Power by the Hour was originally named that because it is taking one simple hour out of our day to exercise and eat right, knowing that we can’t change our habits quickly, and so if we empower you to make healthier lifestyle choices hour by hour, is at least a step in the right direction.
Allina has identified childhood obesity as a public health issue in our community. So it’s an opportunity for us to interact and engage with community members, schools, churches, community organizations, to help offer this type of program to help them battle childhood obesity.
Power by the Hour does a great job of giving hands-on activities for kids to learn about nutritious healthy snacks, to learn what’s important for their body, to learn to get their heart pumping, and the importance of that. So, they give them fun ways to be active and make good choices.
What they’re learning right now is going to carry with them and I think the more this message gets out there in different ways, they’re going to connect these dots, especially as they get older and see the importance of healthiness at school, at home, wherever they might be.
Children are programmed to run and play, to have fun. So you put a group of children together and they just naturally gravitate toward activity and wanting to put on a pedometer, and check their steps and challenge each other.
Power by the Hour can fit into any classroom or home environment. It’s really about having kids do fun hands-on activities. There are charts on the wall where kids can learn to count their steps, how much sugar there is in pop, which is startling for kids. It’s a fun factor for them. And activities that have hands-on visuals really turn out to be fun for kids.
Parents know the obesity rates are high. They know it’s a challenge to get the kids off the electronics and get them moving more. To have a program like this that shows kids healthy choices, how to Increase fruit and vegetable consumption, drinking more water over the sugar-sweetened beverages, and getting out and exercising is greatly important.
The most rewarding part of this program is watching the kids eyes light up when they get to be active, and learn more about food and that what they put in their bodies affects how they feel all day long.
Frankly, we were very surprised at how well the kids initially did respond and continue to respond. I think it’s a combination of practical activities and the energy through physical activity, the classroom, the nutrition, and suddenly the light bulb goes on, and they realize – wow, I didn’t realize there was that much sugar in pop.
Now, families can access Power by the Hour from home with kid-friendly lessons, such as how to eat right and move your body. You can also learn more about bringing Power to the Hour to your community at allina.com/healthyweight.
Take Action Weight Management
The Take Action program is a 12-week program where we combine nutrition, fitness, mind, body wellness, and coaching to really provide people with very comprehensive program. The Take Action program is a weight management program. And so my job is to really help people figure out what gets in the way of them being successful.
"And I really needed the support of a team of people who really were experts in their field, and that's what made a difference here."
It's different in the sense that they're really focusing on teaching people how to change habits, which most of us don't know how to do.
Those who come here who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression. And, by the type of staff members that we have in the program, we are able to address those specific needs.
For a holistic approach to weight loss, the Take Action program can help you achieve long-term goals and success. Take action today at allina.com/healthyweight.
Weight Loss Surgery
"I ate everything, and I was never full."
"A few years ago, I got up to a high, about, over 380."
"And I was overweight, 100 pounds overweight."
If somebody has more than 100 pounds to lose, the weight loss surgery is really the best treatment for severe obesity right now.
"They treat you as not just a patient. They're there to help guide you, they answer your questions. They're there anytime you need them."
"It's still a daily battle, and anyone who thinks it's a quick fix, or it's just an easy way out. I have to tell you, it's not."
"You have to exercise. You can't just let the surgery do the work for you, You have to work with it."
You should look for a program that's a designated "Center of Excellence." Allina has three Centers of Excellence – United Hospital, Unity Hospital and Abbott Northwestern Hospital. And these are programs that have been designated as having exceptional levels of care.
"Now I really feel like I'm living my life, almost for the first time."
Want to lose weight and keep it off? Learn the skills you need to develop healthy lifestyle habits and improve your fitness level through this 12-week program.
More than 10,000 people throughout the Twin Cities and Minnesota have achieved long-term weight loss, and started a new, healthier chapter of life with weight loss surgery at an Allina Bariatric Center.
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