A Way to Wellness, a free, evidence-based health education program designed to support adults in building sustainable, healthy lifestyles is planned by the McClain County Health Department to begin on Thursday, March 5, and run through April 23 at The Purcell Public Library.
Classes will be held Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will be led by Tamara Powell, Health Planning specialist, alongside Bret Wood, Community Engagement and Health Planning manager, and Jasmin Lujan, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse for the McClain County Health Department.
“A Way to Wellness focuses on the full picture of health,” said Wood. “Rather than emphasizing weight loss, the program promotes healthy lifestyle behaviors that support long-term well-being and the management of chronic health conditions.”
Participants will explore evidence-based topics including nutrition, physical activity, mindfulness, stress management, sleep, and SMART goal setting.
The program is designed for adults of all fitness levels and encourages participants to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, which can include everyday activities such as walking, yard work, or household chores.
The program will also include health assessments at the beginning and end of the course, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body composition using an In-Body scale. These measurements aim to help participants better understand overall health beyond weight alone.
“This approach allows participants to see meaningful changes in their health that may not be reflected on a traditional scale,” Powell said.
The program is open to adults ages 13 and older who are not pregnant and is limited to the first 15 registrants to allow for individualized guidance and support. Each participant will receive healthy incentives for participation.
Registration is now open and available by calling the McClain County Health Department at 405-527-6541.
