On this special episode of Galesburg In Focus, clinical dietician and certified diabetes education specialist Chris Willis from OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center shares practical advice for getting healthy in the New Year. Willis emphasizes setting realistic goals with small, sustainable changes that add up over time—”small changes can add up to big changes”—rather than drastic fad diets that rarely last.
She recommends starting with beverages—cutting sugary drinks and switching to water or zero-calorie options—and building from there with more fruits, vegetables, and the plate method for portion control. Willis highlights the Mediterranean and DASH diets as the “one best diet” approach for heart health, diabetes management, and weight loss, and stresses the importance of gut health with 25–30 grams of daily fiber and probiotic foods like yogurt. She also discusses supplements (food first), the value of strength training (especially as we age), and common “healthy” foods to limit.
In the hour-long version, Willis flips the script and interviews host WGIL Chris Postin about his own health journey after a diabetes diagnosis last year. Postin shares how he lost 111 pounds with a GLP-1 medication, clean eating, portion control, and consistent strength training, plus the mental health side of obesity—shame, fear of regain, isolation—and how support from providers and family made all the difference.
Listen to the full interview for motivation and practical tips to start your health journey in 2026.