January is more than a new calendar page. It is a natural reset point — physically, mentally, and metabolically. At Nashville Fit, Dr. Irene Lazarus, our board-certified Preventive Medicine Physician contributor, will kick off 2026 with a new wellness series called the Spring Arc: we will be focusing on the Body, beginning with a Metabolic Reset designed to help our community reconnect with sustainable health, not quick fixes. Stay tuned for next month’s topic!
A Fitness + Nutrition Challenge for Real Life
The Reset & Reconnect activation is built around a simple idea: lasting health happens when movement, nutrition, mindset, and accountability work together. This challenge is not about extreme dieting or punishing workouts. It is about learning how your body responds to food, stress, sleep, and activity — and building habits that actually stick.
One of the most common questions people ask in January is:
“Do I really need coaching to lose weight?”
Why Coaching Matters More Than Ever
In the United States, metabolic disease is no longer a distant public health concern — it is a daily reality quietly unfolding in millions of lives. Obesity and prediabetes are now the primary drivers of metabolic syndrome, setting the stage for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and long-term disability. What makes this crisis especially urgent is how often it goes unnoticed.
According to the CDC, one in three U.S. adults has prediabetes, yet more than 80 percent do not know it. At the same time, one in ten Americans is living with diabetes, and one in five remains undiagnosed. These numbers reveal a critical gap — not just in care, but in awareness, guidance, and support.
This is where coaching becomes more than a convenience; it becomes a prevention tool. Evidence-based health coaching helps translate medical risk into practical, achievable action. Coaches do not replace medical care — they bridge the space between knowing you are at risk and knowing what to do next. Through education, accountability, and behavior change support, coaching helps individuals recognize early warning signs, build sustainable habits, and intervene before disease progression becomes irreversible.
Without guidance, many people do not act until symptoms appear. With coaching, prevention becomes proactive, personalized, and possible. In a country where most people at risk do not even know they are at risk, choosing coaching is not about weight loss alone — it is about reclaiming agency over long-term metabolic health.
The Pros
The Cons
Here’s the good news: not all coaching programs are expensive or inaccessible. Some of the most effective, evidence-based weight management programs are often covered by insurance.
A recent cluster randomized clinical trial funded by the American Heart Association (AHA) and conducted within the Veterans Affairs health system evaluated the MOVE! Program, a peer-coaching–supported weight management intervention. The study found that peer coaching helped participants achieve modest weight loss and, importantly, significantly increased enrollment and engagement in structured weight management programs across diverse populations.(Wittleder, Wong JAMA Netw Open)
While the trial did not demonstrate a direct causal link between coaching and greater long-term weight loss at 12 months, researchers noted several real-world factors that likely influenced outcomes. These included disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for greater cultural tailoring, and differences in readiness and engagement between men and women. Together, these findings reinforce an important takeaway: coaching works best when it is accessible, culturally responsive, and delivered in formats that reduce barriers and prevent drop-off in participation.
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a nationally recognized, evidence-based lifestyle program for individuals with prediabetes or risk factors for type 2 diabetes. DPP focuses on:
Many insurance plans cover DPP at low or no cost, making it one of the most accessible prevention tools available.
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is designed for people living with diabetes. It is led by Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists or registered dietitians and focuses on:
DSMES is also commonly covered by insurance and is a critical part of comprehensive diabetes care.
In 2026, Minority Wellness will be offering both DPP and DSMES programs in English and Spanish, with virtual and community-based options. Our mission is to close gaps in access, education, and culturally responsive care — especially here in Middle Tennessee.
The truth is many people still don’t know where they fall on the metabolic spectrum, what programs they qualify for, or how to access support before disease progresses. That is exactly the gap our Free Wellness Workshop is designed to address.
To kick off the 2026 coaching session series, you’re invited to a Free Wellness Workshop:
January 24, 2026
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Virtual & Local Nashville Public Library – Southeast Branch
What to Expect
🎟 Register by Clicking here:
copy& paste this link if you have trouble accessing the hyperlink https://events.sweatpals.com/4e1f70b1
This January, let’s move beyond resolutions and toward resetting with intention and reconnecting with our bodies — together.
Stay connected with Nashville Fit and sign up for our newsletter by registering to our event and you will receive updates on future community wellness events throughout 2026.
Dr. Irene Lazarus combines clinical expertise with public health leadership, building community-driven solutions for healthier populations. [Discover more ➝]
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