The Knox Community Health Service will be running Life!, a program that teaches people how to live a healthy lifestyle, get regular exercise and stay motivated.

Dietitian Chelsea Bone says the program is aimed at people aged 40 and above who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.

She said setting goals was a good strategy for achieving positive results.

"Increasing your fibre content and decreasing your total fat content is important."

Ms Bone said people should aim for 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. "You can be physically active as much as your limitations allow.

"If you're capabilities are for walking, that's fantastic. If you can do some swimming, that's great."

With many people finding it difficult to balance a healthy diet and work commitments, Ms Bone offers some helpful tips.

She said making a shopping list before going to the supermarket and making salads for lunches at work could be useful.

Breakfast, of course, is an important part of the day.

"It's really good for kick-starting your metabolism in the morning. It's important for getting all the vitamins and minerals for the day.

"If you have breakfast, you also don't tend to stop at that morning tea for some of the cheekier snacks like a bit of cake with your cup of tea.

"Hopefully breakfast makes you feel full."

For those in a rush, Ms Bone suggests a piece of fruit and yoghurt for breakfast on the go, or even a bowl of cereal at the office while checking your emails before work starts.

Instead of chocolates and potato chips, she recommends snacks such as low-fat yoghurt, plain popcorn, fruit and toast.

The program starts on March 4, and is run over several weeks.

There will be an update a few months later to ensure people are still on track to a healthier lifestyle.

Details: 9757 6200.