COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. — With the coming of a New Year, many of us are making resolutions to live healthier by eating right and exercising more often. Resolutions can be a great way to start the year especially if you would like to learn to cook new cuisines, start a new exercise routine or get out and meet new people. Penn State Extension in Montgomery County has opportunities to help you welcome the new year with a host of fun and informative classes and workshops that can enable you to reach your goals for the new year and keep them going strong all year long.
For those of you that are interested in eating better Extension has two series that focus on nutrition. Starting in February, Extension in Montgomery County will offer Dining with Diabetes.
Dining with Diabetes is a program for adults with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes and their families that will increase knowledge of healthy food choices and diabetes management. The classes offer healthy meal planning, food demonstrations, class discussions, and new physical activity choices. Consecutive classes are held with a three-month follow-up. Each class offers food demonstrations and tasting, physical activity, ideas to take home, and discussions regarding important information to help you manage your diabetes. In addition to program related booklets, participants will receive the Dining with Diabetes cookbook and have the option of having their A1C tested at the first and follow-up classes. A1c is a non-fasting blood test obtained by a finger stick. Results show a three-month average blood glucose level.
The class will be offered at the Montgomery County Extension Office starting February 5, 2020 from 10:00am-12:00noon. Register for Dining with Diabetes online at extension.psu.edu/dining-with-diabetes or by calling 1-877-345-0691.
Another option is a fun Let’s Cook Mediterranean workshop. Join-us for a tasty trip to the Mediterranean! In this hands-on cooking class, Let’s Cook Mediterranean, you’ll create and enjoy an authentic Mediterranean meal that’s healthy and delicious.
The Montgomery County Extension educator will help you with hands-on recipe preparation, walking you through every step. You will be able to taste-test what you cook during the class. Register for Let’s Cook Mediterranean online at extension.psu.edu/lets-cook-mediterranean or by calling 1-877-345-0691.
For those interested in increasing their exercise, join the in-person strength training program LIFT. This program is designed for inactive to moderately active adults aged 40+.
Participation in LIFT may result in improvements in functional fitness or the ability to perform activities of daily living with ease. Participants are encouraged to work together towards a common group goal while achieving their own personal goals.
LIFT sessions are held twice a week for one hour over the course of eight weeks and include an active warm-up, eight core strength-training exercises, and a cool down. The program also encourages increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed in your daily diet. There are several LIFT Classes that are ongoing in Montgomery county. Classes are starting soon and held at the following sites:
- Ambler – Senior Adult Activity Center starting January 14, 2020
- Pottstown – Tri-County Senior Adult Activity Center starting January 24, 2020
- Collegeville – 4-H Center starting January 28, 2020
- Lansdale – PEAK Senior Center starting February 10, 2020.
Register for LIFT online at extension.psu.edu/LIFT or by calling 1-877-345-0691.
Visit the Penn State Extension website for more information on these and other programs offered through your local office at extension.psu.edu/health. You can also call the Extension toll-free registration number at 877-345-0691 to enroll in any of these or other extension classes. For more information contact Mandel Smith, Extension Educator in Montgomery County at 610-489-4315.
–Penn State Extension