The challenge to stay fit and healthy is important for every person, no matter what your bathroom scale says.
The Thamesview Family Health Team (TFHT) in Chatham is helping its patients reach their optimum health with the FHT Challenge, a 6-month program to make healthy eating and lifestyle choices.
According to Laura Schauer, a registered nurse with the TFHT, the program started in 2012 and has helped patients with several aspects of their health such as improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and bringing blood sugar levels into the normal range. It isn’t just another weight loss program.
“We set goals in all areas, and a patient may not lose weight but has lowered their blood pressure or improved their blood sugar numbers to help reduce the progression of diabetes, so at the end of the program, they didn’t have to go on insulin,” Schauer said.
Cathy Lanigan, TFHT administrative assistant, said the program doesn’t just benefit the individuals enrolled.
“The program helps transform whole families with a lifestyle change to better, healthier eating habits and being more active,” she explained.
To help people in the program continue to progress and maintain their healthy lifestyle, the TFHT is entering 255 current and former participants of the FHT Challenge program in a draw for an elliptical trainer. The draw is being held Sept. 25 at the office on Grand Avenue and people who received a call must be in attendance to win.
Lanigan said Dr. Kate Bailey, an allied health professional with the TFHT, who dropped 70 lbs. and has maintained her healthy weight, is asking patients of the THFT and staff to join her for the CKHA Pumpkin Run coming up Oct. 5 at Rondeau Provincial Park. The 5K/10K Walk Run is in its second year and is a great way for individuals and families to get fit and have fun, while raising funds for the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) in support of CKHA’s most urgent capital equipment needs.
“Dr. Bailey’s motto is ‘Fitness is Medicine’,” Lanigan said, a motto that will be going on the T-shirts of her team members in the Pumpkin Run.
For more information on the CKHA Pumpkin Run, or to support the FHT team, check out the CKHA Foundation website at www.foundationckha.com.
