Take the initiative

Image courtesy of healthyinitiative.org

One of the greatest blessings in life is good health, and still, many Americans don't have it. It's no surprise that obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease run rampant among the United States population, with many of us not reaching the minimum standards for physical activity, but overachieving in terms of caloric intake. Realizing this, however, is the first step towards uncovering a new healthy lifestyle. For the Chicagoans who are ready to take on their own health and fitness journey, think about the Healthy Initiative “Healthy in Chicago” campaign. 

Healthy Initiative is working to help stop the spread of obesity, changing the lives of many Chicago adults and children along the way. It is a philanthropic effort headed by Shea Vaughn, founder of the revolutionary mind-body wellness program, SheaNetics®. You may have seen her on Ellen,  Windy City Live, and heard about her book, Breakthrough: The 5 Living Principles to Defeat Stress, Look Great, & Find Total Well-Being. She is also the mother of Vince Vaughn. Having a strong fitness background, this health initiative came naturally to her. Learning about the obesity statistics was a pivotal point. "Hearing that for the first time in history the possibility that parents will being burying their children shocked my heart, as I couldn't imagine anything more painful than that," Vaughn said. Motivated and inspired, Vaughn organized the initiative.

Healthy Initiative is partnering with community and other like-minded organizations, wellness programs, doctors, and government to promote this cause. One of these organizations is Give A Little Does A Lot, which aims to promote healthy living through public education and fitness and nutrition programs. This new non-profit organization was created "for the purpose of raising funds to give to the children of Chicago and the schools," said Vaughn, "and support programs that will help to educate the children as well as involve them in after-school activities." As it is with almost everything in life, it is knowledge that brings about change. Raising public awareness about the deleterious effects of an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle will hopefully end the obesity epidemic. Chicago is hopefully just the beginning.

Photo courtesy of askcms.com

This whole thing is not just a campaign; however, it's a program. It's a new lifestyle. Healthy Initiative will select from a list of applicants 40 individuals who are ready to make a change. For 90 days, participants who sign up for the Healthy Initiative’s 90-Day Breakthrough will get an entire year's membership to XSport and a chance for those 90 days to work with health and fitness experts to give them the support and guidance they need to keep themselves on the path of wellness. Participants will also receive a program manual and guidebook with mental lessons and coaching, dietary and nutritional outlines, and exercise routines to help them through the 90-day process of transforming their lives in a way that is sustainable. 

They will also have the opportunity to interact with the team behind this initiative. This is a personal journey, but "it's a very hands-on experience," according to Vaughn. Participants will be using SheaNetics, along with other exercises to improve their health. Though this program is aimed at weight loss, cardio and resistance training will be used, as well as exercises to improve flexibility. This entire 90-day package is valued at around $6,000. The participants of this program are receiving a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change their health with some of the most respected names in the fitness and wellness industry. "It's not a challenge," added Vaughn, "as all the candidates will be winners and will celebrate their individual success."

Photo courtesy of noblepcs.com

To kick off this program, Healthy Initiative is organizing Laugh Yourself Healthy. This fundraiser is aimed at raising awareness and promoting the initiative by means of local comedy. It will be held at The Laugh Factory on November 1st. Check www.healthyinitiative.org for more details on the event, including the schedule of performances.

So, to everyone in Chicago: if you or someone you know is ready to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle, head on over to Healthy Initiative and apply today! 

xo,
k.

*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.