A group of Los Fresnos residents has lost nearly 100 pounds combined through a free city program aimed at lowering the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

The program is only halfway through, and participants are already seeing results. Type 2 diabetes is a serious health concern in the Rio Grande Valley.

For Lupe Martinez, the decision to join came during a simple breakfast with friends.

"We were discussing our numbers, and I realized that my numbers were not going in the right direction. So I decided at that point that I had to do something," Lupe Martinez said.

Lupe Martinez joined Los Fresnos' 2026 Diabetes Prevention Program in January. She has noticed changes since then.

"I noticed with my fluctuating numbers that my numbers dropped 10 points, and I was able to lose 12 pounds along the way. And not only that, but I gained a lot of friends," Lupe Martinez said.

Los Fresnos has offered the program for eight years through its Tu Salud Sí Cuenta, or Your Health Matters, initiative.

Los Fresnos Community Health Supervisor Christine Martinez explained how participants are selected.

"People are selected for the diabetes prevention program based on their risk factors for developing diabetes. So risk factors include age, lifestyle, and family history," Christine Martinez said.

The year-long program includes 22 educational sessions along with exercise classes throughout the week.

For Graciela Godoy, the lessons could have an impact beyond her own health.

"I changed a lot of my meals, how I prepare my meals, and how I see the food. I'm trying to get more vegetables or fruit in there," Godoy said.

She is now passing those lessons on to her two children. Her youngest is already trying more vegetables and fish, but she is getting more creative with her oldest.

"I try to find different ways to incorporate the vegetables in his meal, which is like smashing up the vegetables into puree, so it can be like, 'Oh, it's mashed potatoes,'" Godoy said.

The 2026 group still has six months to go. The city says support does not necessarily end when the year does.

"We build relationships with our participants, and we encourage them to continue participating. We call and just see how they're doing, we schedule one-on-ones, and so we absolutely continue to check in with them," Christine Martinez said.

For participants, that support has become part of the journey.

"You're not working in isolation. You're there, you have a lot of company, you meet a lot of new friends. And, you know, as you become older, your social circle grows instead of shrinks. So that was a plus in my life," Lupe Martinez said.

Watch the video above for the full story.