Moose Jaw company tackles city’s high levels of obesity with free health style program

MOOSE JAW – Moose Jaw is getting an ambitious, new program to help residents get in shape – and it’s all for free.

“Certainly nothing like this has ever been done in Saskatchewan before. To my knowledge, nothing like this has ever been done in Canada before,” said Mark Lemstra, President of Alliance Wellness and Rehabilitation.

Alliance is partnering with the YMCA to offer a 12-week program that includes group sessions of exercise, dietary education, and cognitive behavior. Participants need to have a doctor’s referral, and a body mass index of at least 30.

“A lot of people just think that going to the gym is going to decrease their weight but, actually, it’s 90 per cent diet, and 10 per cent exercise,” said Alliance exercise therapist Nicole Brattan.

The idea is to develop the entire spectrum of factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

“With the cognitive component, we’ll get them to have a behavior change,” said Brattan.

Getting in shape and being healthy is especially important in Moose Jaw where, according to Statistics Canada, over 60 per cent of adult residents are overweight.

“Anything that promotes health and wellness within the community and more activity by residents benefits us all,” said Mayor of Moose Jaw Deb Higgins.

April Wiebe, a participant, knows how easy it is to develop unhealthy habits: “You don’t have time anymore to go home and make a healthy meal or make the healthier snacks.”

She’s hoping to change that to make sure she “can still enjoy the sports with my kids instead of just sitting and watching them play.”

One of the requirements of the program is to complete it with a family member or friend, which provide accountability and social support; Wiebe will be attending the sessions with her daughter and coworkers.

“I think that’s harder for people to do than when you’re just letting yourself down,” she said.

There are 1,000 spots available, which will be spread out in cycles over two years. Participants need to be between 18 and 84 years old.

Lemstra says the goal is prove it works here, and move it forward: “Start in a small community, expand to other small communities and then expand it to the whole province.”