WellLife™ Program
In June of 2002, WCHP received a three year grant from the Highmark Foundation to hold lifestyle-modification courses in Washington County. The WellLife™ Program was developed to teach county individuals health and fitness lifestyle modifications. Its goal is to teach participants how to create personal health and fitness goals to fit their needs. Each lesson presents information to the participants to encourage them to set realistic goals for increased physical activity and healthy eating habits as well as identifying and reducing psychological barriers. An additional aspect of the course is to provide hands-on skill development. This includes participatory fitness, cooking demonstrations, and stress management skill building. Faculty for the course will consist of a registered dietitian (or equivalent), an exercise physiologist (or equivalent), and a psychologist (or equivalent).
The curriculum of the lifestyle modification course is a blend of lessons on exercise, diet, and stress. Each lesson enforces the next lesson. The proposed structure for the two-hour, evening, once a week for eight consecutive week course, plus two follow-up assessments is as follows:
- Week One is dedicated to course introduction and overview, explanation of self assessment tools, introduction of course instructors, and the administration of the Personal Wellness Profile.
- Week Two is dedicated to nutrition basics. This will include information on the Dietary Guidelines, the Food Guide Pyramid and the Food Label.
- Week Three is dedicated to being active. The discussion includes the following information: Benefits, types, importance, exercise do and don’t, target heart rate, proper clothing, and starting a walking program. Group will participate in activities.
- Week Four is dedicated to Stress Reduction and Stress Management. The lesson will identify stress and it’s relation to health, sources, recognition, and coping skills. Relaxation techniques will be discussed.
- Week Five motivates one to eat better and be more physically active by viewing the It’s All About You 5 step video. Physical activity follows.
- Week Six focuses on healthy eating. Fat, cholesterol, fiber, weight management, fad diets, and food safety will be the topics discussed.
- Week Seven reinforces and encourages participants to “Move Your Body” and exercise. Physical activity session.
- Week Eight is dedicated to “Cooking for a Well Life™”. Recipe modification will be discussed and demonstrated. A healthy dinner will be served.
- At Six months, participants will be reunited to assess the lifestyle behavior change(s) by administering the Personal Wellness Profile and collecting clinical data. Refreshments will be served. Activity to be determined by participants.
- At Twelve months, participants will be reunited again
to assess their lifestyle behavior change(s) as well as clinical
data collection. Refreshments will be served. Activity to be determined
by participants. The participants will graduate the course by receiving
a Well Life™ Program completion certificate.
Since implementation, eleven programs have been held.
2003 programs
- Canonsburg General Hospital – March
- Cameron R. Wilfred Wellness Center – March
- Monongahela Valley Hospital – September
- LeMoyne Multicultural Center – October
2004 programs
- Canonsburg General Hospital – March
- Cameron R. Wilfred Wellness Center – March
- Mt. Olive Baptist Church – September
- The First Baptist Church of Donora – November
2005 programs
- Canonsburg General Hospital – March
- Cameron R. Wilfred Wellness Center – March
- Monongahela Valley YMCA – April
- Washington City – to be announced
For more information on the WellLife™ Program or to fund a WellLife™ Program, please contact Mary at 724-222-6511 ext. 11 or md@wchpinc.org.