On January 10th Boone Memorial Hospital held two informational sessions regarding its Healthy Lifestyle Program. Between the two sessions, one morning and one evening, over 160 people attended. In addition, over 50 people inquired by phone and have since signed up.
Program Trainer, Kathy Hill, APRN, FNP-BC, was overwhelmed with the response.
“Last year we had over 200 people as well, but it was our first year. This being our second year, I didn’t expect this type of turn-out. It was wonderful,” said Hill. “This goes to show the need is great in our community.”
Participants are expected to attend weekly meetings each Thursday, which are offered several times throughout the day, including morning, afternoon and evening. Classes last approximately one hour and include education and resources regarding nutrition, stress reduction, healthy living and diabetes prevention. The program will begin Thursday, January 24th and continue for one year. Pre-Registration is required.
Weigh-ins are held weekly, which are optional and private.
Last year over 1,500 pounds was lost, with the biggest loser, Kimberly Holstein Hill of Camp Creek losing 80.5 pounds. Kim said the weight loss was “life changing.”
“Of course we did lose some people along the way and we referred 50 of the 200 to our Diabetes Education classes,” explained Hill. “But of that 150, there were 42 very active participants the entire year. It was amazing to see the transformation, not only externally but internally. People gained confidence, experienced a decrease in stress and overall just felt better.”
A perk of the program is participants can utilize the Boone Memorial Hospital Fitness Center free of charge. In addition, the Director of BMH Cardiac Rehabilitation, Matt Downey, meets with active participants of the Healthy Lifestyle Program to teach them how to properly use the exercise equipment and to provide exercise tips and strategies to use along their weight loss journey. Downey is an exercise physiologist with a masters of science degree in cardiac rehabilitation and adult fitness. Due to the overwhelming response, there is currently a waiting list to enroll in the program.
“Unfortunately, with anything, people do drop-out,” said Hill. “So, don’t be discouraged by the waiting list. There is still a chance you may get in.”
