With 250,000 Kiwis diagnosed with type two diabetes, and four times this number at risk, a local group has decided to do something about these shocking statistics with a few simple tools and a lot of know-how.

Eat for Keeps is launching the NZ Blood-Sugar Foundation – a new charitable trust designed to get each and every one of us desk-bound dwellers to move more, and also aid those who have been diagnosed as either pre-diabetic or diabetic.

Leigh Elder from Eat For Keeps demonstrates the stretchy band at his desk. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Founder Leigh Elder says: 'After a business mentoring process, we have been encouraged to set up a charitable trust to raise funds to help us develop a free national three-month wellness challenge.”

The programme is in line with Eat for Keep's philosophy: 'Our point of difference is life-changing results achieved by people with weight and diabetes issues. No diets, fads or other restraints, just a few simple changes to their normal way of eating!”

Leigh and the team also advocate breaking up long periods of inactivity, to get people moving on a more regular basis and not just one or two times a week at the gym.

'We use a number of different strategies to get people routinely moving,” adds Leigh.

'For example in an office, sitting on a balance cushion continuously engages your core and the cushion can be used to stand on, creating a dynamic balance effect.”

Mount New World will sponsor a local pilot wellness programme this September.

The NZ Blood Sugar Foundation are looking for motivated people, diagnosed as either pre-diabetic or diabetic, to be considered for this three-month trial, utilising a combination of their current methods and exercise.

Other individuals or groups can also sign on to learn about Eat for Keep's key concepts regarding healthy living and exercise, as well as compete and challenge each other to stay on track.

To sign up, contact Leigh on: [email protected] or: 027 294 1980. You can also donate to the charity by visiting: www.givealittle.co.nz and clicking on the ‘NZ Blood-Sugar Foundation' link.