Success StoryLiving Your Best Life-Part 2



Living Your Best Life-Part 2

Author: Deborah Messenger

Planning Unit: Cumberland County CES

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Plan of Work: Nutrition, Food Systems and Health Promotions

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The Cumberland County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent offered a second part to the "Living Your Best Life" series. 25 individuals participated in a 7-part series that focused on each of the FCS Initiatives. A lesson from each initiative was presented to participants and they were challenged with an activity to support the lesson. The seven initiatives are: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Nurturing Families, Embracing Life as We Age, Securing Financial Stability, Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities, Accessing Nutritious Foods and Empowering Community Leaders. 

Individuals were encouraged to identify their motivation for change in areas of their lives, track eating and spending habits, set small financial goals, declutter a small area of their home, try a healthy recipe and prepare at home with family and begin a low key physical activity program. 60% completed and returned post-evaluations which showed the following:

100% plan to implement at least one strategy to maintain or improve financial health

100% intend to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity

Participants saved a total of $3,841 during the course of the program

73% shared that their attitude had improved during the program

46% improved in healthy eating

86% increased the amount of physical activity

80% reported improvements in sleep

73% reported improvements in stress management

93% shared that they were cooking more meals at home

86% reported and increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables

One participant stated that "this program helped me make lifestyle changes to benefit myself and also my family." Another participant stated that the program benefited her by helping her "prioritize the most important things, so that I can focus on what matters most."







Stories by Deborah Messenger


Cooking Matters

Cooking Matters

about 5 years ago by Deborah Messenger

The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with the Lake Cumberland District Health Department... Read More


Increasing Physical Activities

about 5 years ago by Deborah Messenger

According to the Center of Disease Control, 32.2% of adults in Cumberland County reported no leisure... Read More


Stories by Cumberland County CES


Leadership - Kentucky 4-H Summit

Leadership - Kentucky 4-H Summit

about 5 years ago by Elijah Wilson

According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, th... Read More


Farm to school is a Big D.E.A.L (Digging,Eating,Agriculture and Learning)

Farm to school is a Big D.E.A.L (Digging,Eating,Agriculture and Learning)

about 5 years ago by Dianne Hayward

April each year usually sees the start of the veggie growing season and the start of the community p... Read More