signed up to participate in the class as well as lead.

She said she wants to reduce her body fat and she thinks the skills she will learn from the course will help accomplish that goal.

“It’s a lifestyle change versus a yo-yo diet,” she said. “It really doesn’t tell you that you have to take this supplement or that supplement.”

About 60 people have signed up to attend the free course.

“It’s quite a diverse group,” Leibold said. “I’ve got people who are coming who are on chemo and I’ve got people coming who have had a heart attack.”

The Transitions Lifestyle course teaches participants about the glycemic index. The index measures food based on how much the food raises blood sugar. Foods with a low glycemic index keep blood sugar steady, which helps maintain energy.

According to an article on medicalnewstoday.com, “The glycemic index may be a beneficial tool in food selection and meal planning.”

People who watch their glycemic intake would opt for whole wheat bread, which scores 53 on the index, versus French bread, which scores 95.

“My goals going into this, personally, would be to understand the glycemic index,” Leibold said.

Course participants will label foods to learn which foods score higher or lower on the glycemic index.

“Food labeling is going to tell people where the hidden sugars are,” Leibold said.

The course also teaches participants how to reduce stress and incorporate exercise into their lifestyles.

“I like the educational component,” she said. “Education is key to success.”

Leibold acknowledges that nurses’ busy schedules can make it difficult to cook healthy meals and exercise regularly. She said the course will address those issues.

“It’s all about time management and preparations,” Leibold said. “It’s part of that transition.”

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