Whether you need to drop a few pounds, tone up muscle or modify your diet and daily routine, Health for Life can improve your life in 2015.
The popular wellness program offered at Ashtabula County Medical Center returns for an eighth year.
Health for Life is a 12-week wellness education program led by the health professionals of ACMC. The cost is only $20.
During the 12 weeks, participants attend educational sessions and receive free passes to several local centers to exercise. Classes are the first and third Wednesday of each month, and are offered at noon and 6 p.m. to fit with varying scheduled.
“We want to make this as convenient as possible for people, so we offer lunch time and evening class sessions,” Chiacchiero said. “We have class members who bring family and friends for support and encouragement. The ‘buddy system’ is very popular with our group, because you can hold each other accountable.”
Since the start of Health for Life, participants have lost nearly 4,500 pounds with an average weight loss just under 10 pounds per person.
“Not everyone needs to lose weight, so don’t think this is just for those who feel they are carrying around extra weight. The program is about learning tips and techniques to become healthy for life. We offer it right after the holidays because the start of a new year is often when people make a resolution to live a healthier lifestyle, but they don’t know where to start on their own,” Chiacchiero said.
In addition to the educational classes, Health for Life participants also receive:
- 6 Free Premiere Fitness passes ($72 value). Health for Life participants can join Premiere for $20 per month from January until April ($50 per month value – no joiners fee)
- 6 Free YMCA of Ashtabula passes ($72 value), plus $20 joiner’s fee if you join during the program.
- Six Free Passes to The Chalk Box ($18 value) for any fitness class. Also, get half off the regular program rate for two sessions ($30 value).
- 6 Free SPIRE passes ($60 value) plus 3 Free passes to Striders Walking Program (See SPIRE for more details)
- 3 Free Passes to the Jefferson Community Center
- Cooking tips
- Nutrition education
- Prizes for participation and for healthy weight loss.
Those prizes include cash prizes for Healthy Weight Loss (as determined by regular weigh-ins at ACMC Rehabilitation Services or Premiere Fitness). Other prizes include a night’s stay at The Lodge at Geneva State Park ($150 value), and memberships to Premiere Fitness ($474 value), the YMCA ($532 value), and SPIRE ($175.17 value).
Sign-ups are being taken now, with weigh-ins beginning on January 2 at Premiere Fitness or ACMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Department. Registration will continue until Feb. 1. The first class will begin on January 7. All sessions meet in the ACMC Solarium (fifth floor). The program runs through April.
Complete program information for Health for Life can be picked up at ACMC Rehabilitation Services or Premiere Fitness or signup online for the noon class or the 6 p.m. class, For more information, call 997-6634.