Our environment, lifestyle, and eating habits all contribute to the wellness of our heart and bodies and how we function and feel.  Exercise and diet modifications are often recommended, not solely to lose weight, but to reduce stress.  Making these modifications can also offer benefits such as lowered blood pressure.  The Martinsville Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness has offered a Healthy Lifestyles class series beginning in November of 2007 that encourages local residents to make modifications in their exercise and diet.

 The Healthy Lifestyles program is composed of six classes designed to help better manage weight, reduce the risk of illness or injury, and lead participants in the right direction for a healthier life.  The first class is geared toward making changes toward a healthier lifestyle.  Another class deals with introducing the basic concepts of nutritional needs for health.  Classes in the program also focus on exercise, meal planning and recipes, grocery store tips, and dealing with obstacles to healthy lifestyles. 

 A total of 56 local residents have currently registered for the series of classes.  Many participants have lost weight, improved their self-esteem and augmented the diet of their whole family for the better.  After completing the program, one participant reported: “I went from size 16 jeans to a size 10. I learned a lot from this class and not only am I eating healthy but my family is also. I also walk and go to aerobics along with eating healthy. I started losing weight in January 2008 for my New Year’s resolution. I started Healthy Lifestyles and Aerobics in April 2008. These classes have been very helpful to me.” 

 The Healthy Lifestyles class series sponsored by the Health Coalition continues to prove to be a vital educational tool to aid residents in improving their diet and exercise for a more healthy way of life overall.  The classes provide the encouragement and information needed for local residents to make vital changes in their everyday habits that contribute to an improved life in general.