Snow Hill, Md. – Get fit, lose weight, and improve your health with a free 16-week program offered Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m., beginning Aug. 20 at the Worcester County Health Department, 6040 Public Landing Road in Snow Hill.

To learn more about the program or to enroll, please call 410-632-0056.

Since the Worcester County Health Department began offering Lifestyle Balance in July 2009, participants have lost a combined total of more than 1,700 pounds and have noticed improvements in blood pressure, body fat and cholesterol levels.

When asked about the effectiveness of the program, recent participants said: “I am so thankful for this program. I truly believe it helped to save my life”; and “This program has improved my health significantly, I feel.” 

The free group sessions are led by coaches trained by the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program. Instructors include a certified exercise physiologist, certified nutritionist and health educator.

Each session includes education and physical activity. All participants receive a personal lifestyle change coach who assists them with goal setting, progress, and overcoming barriers. Participants also receive incentives such as step counters, resistance bands, exercise videos, cook books and more.

After the initial 16-week core program, groups will continue to meet once a month for six months.