Healthy Portage Starts Here

Healthy-Portage-1On Tuesday, July 2, the month of July, 2013 will be proclaimed Healthy Portage Month. With the help of the Portage Parks Dept. and St. Mary Medical Center the Y will be offering Healthy Family Fun throughout the month. Weight management specialists widely cheered the American Medical Association’s decision to label obesity as a disease at its annual meeting in mid-June, including those who have previously argued that obesity isn’t always equivalent to poor health. So let’s GET HEALTHY PORTAGE!

FREE, fun fitness in the Park every Saturday morning at 10 am in July. Zumba will be on July 6 at Gilbert Memorial Park. Test your dance moves at the 4th of July parade and join the YMCA performing Zumba. During the parade, the Y will be distributing flyers promoting their collaboration with Texas Roadhouse. Bring the Dine and Donate flyer to Texas Roadhouse on July 29 and help the Y raise dollars for their Annual Support Campaign “We Build People” with the donation of 10% of receipts given back to the Y. Total Tone held on July 13 at Imagination Glen Park. Boot Camp on July 20th at Woodland Park and Yoga on the Beach at Lakefront Park on July 27.

Healthy-Portage-2Street banners displaying the Healthyportage.com website will be displayed on the light posts down Willowcreek Road. On July 26, the Y will be holding a Family, Fun Bingo event from 6:00-7:30 pm. $5.00 per person, kids 3 and under FREE. 50/50, concession stand and fun prizes will be present.

On July 30, St. Mary Medical Center, Registered Dietician will address Myths and Facts about Healthy Eating as well as provide us with general information about food and nutrition. This presentation will be held in front of Woodland Park’s Community Garden at 5:15pm before the Music in the Park event.

Learning How to Navigate the Grocery Store and the importance of reading labels is a FREE seminar held at the YMCA on July 15 at 6:00pm. Seminar presenter will be a representative from St. Mary Medical Center.

July 23, 24, 25 St. Mary Medical Center will be holding a 3 day, FREE diabetes event at the YMCA. This class is geared toward the new diabetic, or the patient looking for a refresher regarding the basics of diabetes care. Each day the class will run from 6-8pm.

Sports physicals will take place on July 25 from 5-8pm for only $20 at the YMCA.

Jenny Craig with Ideas in Motion shared, “I am so excited to hear about Healthy Portage Month! It is great for people to learn about getting healthy and the steps to take to do so. It is a great thing for the community and everyone involved. I hope to see everyone enjoying all of the fun and education!

The Y provides healthy living programs because wellness in the spirit, mind and body strengthens our very being and enhances our interactions with others. Questions regarding Healthy Portage Month can be directed to Amber Alexander at 219-792-9622 or e-mail Amber at amber@ymcaofportage.org.