Promoting active and healthy living

Times Reporter   

 

One of the easiest ways to live a healthy and active lifestyle is walking. It’s free and all you need is a decent pair of shoes. In Strathmore, inclement weather doesn’t hinder walking, since there is indoor walking available at the Civic Centre for anyone interested.

The HEAL coalition (Healthy Eating, Active Living) is to thank for that and many of the active events that happen in the community.  


“Our whole goal is to create a community environment that is healthy and will support active living. One of our main goals has been walkability and encouraging people to walk within our community, whether that’s to get from place to place, or for recreation or athletic purposes, we want people to be moving more,” said Lisa Sader a coalition member.

The Town of Strathmore has always provided a space for indoor walking, but HEAL coalition members started to think of ways they could entice more people to take part in it. “We felt that it would be nicer if there was music on and if there was someone there. You go into the Civic Centre and it can just look like a big empty room but having a friendly face there saying ‘are you here for indoor walking’ and talking with them about walking and using a pedometer and tracking their steps has really encouraged other people to do a bit more,” said Sader. 

The coalition was first formed in May of 2007. They developed a vision, mission and goals. They next mapped out community assets and needs before beginning to implement action plans. 

“When we first started up back in 2007 we did a survey, we did a kick-off event and invited people to come to the Civic Centre. They had an opportunity to fill out the survey of what they would like to see and what are the barriers to healthy eating, active living,” said coalition member Robert Breitwieser. “Out of that what showed up most which was affordability and accessibility, so we said what’s affordable and what’s accessible? Walking came up so we said let’s make that our primary goal in terms of activities. “We felt this is something that almost anybody can do, you can do it as family or you can do it as an individual.” 

Breitwieser said over the years HEAL has learned some things about the community, where improvements are needed and other changes that need to occur. The coalition has worked and talked with the town and developers to connect walking paths and create more paths in the community. HEAL is best known for the Great Skate held at Kinsmen Park every year on Family Day, which sees people skating on the pond, going for wagon rides and enjoying hot chocolate. The coalition has also held successful Winter Walk Days, Walking Challenges and much more. Another project brought by HEAL was when they partnered with the Primary Care Network to provide discounted pedometers to residents. They can still be purchased at the Bank Athletic Club. By going to the http://healourfuture.com website you can track your steps. 

“That’s a whole other piece that encourages people to be more active because if you start looking at where you are and setting a goal to do more then odds are that you will improve upon your walking distance,” said Sader. “We encourage people to get out there and make sure their sidewalk is clear so that people can walk because that has posed a challenge for many people.” 

The HEAL coalition is hoping to add members to its ranks. They are looking to bring in new and fresh ideas that will help get people out of their homes and active. Joining the coalition is a great way to meet other people that are like-minded. Meetings are usually the first Monday of the month. 

“One of the things that has been a constraint is finances, we really have no money to work with, or very little money to work with but we have developed partnerships with the Lions Club, the Kinsmen Club, the Town of Strathmore, Primary Care Network and Tri-Smore,” said Breitwieser. “We have tried to link up all of activities with them and bring them in whenever possible and that has been really helpful and meaningful.” 

Despite financial constraints and only being a five-person group, Strathmore’s HEAL coalition has proven that they are doing something great. The coalition was awarded the Community ChooseWell Award for Southern Alberta in 2011 and 2012. On Nov. 21 ChooseWell once again recognized the coalition when they were awarded the Creating Healthy Opportunities award. To join HEAL or find out more info contact Lisa Sader at healourfuture@yahoo.ca or by phone at 403-901-8047.