Each new year, many people make a resolution to live a healthier life.
For those who need a helping hand – or perhaps a motivational push – to help them be successful with their goals, there are a variety of classes and support groups available through the Health Resources Center at The Mall at Johnson City.
The Health Resources Center is a service of Mountain States Health Alliance and provides a variety of free or low costs health services, classes, testing and support.
“We are so passionate about what we do and how we can help the community,” said Rachel Forbush, RN, one of the nurses at the HRC.
The services provided by the HRC are designed to help people be as healthy as they can possibly be, Forbush said.
“People have the ability to walk in and speak with a registered nurse and get health information,” she said. “We also have a registered dietician on staff who is a certified diabetic counselor. Anyone can come in by appointment and meet with her for one hour at no charge.”
A popular resolution each year is a commitment to eating healthier.
“We have a lot of classes on healthy living and nutrition,” Forbush said. The HRC offers classes on proper those battling diabetes or heart issues and also classes on over all healthy eating practices.
One of the programs geared toward helping those individuals who want to succeed in their resolution to live healthier is the new 20-15 challenge.
“It provides doable goals plus the motivation and accountability to help you stay on track,” Forbush said.
The program begins in January and runs through February and is free. In the 20-15 challenge, participants are asked to log 20 days of eating their recommended daily portions of fruits and vegetables and also log 15 days of exercising for at least 30 minutes.
“If you are logging things and you see it in front of you it helps,” Forbush said.
To help support the 20-15 challenge, the HRC is offering a Monday evening series of classes to help reinforce the healthy goals. The classes will be held from 5-5:30 p.m. on Mondays Jan. 12, 19, 26 and Feb. 2, and 9 and will cover setting realistic goals, staying active, being sensible and balanced and being adventurous.
One of the most important things to success, Forbush said, is knowing how to set and achieve goals.
“Don’t be afraid to set goals just because you failed in the past,” she said. Included in her other advice for success, Forbush encourages those trying to reach fitness or health goals to tell their family and friends, get a buddy to work with you on your goals, be realistic when setting goals and reward yourself when you reach milestones of success.
Another key piece of advice, Forbush said, was to not give up if you don’t see results right away or if you slip up.
“It takes about 21 days to change a behavior and then it takes about 6 months to get that change ingrained into your behavior,” she said.
For a full listing of the classes, health screenings and support groups available through the Health Resources Center, you can contact the HRC at 423-915-5200 or visit www.msha.com/hrc. Interested individuals can also just drop by the HRC any time they are open, Forbush said. The HRC is located in The Mall at Johnson City and is open Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.