Table 3.

Common Themes From Open-Ended Program Satisfaction Questions (n = 161)

Theme	Illustrative responses
Valued knowledge and information acquired	“The information that they gave. The information they gave was good information. It kept me motivated because I’m going to the gym today.” “She liked learning that even though she hasn’t had a heart attack that just having risk factors (e.g., diabetes or high blood pressure) that those things can lead to a heart attack. She didn’t know that before the class.”
Benefited from the group format	“Well I hope all enjoyed the class as much as I did, plus I enjoyed being with the senior because you have to remember senior don’t get out like they used to when they were younger so it is really just a joy for us to get out and be among people that we can relate to.” “The whole group setting. Just being able to speak to other people in the same situation being there with the same intentions to improve their life.”
Empowered/motivated to make changes	“I loved the way they motivated me to set my own goals and get me motivated to do things I needed to do in my life.” “It has given me the power to reset what I do to live healthier. I am hyped, I am geeked, I am elated from the information. I was empowered by it. It has motivated me and has kept me motivated. It was just phenomenal.”
Very satisfied with overall program/nothing participant didn’t like	“[I liked] the information that was given, the health educator, just everything about it. The goal setting, the freebies, the whole program. The health educator’s enthusiasm, consistency, friendliness, and knowledge about topics. Lifesaving, life changing.” “If I could do it all over again, I would. I really would.”
Excellent instructor	“Our instructor was GREAT—she made the class feel so close, like we were just friends, felt comfortable speaking in front of one another, we interact together very good—you felt like if you asked a question, you weren’t asking something out of place.” “She took time to explain, she didn’t just give you the paperwork she actually explained to us.”