Healthy Living Webinar Series
Finding balance: Weight, emotions, and movement
It is the new year and many of us are reflecting on the past year and looking for opportunities to improve our health in the coming year. Whether you are looking to increase your minutes of physical activity, consume more fruits and vegetables, get better quality of sleep, or simply manage the everyday stresses of life better, the new year is a great time to embrace and implement new skills and set goals to help you live a healthier life.
University of Illinois Extension will be offering healthy living webinars in January beginning Thursday, January 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Weight Equation: An Introduction to Weight Management
Establishing and maintaining a healthy body weight is not just about following a diet plan or being active. It is a culmination of all of our daily choices, those that are made consistently over time. In essence, it is a reflection of our lifestyle. Our lifestyle involves healthy eating patterns, regular physical activity, stress management, and quality sleep. All of these health behaviors work together to impact health and prevent illness.
During this workshop, we will discuss reasons for weight gain, how weight is assessed, the benefits of losing and maintaining a healthy body weight, and offer tips to promote weight loss.
Understanding Emotional Eating: How Stress Impacts Hunger & Appetite - January 16, 6 to 8 p.m.
Believe it or not, we do not always eat to satisfy our physical hunger. Many of us turn to food for any number of reasons. Perhaps we are looking for comfort or feeling stressed and overwhelmed with life. Eating when we are not truly physically hungry can lead to unintentional weight gain, heartburn, and even impact our ability to get a good night’s rest. If you find yourself eating for reasons other than physical hunger, this online session could be for you.
During this presentation, we will increase your awareness of how emotions and stress affect eating habits, increase your ability to identify emotional triggers leading to emotional eating and provide helpful steps to reach your wellness goals.
Move More for Better Health - January 23, 6 to 8 p.m.
Physical activity is a cornerstone for wellness and significantly improves overall health. Yet, only one in four adults meet the physical activity recommendations for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, which increases their risk of developing chronic health conditions.
During this session, you will learn the difference between physical activity and exercise, the recommended amount and types of physical activity, and the importance of staying active as you age. You will also learn about how aging impacts your ability to engage in physical activity, the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, the importance of setting goals, and resources you can access at home to help you stay active.
Understanding How Diet and Lifestyle Impact Inflammation – February 6, 6 to 8 p.m.
Inflammation is the body's natural response to stressors. Understanding what causes inflammation and how to manage it better is the first step to improving your overall health. Many lifestyle choices contribute to the inflammation response. However, making small changes in our everyday lives can decrease the risk of inflammation and to better manage it. During this workshop, we will discuss inflammation and the impact lifestyle (diet, physical activity, and stress management) has on the inflammation process.
Building a Strong Immune System – March 6, 6 to 8 p.m.
We all want to protect ourselves from getting sick, and our immune system is our body's first line of defense. This complex network works to keep us healthy, but did you know that your lifestyle plays a significant role in how well your immune system functions?
During this session, we will explore how the immune system works, the different types of immunity, and the impact of lifestyle choices on immune health. And while no single food or behavior can completely prevent illness, you can boost your immunity by maintaining a healthy balance of nutrient-rich foods, getting enough sleep, staying physically active, and managing stress effectively. Join us to learn actionable steps to build and support a strong immune system. Let's take charge of our health together!
Building a Healthy Dietary Foundation – April 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The scientific connection between food and health has been well-documented for decades. Yet, diet-related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, continue to impact millions of Americans, as poor diet is a major contributing factor to the development of these chronic health conditions.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans help prevent diet-related health conditions by providing food-based recommendations to promote health while meeting your unique nutritional needs. Join us for an engaging session where we will explore the dietary guidelines and discuss the importance of customizing dietary patterns based on personal preferences and selecting foods that align with your calorie needs. We will help you build a solid nutritional foundation to make informed choices so you can follow a healthy dietary pattern at every life stage. The first step toward better health is developing a dietary pattern that works for you!
Webinars will be held on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. There is a $5.00 fee for each , which will cover the educational session, and pre-registration is required. Zoom links will be sent to participants on the day of the webinar. Payment is required to receive the Zoom link.