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Exercise class aims to prevent diabetes
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Posted on Oct 03 2008
Pilot participants in Club Hinemlo-ta, a swimming exercise program, have lost more than 150 pounds, said Pam Carhill, manager at the Commonwealth Health Center Physical Therapy Department.
The program, run by volunteers under the Diabetes Coalition and Ayuda Network, aims to reach people who are diabetic or pre-diabetic and unable to exercise in a gym or along the beach pathways, she said.
“We’re looking to help out people that their doctor told them there is nothing they can do,” she said. “I’ve heard stories of woman saying ‘I’ve slowly gotten bigger, and I don’t know what to do to exercise, because if I go out for a walk I have to sit and rest.’”
The pool is a good place to exercise because people lose 80 percent of their weight in the pool, making exercise easier on the joints, she said. The exercise is low-impact and follows the American Diabetic Association recommendation of three days a week of activity. Many participants are in the pool five days a week, though, she added.
Since the program started in July 2007, no pre-diabetic participants have become diabetic, Carhill added. The 68 participants range in weight from 200 to more than 400 pounds, while the youngest participant is in her 20s and the oldest is 74.
The class was first held at Aqua Resort Club but it has expanded to Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan and Coral Ocean Point Golf Resort. A man’amko class was also added at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. They are hoping to add a class at the Palms Resort Saipan soon, Carhill said. Right now the program is only open to women.
All of the instructors are volunteers, and many started out initially as participants. The group warms up and stretches and works up to an hour of exercise, she said, adding that it helps to exercise with other people.
“I think a lot of people won’t exercise unless you have friends with you, I know I won’t without a friend,” she said.
Club Hinemlo-ta is looking for more volunteer exercise facilitators to lead the group. Carhill has also started a waiting list for those interested in joining the club. Email swimsaipan@yahoo.com for more information.
