Center for Healthy Living’s 10-week program to focus on complete health improvement

The next session of the 2021 Complete Health Improvement Program -- otherwise known as CHIP – will start July 20. The virtual program is designed to help participants make changes to their lifestyles through education, practical experience and reinforcement with a main focus on behavior change. CHIP supports the physical health and behavioral health pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program and directly aligns with the University’s initiative to improve overall health and wellness throughout the Purdue community.

Beginning July 20, the 10-week program will meet virtually from noon to 1 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 23.

CHIP focuses on whole-person health and is based on the combination of four fundamental components: lifestyle, exercise, attitude and nutrition. Led by Whitney Soto, registered nurse health coach at Center for Healthy Living (CHL); Megan Shidler, registered dietitian at CHL; and Lindsay Bloom, health coach at Purdue Fort Wayne, the program puts emphasis on how individuals live, move, think and eat in regard to creating and maintaining a healthier way of life. Facilitated over 10 weeks and 20 sessions in a group environment with dynamic group discussions and peer support, CHIP integrates optimal nutrition, exercise and behavioral psychology principles and tools. Plant-based eating is at the core of the program’s nutrition education.

Results from the 2020 CHIP programming showed the following participant improvements:

• 67 percent of the individuals were prediabetic before participating in the program and now are no longer prediabetic.
• 44 percent of CHIP participants in 2020 had an uncontrolled blood pressure before participating in the program and have since controlled their blood pressure.

“Participants will get a comprehensive toolkit, guidance with plant-based cooking, food prep and exercise, online program content and much more,” Shidler says. “CHIP can help you by significantly reducing the common risk factors for lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Additionally, CHIP can also improve your health knowledge, energy, desire to exercise, resilience and life fulfilment.” 

Sara Thomas, assistant director of general studies at Purdue Fort Wayne, decided to sign up for a CHIP session because she knew her health was worth it, and she wanted to feel good in her own skin again.

“I learned how to make good food choices and to better recognize what choices are the best for my body,” Thomas says. “Foods I had believed to be healthy choices are not actually ideal to eat on a regular basis (like cheese, milk, processed anything). I also learned not to beat myself up if I do make a poor choice or have an off day. It is about realizing that one bad choice doesn’t mean it is over, and you just make the better choice the next time.”

Registration now open

The program – offered by CHL in conjunction with Lifestyle Medicine Institute – is available to benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan.

Interested individuals should register by June 25 via the Healthy Boiler Portal. The registration link can be found under the “Engage” tab, “Wellness Events” on the portal’s homepage. Healthy Boiler workshops are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan.

“Studies continue to show that healthier workers are overall more productive and happy,” says Candace Shaffer, director of benefits in Human Resources. “CHIP is yet another way for employees to engage in living a healthier lifestyle. The diversity of our employees requires a variety of program options so that everyone has the chance to find something that is right for them. We hope CHIP continues to be well received by members of our Purdue community.” 

More details about CHIP can be found online via the Lifestyle Medicine Institute’s website at www.chiphealth.com.

Questions

Questions about the upcoming CHIP session can be directed to CHL at 765-494-0111.