Archbold Medical Center| Archives Magazine | Fall 2019

Taylor Brittain 8 ARCHBOLD MEDICAL CENTER THE LIVE BETTER FIT 2019 PROGRAM IN SOUTH GEORGIA, obesity rates and prevalence of chronic disease are typically higher than the state or national average. In fact, many of the health conditions preva- lent in Thomas County—including heart disease, stroke, COPD, sleep disorders, vascular disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and spine problems— have a common denominator: obesity. That’s why an Archbold-led collaborative of key community leaders and partners formed Live Better in 2016. We can live better Live Better’s primary goal is to reduce obesity rates in Thomas County and, in turn, improve the overall health of the county’s residents. Successful weight loss is multifaceted. To lose weight safely, people must focus on proper nutri- tion and exercise. Having a good support system in place can also be very helpful when beginning a weight-loss journey. When all of these compo- nents are in place, a person is more likely to suc- cessfully lose the weight. But more importantly, they are learning the tools necessary to adopt an overall healthy lifestyle, which will prepare them to keep the weight off long-term. Putting it all together This summer, Live Better launched the 25-week Live Better Fit (LB Fit) wellness program, a col- laboration of local businesses and gyms that are committed to teaching people how to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle. Upon enrollment in this summer’s LB Fit program, participants underwent a health assessment. They completed a demographic ROBERT GILMORE Age 36 Gym: Planet Fitness “I’ve been losing weight on my own for about a year before this opportunity fell in my lap,” said Robert. “I feel like this is a great program that will help fill in the blanks that most diet and fitness programs lack and will help me adopt a maintainable, healthy lifestyle. “I’ve struggled with my weight for almost 15 years, and I finally decided to address the issue—since I want to be able to play with my kids, and you can’t do that on bad knees,” he said.