Get your health and happiness on track

If you feel the poor lifestyle choices you've made in the past are starting to catch up with you, why not sign up for the Lighten Up program and get your health and happiness back on track.

Lighten Up is a healthy lifestyle program coordinated by Queensland Health, aimed at motivating people towards better eating, exercise and relaxation habits.

Two courses will kick-off soon, the first in Maroochydore (August 4th -- October 27th 9.30-11.30pm) and the second in Caloundra in the evening (September 8th -- Dec 1st 6.00 -8.00pm).

Lighten Up helps participants to 1) develop a healthy attitude to eating, 2) prepare and enjoy healthy food, 3) fit physical activity in their day, 4) manage stress, 5) set realistic, achieveable goals and 6) make long-term behaviour changes to support a healthy lifestyle.

Program Coordinator, Kerry Roach said, "Most people join the program with the aim of losing weight and whilst some are successful, they more importantly learn to ditch the diet mentality, prioritise their health and set realistic and achievable health goals.

"Lighten Up is not a weight management program, but rather a healthy lifestyle program suitable for people of all shapes and sizes."

Kerry said, "Punishing diets and exercise regimes are not a part of Lighten Up, instead it encourages eating everything in moderation, finding activities that you can enjoy regularly and developing an awareness and acceptance of unhealthy habits and their triggers.

"Increased energy, vitality, motivation, sleep, self-confidence, pride, self-awareness and libido are among the many behaviour changes reported by graduates of the program.

She said, "Graduates of Lighten Up also report that they have significantly changed their eating, shopping and exercise habits and feel confident to maintain these changes in the long-term."

Lighten Up costs participants $20 to participate and involves them attending a two-hour workshop once a fortnight for 14 weeks.

Any male or female over the age of 18 years, who wants to improve their health and reduce their risk of chronic disease, is eligible to register. It should be noted that this prevention program is not designed for people with existing chronic illness.

Lighten Up is run by trained health professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Dieticians, physiotherapists, social workers & psychologists, present specialist information on nutrition, physical activity & behaviour change.

If you're interested in making healthy lifestyle changes, don't delay, register today by calling Kerry Roach on 5470 6985 (Mon-Fri) or simply email your contact details to: kerry_roach @health.qld.gov.au. Courses are limited to 15 participants, so please register early to avoid disappointment.  

Lighten Up program
Maroochydore (August 4th -- October 27th 9.30-11.30pm)
Caloundra (September 8th -- Dec 1st 6.00 -8.00pm)
Lighten Up costs participants $20 to participate and involves them attending a two-hour workshop once a fortnight for 14 weeks.