Skip to content

Central Alberta communities host healthy-living workshops

People looking to build a healthier lifestyle are encouraged to check out the spring schedule

People looking to build a healthier lifestyle are encouraged to check out the spring schedule of Alberta Healthy Living Program workshops.

More than 140 free sessions, presented by Alberta Health Services (AHS), will cover a variety of health topics, including heart health, weight management, nutrition, diabetes care and chronic illness management.

“Often, we find that people want to make lifestyle changes but they just don’t know where to start,” said Maureen Mailer, program manager for the Central Zone of AHS. “These sessions can help give people some direction and motivation. Our facilitators are dedicated to providing a positive, comfortable environment for our participants to learn and share their experiences.”

The sessions are led by AHS professionals who share their expertise in group discussions and provide support and encouragement to participants.

“It’s a great way for people to access information and support so that they can make well-informed, lasting changes for the good of their health,” Mailer said.

Aleah Lacey said her life has been transformed since participating in the program.

The 43-year-old Red Deer woman said the stress management techniques and the active-living advice she received while attending Better Choices Better Health, a chronic-disease self-management workshop, have played a positive role in sparking a new sense of optimism as she builds a healthier lifestyle.

“It turned out to be an awesome experience for me,” Lacey said. “It was eye-opening — the support and the information that they provided. The facilitators made it a wonderful experience. Their kindness and understanding made a big difference, and they present the information in a positive, engaging manner.”

Lacey also participated in other Alberta Healthy Living Program workshops, such as Diabetes the Basics and Weight Wise, which helped her address other aspects of her health.

“I’ve quit smoking, I’ve lost more than 40 pounds, and I am much more active now,” she said. “I feel so much more empowered and in control of my health,.”

Central zone health workshops scheduled for the Alix-Bashaw-Castor-Stettler region include:

BASHAW

— Craving Change at Neighbourhood Place on May 30, June 13 and June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

— Heart Wise at Neighbourhood Place on April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon.

ALIX

— Better Choices Better Health at Alix Old Fire Hall on April 18 and 25, May 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

— Diabetes the Basics at Alix Old Fire Hall on June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CASTOR

All at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital boardroom:

— Getting Started: Planning for Success on April 17 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

— Lifestyle Change: Tool Kit for Success on April 24 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

— Finding Balance: Role of Calories in Weight Management on May 1 (upstairs board room) from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

— Managing Hunger and Appetite on May 8 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

— Moving Matters: Including Physical Activity in Your Day on May 15 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

— Nutrition: Truth and What Works in Weight Management on May 22 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

— Nutrition: I Know I Should Eat Healthy, But How on June 5 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

— Eating Away and Special Occasions on June 12 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

— Minding Stress: Effectively Reduce and Manage Stress in Your Life (Part 1 and 2) on June 19 and 26.

STETTLER

— Diabetes the Basics at Stettler Hospital conference room on June 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

— Heart Wise at Stettler Hospital conference room on April 9, May 21, June 11 from 9 a.m. to noon.

— Respiratory education at Stettler Hospital videoconference room on June 10 from 1 to 2 p.m.

— Supervised Exercise information centre at Stettler Hospital conference room on May 7 from 1 to 2 p.m.

— Supervised Exercise Orientation and Lifestyles Education at Stettler Hospital on June 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The sessions run three times a week for eight weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

To register for a session, or for info, call 1-877-314-6997.

— Alberta Health Services