A new 12-step wellness program coming to White and Warren Counties at the start of the new year, promoting healthier diet and lifestyle choices.
White County Health Department Public Health Educator Ashley Roberts said the 12 Steps to a New You class allows participants to set health goals for themselves weekly, building on each goal until completing the program. Roberts said the goal of the class is to instill 12 life-long, healthy habits in each participant.
“And these challenges can be as simple as let’s get six to eight cups of water per day or how about we try to walk 30 minutes per day or have some kind of exercise, or just walking,” Roberts said. “Just tips and tricks. And we discuss their progress.”
Roberts said the program began three years ago, aiming to improve public health overall through physical activity, nutrition and mental health changes. Roberts said the department hopes to solidify the program, aiming to make the class permanent if attendance allows for it. Roberts said participants are weighed and take a survey to see what health concerns that they may have. Once a week, participants receive challenges and reflect on the previous week, tracking continual progress to make a lasting impact on the participants.
“if you don’t drink any water whatsoever everyday, and you’re immediately asking for eight cups a day, that can be scary to some people,” Roberts said. “So this program, I believe, helps so much more because we’re building up to that eight.”
Roberts said the department assigns a health coach to each participant to help maintain the tools acquired through the program. Roberts said the department makes weekly calls, checking in with the participants on progress they make toward weekly goals, while maintaining those from the previous week. Roberts said these calls help local departments determine if further resources are needed to help the participant.
Roberts said a final weight-in and post survey are conducted at the end of the program to track positive changes in health and overall wellness of the participant. Roberts said participants often are awarded with prizes for their achievement.
Roberts said the class promotes healthy meal times and adequate sleep to better overall mental health.
‘We have had so much great success with this program over the past three years,” Roberts said. “I just can’t wait to see what else it’s going to continue to grow and do.”
Roberts said participants receive folders with weekly tabs to track progress and see the changes in their lifestyle.
