NATCHEZ — Losing 300 pounds is just the beginning for the City of Natchez and Humana.

This year, the Diabetes and Heart Prevention Program is ready to help residents lose even more weight and learn the importance of exercise, eating right and losing weight.

Last year, 22 people graduated from the program, losing more than 300 pounds during the yearlong journey, which started with 50 participants.

The goal is to enroll 100 people, project director Getty Israel said. Eligible residents can enroll for the next two weeks before the program starts in mid-May. 

Participants are required to attend a two-hour class once a week, Israel said. Last year, the class was offered only once a week. This year, to give participants more flexibility, the classes will be offered three times a week at the Wellness Center on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Natchez campus.

“This year’s program will be more accessible and more convenient for participants,” Israel said. 

The program is free and open to residents with a variety of health issues.

“If your blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol is high, if you are overweight or have heart disease or Type 2 diabetes, all of these qualify you for the program,” Israel said.

The program will include coaching, education and group exercise led by three trained life coaches. Every week participants will have their blood pressure, body weight and waistline measured.

“It isn’t about losing weight all over. It is about losing weight in the mid-section,” Israel said.

Fat around the midsection puts people at greater risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, Israel said.

Those interested in learning more about the program or want to sign up can call Israel at 601-487-6894 or email her at gettyisrael@yahoo.com.

The program is funded by Humana Foundation Inc. and is implemented by the City of Natchez.