When Betty Jo and Dick Otten moved from Dalton, Ga., to Newport, Ore., just over a year ago, the couple continued to enjoy a lifestyle filled with eating out at restaurants, regular desserts and minimal exercise. That lifestyle, however, started to take its toll on their health.

Last summer both Betty Jo and Dick were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after undergoing testing with their primary care physician. They were not shocked by the news.

“In Georgia, my physician told me I was borderline diabetic,” says 69-year-old Betty Jo. “I quit smoking, but I loved my sugar.”

The Otten’s Newport-based physician told the couple they could begin medication to help manage diabetes or they could use diet and exercise alone to get the condition under control. The couple chose to start eating better and adding physical activity into their lifestyle.

“We knew we needed to lose weight, and we realized our eating habits weren’t great,” says Betty. “We got a referral to the nutritionist and that was so helpful.”

According to Dick, 73, the nutritionist helped them understand what foods they should limit and what things were healthy. Portion control, he says, was something he learned was an important behavior to use.

“We love to go out to eat, but most restaurants give you double what you should actually eat,” explains Dick. “We still love to eat out but now go less, and make better choices when we do.”

Betty Jo, who says she’s “never met a French fry she didn’t like,” says she now takes healthy salad dressings with her to restaurants, eats a lot of fish, roasted chicken and broccoli, and indulges her sweet tooth in rich but small amounts of chocolate.

As for Dick, in addition to reducing his portion sizes, he has made changes to his regular breakfast menu. “I used to think having granola and milk was a good, healthy way to start the day,” says Dick. “I learned I was eating too many carbs in just that one bowl. I replaced the granola with cottage cheese and a small piece of fruit. I still have eggs and bacon sometimes and eat oatmeal some mornings as well.”

The Otten’s dietary changes have paid off. Both have lost more than 25 pounds and say they have more energy. They’ve started exercising regularly, and Dick, who suffers from emphysema, says that condition has improved with his weight loss.

“My pulmonologist said losing weight was the single biggest thing I could do for my health,” says Dick. “Our doctors are very pleased with the progress we’ve made.”

The Otten’s say they’ll continue to eat out and enjoy themselves – they’ll just be smarter about the choices they make.

“Old age is not glorious,” says Betty Jo with a chuckle. “But getting healthy has been a wonderful thing.”

Try one of the Otten's favorite recipes: Norwegian butternut squash and fish soup.