Online healthy-lifestyle program offered

PUTNAM COUNTY - Setting resolutions to be healthier is always a good goal. Sometimes though, you may need some assistance in reaching this goal. The Putnam County Health Department is starting a year-round program to promote healthy lifestyles that you can do from your home.
“Live Healthy, Live Happy Putnam County” will begin with a 6-week challenge titled “Wild, Wild West Healthy Living Challenge.” The focus of this challenge is to eat healthy, exercise and drink plenty of water.
In 2010 a coalition of Putnam County agencies joined together to support a county health assessment. A community survey was conducted and over 1,000 people returned their mailed survey which asked questions about personal health, mental health, health behaviors and much more.
“The survey found that over 70 percent of adults and kids living in the county are overweight or obese,” said Sherry Recker, director of nursing for the Putnam County Health Department. In response to this date, the committee decided to launch the “Live Healthy, Live Happy Putnam County” wellness initiative.
This is an on-line challenge initiative that enables participants to sign on as an individual or team member. You can then work on your on personal wellness goals in the privacy of your home.
During the challenges, you will only see those other participants that are closest to you on your journey. Your screen name is personal, encouraging you to meet your own personal wellness goals and rewarding you during the challenge.
The cost of participating in the Live Healthy, Live Happy Putnam County program is $20 per participant. This cost will include a t-shirt with the logo, and access to multiple challenges throughout all of 2012.
There will be prizes awarded to winners of the challenges.
The registration forms can be picked up at the Putnam County Health Department, Northwest Physical Therapy, YMCA, PT Services and the Council on Aging. They will collect money and hand out registration codes and materials
If people just want a registration form they can be picked up at all library locations, St. Rita's Ambulatory Care and Pathways.  These last sites will not be collecting money or handing out registration codes needed to sign on to the site.
Registration forms and payment may be dropped off at the health department of mailed to Putnam County Health Department, P.O. Box 330, Ottawa, OH 45875.
“We plan to have other topics as challenges during the year,” said Recker. She said other “wellness” topics they may focus on will include mental health/stress relief, smoking cessation and others.
“We’re also developing a calendar of suggested local activities for the website,” said Joan Kline, also with the Putnam County Health Department. “We want people to know where they may participate in a physical activity such as dance or an exercise class as part of their challenge.”
Kline said participants will also be able to give testimonials and participate in blogs on the site.
Recker said they will have drawings for prizes of people who reach certain point levels during their challenges.