Sierra Blogging Post Archives

Sierra Trading Post isn't the only community enacting a health and wellness plan. The small town of Albert Lea in Minnesota has devised a get-healthy plan that has already added an average of 3.1 years to the lives of its citizens through diet and exercise initiatives.

The "Vitality Project," created by adventure and travel writer Dan Buettner and organized with help from the AARP and United Health Foundation, aims to change the lifestyle habits of the 18,000 residents of Albert Lea.


In addition to building walking and bike trails, restaurants in town started offering healthier meals, grocery stores showcased healthy options and residents committed to eating less fast and junk food and more fruits and vegetables. Schools stopped offering sugary treats and started offering "walking buses" where parents walk a group of kids to school in lieu of the bus. Employers in town even gave employees time to exercise during the day.

"A lot of health professionals are buying into the idea that this is a problem we're going to have to tackle in a lot of different ways," Nelson said. "This idea of a community approach is something a lot of people are really getting excited about."

The official organized portion of the "Vitality Project" ended this week but many residents have adopted permanent healthy lifestyle changes. "It's funny, once you cut out the bad stuff, you go back to it and it doesn't taste as good anymore," said Furland, 46, who lost about 15 pounds and added three years to his life expectancy, according to his survey.

I think it's great that Americans are starting to take health and wellness seriously. A community approach is a great way to tackle the problem of obesity in our country. We're doing it here at Sierra Trading Post - and you can do it at home. Get together with your family and devise your own health and wellness plan. Add years to your life simply by cutting out junk food, eating more lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and getting plenty of exercise.