GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO/KJCT) A partnership between Community Hospital and Western Colorado Community College is trying to help people live a better lifestyle.
It’s a lifestyle medicine program and it’s designed to replace the unhealthy eating habits a lot of people have with healthier options.
The program has everything from a nutrition assessment and a plan to hands on cooking demonstrations. The class focused on making a lifestyle change.
Cheryl brown was getting down in the kitchen at WCCC.
“To develop better habits,” said Brown, who is a student in the class.
She wants to make a lifestyle change.
“Many people want to do diets and diets don’t really work,” said Brown.
Through hands on teaching, learning, and cooking Cheryl says she is already seeing new habits form.
“Now I want to go to the gym and exercise, and if I don’t go I’m like oh I didn’t get to go today while before it was oh I have to go to the gym and exercise,” said Brown.
Wayne Smith is an expert in all things food and teaches the class. On the menu for this lesson is Mediterranean style.
“Mainly plant based, fruits vegetables and grains and nuts and seeds,” said Smith.
The students pair up with WCCC culinary students. They learn from them about preparing recipes, like roasting peppers, dicing jalapenos and finishing the final product. Throughout the program each student holds each other accountable through weekly food journals.
“You have to turn that in at the end of the week and if you do bad it’s embarrassing,” said Brown.
This can lead to positive changes and for Cheryl, she said it’s already happened.
“I find my joints don’t hurt as much and I’ve found I’ve lost weight and body fat,” said Brown.
The students all have that support system during the class to keep them on track and make sure they’re eating right and exercising.
A psychologist also comes in and talks to them and tells them how to stay on track once the program ends when they’re the only ones holding themselves accountable.
The class right now is being offered to employees of District 51, Mesa County and Strive. So those employees and their spouses can sign up to take this class.
If you’re interested in signing up, you can call or email Gussie Boyd. She is the SD51 Health and Wellness advocate. Her office number is (970) 263-2642. Her email is aboyd@gjhosp.org.
This program is ending in a couple weeks, but organizers say the next one will be offered at the end of next month.
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