If I challenged you to come up with one word to define Huntsville, I am willing to bet healthy wouldn’t make your top ten options.  Your word would likely stay along the lines of anything in the engineering world and for good reasons.

Rockets are everywhere. Sidewalks are not. Chain restaurants boom while farmer’s markets bust. Are you guilty of leaving Target and hopping in your car to drive to Barnes and Nobles because walking 5 stores down is, really far away?

Time to Get Active

We live in an area with the most amazing Spring and Fall seasons, yet we somehow never take full advantage of the trails, parks, and bike routes around the city.  We convince ourselves that we aren’t capable of a 5K run or donate have time to enjoy an amazing walk through the Botanical Gardens.

Our sedentary culture has awarded Alabama the honor of being the 2nd most obese state in the nation.  It is a shameful prize to have won, but I am proud to say that HudsonAlpha, Sterling Health, and Mayor Tommy Battle have worked diligently with our local businesses to create Healthy Huntsville.

The Launch

January 21^st marked the launch of a city wide initiative to train Huntsvillians to lead a healthier lifestyle through a change in diet and activity level.

The Healthy Huntsville website provides a central location to find FREE events and gatherings in our area which promote a mobile and healthy lifestyle including:

• Fleet Feet’s weekly group runs
• Couponing lessons
• Nutrition and diet seminars hosted by Huntsville Hospital.
• And much more!

This one site connects you to an entire local community ready and willing to get you moving and focused on good food choices.

A Healthy Plan

Beginning in April, Healthy Huntsville looks to inspire you through some friendly competition, as well.  There will not only be a major prize awarded to the person who has the most improved BMI but your mere participation in certain events will earn you points towards obtaining prizes like a trunk full of groceries from Earth Fare or a free personal training sessions from yours truly at Homemade Fitness.

Fleet Feet’s Double Helix Dash 5K run kicks off the competition. However, many other local businesses have already signed up.  The Botanical Gardens is putting together Alabama’s largest yoga class, The Huntsville Stars are ready to give you a professional athletes training session, Mayor Tommy Battle will lead a bike ride in May, and children and adults will have the opportunity in July to compete in a healthy chili cook off judged by local celebrity chefs.

Ghandi asks us to, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”  Healthy Huntsville invites you to be the change that creates a more fit Alabama and is ready to award those with the confidence and tenacity to take on their challenge.