Duane Hicks
Plenty of people make New Year’s resolutions to get fit and lose weight, but how many of them follow through?
Here’s their chance.
Starting Jan. 11, a new free exercise and healthy lifestyle program for all fitness levels will be offered every Tuesday for 12 weeks.
The program will run for one hour—from 10:30-11:30 a.m.—at the Métis Hall (714 Armit Ave.)
Each session will include 30 minutes of exercise led by certified personal trainer Courtney Koval, as well as a 15-minute presentation and then a small snack afterwards.
There also will be prizes.
The exercise and healthy lifestyle program is open to everyone, although there is a focus on the link between keeping fit and diabetes prevention, explained Cindy Gauthier of the Valley Diabetes Education Centre here.
“We want to target those people with existing diabetes and those who are at high risk of diabetes, so prevention is a major component of this endeavour,” she noted.
“Exercise has been found to significantly decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes, so this will be a means of getting people motivated and instructed properly with the use of a personal trainer.
“We welcome absolutely anyone, and hopefully the motivation will be there due to the time of year,” added Gauthier, referring to the New Year’s resolutions many people make.
In addition to the exercise sessions, there will be an education component to each class.
“Healthy eating will be encouraged with many nutrition topics covered, as well as dealing with such issues as stress and depression—all the things that interfere with our overall health,” said Gauthier.
“If clients already have diabetes, this will be a means to get people back on track and motivated,” she stressed.
This program is being provided at no cost by the Valley Diabetes Education Centre, Sunset Country Métis, Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, and Northwestern Health Unit.
It is sponsored by the Fort Frances Lions Club, Voyageur Lions Club, Lifescan, and The Canadian Diabetes Care Guide.
To register, call 274-4828.
