Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Backus, Plainfield team up to improve health of the community
We are all well aware of the obesity problem in the U.S. Here is a startling statistic: sixty-eight percent of us are overweight, and 33.8% are obese, according to the CDC.
The recommendation to “eat less and exercise more” is easily said, but not as easily accomplished. Anyone who has embarked on a program to eat healthier and increase their exercise discovers very quickly that doing it alone is extremely difficult.
To sustain a healthier lifestyle, it inevitably helps to join forces with friends, family members, or co-workers. It’s like a built-in support group; one team member doesn’t want to disappoint the others. This is why weight loss programs like “Thin’s In” or Weight Watchers are so successful.
Based on this premise, The William W. Backus Hospital and the Plainfield Recreation Department are organizing an “Active Challenge” as part of a year-long community initiative, “Enjoy LIFE (Lifelong Investment in Fitness and Exercise).”
Residents are invited to form either a family team or an adult team:
• Family teams can be one or two adults, and children under age 18.
• Adult teams will consist of at least four people, with a maximum of 8.
• Every team will choose a captain, as well as a name for the team.
• Family teams will receive a “passport to the Active Challenge” delineating many activities designed to improve nutrition and increase activity.
• Family teams will receive disposable cameras to record activities in their passport.
• Every team that completes or fills out a passport will receive a prize.
• Adult team members will each receive a pedometer and a journal to record daily milestones such as number of steps recorded, a food log, weekly weight, etc…
Team registration will be held June 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Plainfield Recreation Center, with a private weigh-in of each member of the adult teams.
Also on June 9, the first in a monthly series of community education events will feature Backus Registered Dietitian Sarah Hospod, who will present “Healthy Eating: It’s Easier than You Think!” She will discuss healthy snacks, calories, how to read nutrition labels, and more. This presentation is open to all and joining a team is not necessary.
Registration is requested for this free presentation by calling 860-889-8331, ext 2495.
For more information on the teams or the nutrition presentation, email enjoylife@wwbh.org or call Backus Education Department registered nurse Lisa Cook at 860-889-8331, ext. 7404 or Plainfield Recreation Department Director Myra Ambrogi at 860-564-1819.
Let’s focus on the positive, team up for a healthier lifestyle, and enjoy life in the process.
Alice Facente is a registered nurse and clinical educator with the Education Department at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Ms. Facente and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org. To comment on this or other Healthy Living columns, click below or go to the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs.
The recommendation to “eat less and exercise more” is easily said, but not as easily accomplished. Anyone who has embarked on a program to eat healthier and increase their exercise discovers very quickly that doing it alone is extremely difficult.
To sustain a healthier lifestyle, it inevitably helps to join forces with friends, family members, or co-workers. It’s like a built-in support group; one team member doesn’t want to disappoint the others. This is why weight loss programs like “Thin’s In” or Weight Watchers are so successful.
Based on this premise, The William W. Backus Hospital and the Plainfield Recreation Department are organizing an “Active Challenge” as part of a year-long community initiative, “Enjoy LIFE (Lifelong Investment in Fitness and Exercise).”
Residents are invited to form either a family team or an adult team:
• Family teams can be one or two adults, and children under age 18.
• Adult teams will consist of at least four people, with a maximum of 8.
• Every team will choose a captain, as well as a name for the team.
• Family teams will receive a “passport to the Active Challenge” delineating many activities designed to improve nutrition and increase activity.
• Family teams will receive disposable cameras to record activities in their passport.
• Every team that completes or fills out a passport will receive a prize.
• Adult team members will each receive a pedometer and a journal to record daily milestones such as number of steps recorded, a food log, weekly weight, etc…
Team registration will be held June 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Plainfield Recreation Center, with a private weigh-in of each member of the adult teams.
Also on June 9, the first in a monthly series of community education events will feature Backus Registered Dietitian Sarah Hospod, who will present “Healthy Eating: It’s Easier than You Think!” She will discuss healthy snacks, calories, how to read nutrition labels, and more. This presentation is open to all and joining a team is not necessary.
Registration is requested for this free presentation by calling 860-889-8331, ext 2495.
For more information on the teams or the nutrition presentation, email enjoylife@wwbh.org or call Backus Education Department registered nurse Lisa Cook at 860-889-8331, ext. 7404 or Plainfield Recreation Department Director Myra Ambrogi at 860-564-1819.
Let’s focus on the positive, team up for a healthier lifestyle, and enjoy life in the process.
Alice Facente is a registered nurse and clinical educator with the Education Department at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Ms. Facente and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org. To comment on this or other Healthy Living columns, click below or go to the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs.
# posted by ----------------- @ 9:44 AM 
