AS WE start the New Year I’m sure that your readers in the Vale have made their resolutions and that they’re likely to involve getting healthier in 2016.

It is tempting to promise to make big lifestyle changes and then lose motivation but it is good to remember that small changes can make a big difference to your health this year.

You might be surprised to know that up to 80 per cent of Type 2 diabetes cases in Wales could be delayed or prevented by making lifestyle changes. Getting active and eating a healthy balanced diet is a great way to start protecting yourself from the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

But this doesn’t mean that you have to join a gym or buy expensive exercise equipment that you may never use. Why not make a smaller pledge to walk up the stairs instead of taking the lift when you’re out and about or to meet up with friends for a walk.

Making small changes to your diet can also have a positive impact on your health. You could challenge yourself to try out some healthier alternatives, changing sugar-sweetened drinks like fizzy drinks for water, ‘diet’ or ‘sugar-free’ alternatives, sweets for grapes or changing your mild cheese to a stronger alternative, meaning that you can use less of it in your cooking without losing the flavour.

There are lots of delicious, healthy recipes, food swaps and advice on ways of getting active on our website, diabetes.org.uk/recipes.

Making manageable changes that fit into your routine can shrink your waistline and can be a lot easier to stick to.

Being healthy is for life, not just for January.

Dai Williams

Director

Diabetes UK Cymru