Upcoming Wellness Events

Intuitive Eating Class Focuses on Relationship with Food

(ST. JOSEPH) – Community members are invited to attend a four-part series on intuitive eating which focuses on restoring a peaceful and easy relationship with food. The first class will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 30 in the Pharmacy Conference Room at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

“During the class participants will learn how to trust the body’s cues, release the grip of diet culture, and stop spending time and energy worrying about food,” said registered dietitian, Monique Miller, RD.

Each session is meant to be interactive and informative with both presentation and individual and group exercise components, as well as take-home materials to reinforce concepts presented. Preregistration is required. For more information, or to register, call 269.556.2868.

Bones in Balance Classes Helps Individuals with Osteoporosis

(ST. JOSEPH) – Lakeland Orthopedic Physical Therapy is now enrolling participants for Bones in Balance, a four-week program designed to teach those diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia how to successfully live with these conditions through self-management. Bones in Balance incorporates education and exercise and is led by specially trained physical therapists. The program includes valuable self-management tips from a pharmacist, registered dietitian, and nurse educator.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a four-week period at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph. Registration is now open for the next set of classes which will run from February 4 to 27 and be held at 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 44 million Americans, and although both men and women can develop the disease, over 80 percent of sufferers are women over the age of 45. Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as “the silent disease,” because bone loss occurs without any visible symptoms at first. Many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weak that the smallest strain or fall causes a bone to fracture.

A physician’s order is required to participate. There is a $25 registration fee to cover the cost of materials; the remaining amount is billable to your insurance. For more information or to register, call 269.556.7150.

Learn to Live Well with Heart Failure

(NILES) – Spectrum Health Lakeland will offer “Living Well with Heart Failure,” a free class for community members about congestive heart failure (CHF), a chronic condition characterized by the heart’s inability to meet the blood flow needs of the body. The program will take place on Tuesday, February 4, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Buchanan Health Resource Library at Lakeland Hospital Niles, located at 31 North St. Joseph Avenue.

Participants will learn to identify common causes and symptoms of heart failure, as well as new daily routines that can dramatically improve one’s quality of life. Preregistration for the class is required; call 269.556.2808 or 866.260.7544.

Bariatric Surgeons to Discuss Weight Loss Options

(ST. JOSEPH) – The Lakeland Weight Loss Center is offering a series of free seminars titled, “Lose Weight…Find Health.” The first seminar will take place on Wednesday, February 5 in the Community Conference Room at Lakeland Medical Suites, located at 42 North St. Joseph Avenue in Niles. A second seminar will be held on Wednesday, February 19 in the Community Room at Caring Circle, located at 4025 Health Park Lane in St. Joseph.

A bariatric surgeon will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come. The Lakeland Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan through bariatric surgery, diet and nutrition counseling, and monthly support groups.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 190 million adults in the United States are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40 percent overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight. However, the good news is that losing as little as five to 15 percent of your initial body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes and other illnesses and can even eliminate your need for some medications.

For more information or to register for the seminar, visit lakelandweightlosscenter.com/events  or call 269.687.4673.

Free Pre-Diabetes Class in Niles

(NILES) – Spectrum Health Lakeland is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels learn about lifestyle changes which may help them avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. The class will take place on Thursday, February 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Buchanan Health Resource Library at Lakeland Hospital Niles, located at 31 North St. Joseph Avenue.

During the first hour of the program, a registered nurse will guide attendees through the disease process of diabetes and introduce healthy lifestyle changes. The final hour will be spent with a registered dietitian who will suggest meal selections that can help you maintain health and manage weight.

This program does not require a physician referral. Pre-registration for this free class is required, and class size is limited. For more information or to register, call 269.556.2868.

Lakeland Offers Free Blood Pressure Screenings, Health Coaching

(ST. JOSEPH) – Community members are invited to visit an upcoming Neighborhood-Based Health Home. Free blood pressure screenings will be offered during the event. A clinical educator will be on-site for personal health coaching sessions. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to meet with a Lakeland resident physician and participate in discussion about key medical topics.

Friday, February 7
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Gateway Plaza, Niles

Thursday, February 13
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Catholic Community Center, Benton Harbor

Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call 269.556.2808.

Free Cooking Class Focuses on Heart Health

(BENTON HARBOR) – Community members are invited to join medical provider, David Chalupa, PA, and registered dietitian, Courtney Dixon, RD, for a free educational seminar titled, “Cooking for Your Heart.” The seminar will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 13 in the Conference Center at Lakeland at Meadowbrook, located at 2550 Meadowbrook Road in Benton Harbor.

During the seminar, Chalupa and Dixon will discuss the importance of a heart healthy diet and demonstrate how to prepare simple, healthy, and delicious recipes. Guests will learn about basic cooking equipment including knife skills and vegetable chopping, menu planning, snack ideas, and more.

“The food you eat makes a big impact on your heart health,” said Dixon. “Making healthier choices can help you manage weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure.”

Preregistration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. For more information, or to register, call 269.927.5361 or visit spectrumhealthlakeland.org/hearthealth.

Free Wellness Workshop in Benton Harbor

(BENTON HARBOR) – Community members are invited to attend an upcoming wellness workshop on Thursday, February 13 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Elite Barbershop, located at 1301 Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor.

The workshop will include a free heart health screening, education, and health coaching. Health screening will include a fasting cholesterol lipid panel, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) calculation. A 12-hour fast (no food, only water) is required. Participants must be 18 or older. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call 269.556.2808.

About Spectrum Health Lakeland

Spectrum Health Lakeland is a not-for-profit, community-owned health system serving Southwest Michigan and northern Indiana with a full continuum of care and wellness services including three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center, and 48 physician practices. Lakeland is a division of Spectrum Health with 31,000 compassionate professionals, 4,300 medical staff experts, 3,300 committed volunteers and a health plan serving one million members. Lakeland was named a 15 Top Health System® and 100 Top Hospital® by IBM Watson Health™ in 2019.