The program that’s goal is to make Iowa the healthiest state in the country has released a “seal of approval.” Liz Cox, a spokesperson for Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative, says the seal will be used to endorse various events. “We wanted to find a way to really give those people an opportunity to show their connection with the Healthiest State Initiative, and also turn around and support what they are doing by providing some online connections with them through our website,” Cox says.
To become endorsed by the Healthiest State Initiative, event organizers can go to www.iowahealthieststate.com. Cox says the programs are particularly important as the weather makes it more difficult to get outside. “We want people to stay physically fit and it’s a challenge for us to want to do that when it’s cold outside and it’s not so appealing to go out for a walk,” Cox says. “But, we do encourage people to encourage people to find a way to stay active — even when it’s cold outside and they don’t want to go outside.”
They’re encouraging partnerships as a way to motivate people to keep at the exercise. “We know that we’re more likely to continue with our wellness goals when we have a strong support team around us to keep us encouraged and motivated on those days when we really don’t want to get that active,” Cox explains. They try to focus on different things throughout the year. “In February we’ll be really diving into smoking cessation and the controversies around the E-cigarette and whether or not that produce is safe for us to consume as opposed to smoking,” Cox says. “Some people are under the idea that the E-cigarette is a safer way to use tobacco.”
Events with Healthiest State Initiative endorsement will be asked to promote the Healthiest State Walk on October eighth. The goal this year is to expand the walk to 500,000 people this year after the past three walks each featured nearly 300,000 participants.
(Reporting by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)