Health Education

Each summer the Fayette County Health Department and the United Way of Fayette County sponsor a free 12-week exercise program for those Kindergarten age through adulthood. This is done on the honor system requiring the kids to exercise 30 minutes three times a week and the older kids and adults 45 minutes three times a week.

Incentives are given to both children and adults at the beginning of the program during sign ups. All participants are required to attend one of Pat Brinkman's nutrition classes which are spread out throughout the summer for the convenience of participants. Children may attend the nutrition class or attend the exercise class which has been specifically prepared for children.

The exercising should be beyond what the person would normally do. Each week the individual brings in their signed paper verifying that they did indeed do the prescribed amount of exercise and at that time they get a new slip. This is done for each of the twelve weeks until the program is complete.

Those who have completed ten of the twelve weeks by the end of the program receive a $20 gift card from one of three area businesses.

The Fat Fighters program has been in existence for exactly one year at the Fayette County Health Department. It is an individual weight loss and fitness program that encourages participants to eat in a healthy manner and engage in exercise that is approved by their health care providers and suitable for them personally.

We know that in order to successfully lose and keep weight off, it is necessary to find what works for the given individual. Each of us is an individual with individual needs and different things work for different people. We know that portion control and exercise are the two essential ingredients for success but each person may have a different way of getting there. This program is meant to be helpful, encouraging and motivational. If a person has health or nutrition problems that need to be addressed, it is very important for them to contact their health care providers or other professional for advice.

Fat Fighters meet every Monday evening at 5:30 p.m. after weigh-ins which take place starting at 5 p.m. The motivational talk starts at 5:30 and ends at 6 p.m. The fee for this is $5 for the first meeting and $2 thereafter. We do not hold meetings on legal holidays. If we are closed due to inclement weather, this will be aired on WCHO radio. We discourage participants from coming out in general when it might be a hazard for them to try to get here even when we haven't officially closed.

If you have any questions or would like to join the Fat Fighters, please call the health department at 335-5910.

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The Rolling RImples is sponsored by the Fayette County Health Department and the United Way of Fayette County. It was established in 2007 as the brainchild of Karmel Payton. The name for the group was created by Dal Craig-Crawford. It is a free four month at a time weight loss and fitness program that involves teams of 4 or 5 people from agencies and businesses in the immediate Washington C.H. area. Some places have more than one team.

On a given date at the end of each of the four month periods, Karmel and Dal go to each of the participant sites, weigh the individuals, and each receives an original letter from Dal and a piece of fruit along with encouragement to keep up their good health attaining and maintaining practices.

Some people are in it for the accountability and companionship while others are serious about winning the prizes. At the end of each program when the final weigh-ins have been done, a first, second and third place individual winner is named along with the top winning team. For the individuals, first place is a $100 gift card; second place is a $50 gift card and the third place winner receives a $25 gift card. Each of the winning team members gets a $50 gift card.