National Healthy Weight Week is Jan. 15-21

WHITEHALL, Wis. - Tri-County Memorial Hospital, part of the Trempealeau County Healthy Weight Coalition, invites community members to participate in National Healthy Weight Week Jan. 15 - 21.

The new year is a good time to make positive changes in your life, according to Kris Benusa, Tri-County Memorial registered dietitian.

"Make yourself and your health a priority this year," Benusa said, noting that 28 percent of Trempealeau County citizens are overweight. "You can improve your weight and protect your health with a few simple efforts."

• Get 30 minutes of exercise daily.The 30 minutes does not have to be all at one time. It can be 15 minutes at lunch and 5 minutes at other times. Take stairs. Park at the back of the parking lot to increase the number of steps you take.

"Exercise burns calories, strengthens your muscles and improves your energy," she said.

• Eat five servings of fruits or vegetables every day.

"Use lunch and breaks to reach this goal," Benusa said. "If you eat one serving of fruit or vegetable at each meal, plus eat one serving -- a piece of fruit or bag of carrots -- at two breaks, you have your five servings."

She stressed the importance of bringing vegetables from home if they're not available at workplace. "Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and provide much-needed nutrients."

The Trempealeau County Healthy Weight Coalition’s mission is to support the creation of worksite environments that promote healthy food choices and increase physical activity to achieve a healthy weight.

If you'd like more information, please contact Barb Barczak at the Trempealeau County Health Department at 715.538.2311, ext. 231 or Benusa at 715.538.4361, ext. 1037.