Annually, Family and Consumer Sciences Agents see an increased interest from clients in health-behavior?choices around the new year.??This year,?to?reach both current and new clientele with?timely?and?research-based?information, Trimble vs. Henry presented a county challenge in time for the new year - Big Blue Goals.??The program was designed to allow for participation through either?an online platform?(Goalify app)?that could be?operated?on?a smartphone, computer, or tablet,?or through?a?traditional?paper format. Participants received daily or weekly?educational?information about a variety?of topics, organized under two challenges which?included:? increasing physical activity and consuming?fruits?and vegetables. ?Participants?selected one or both of the challenges in which they participated?and?recorded?efforts made in?each?area?during?the 8-week?program.? 

A total of 34?individuals participated in (Trimble County had 19) Big Blue Goals?through both formats, and as a group made an impressive amount of wise and healthy choices!?Through the?Goalify?app, program administrators were able to track participation levels in the selected challenges.?At the end of the challenge, all participants were given the opportunity to complete an evaluation survey.? 

Seventy-nine percent of Trimble County survey respondents adopted a new physical activity practice?as a result of?participating?in this challenge.?Additionally, 82%?of respondents who recorded health measures,?indicated?an improvement in at least one health indicator (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, or blood?glucose.)? One participant reported losing 17 pounds at the conclusion of the challenge and stated “I needed this challenge to get me started”.

All of Trimble County individuals?participated?in the Fruits and Vegetables?Challenge.  Participants reported being more mindful about eating fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. ?Evidence shows that eating 4-6 servings of fruit and vegetables each day improves health outcomes.? One participant stated, “the goal grid was very helpful in reminding me to reach for an apple before a snack bar, and a salad before a plain sandwich”. 

However, it is often the words of our participants that speak to the success of our programs.??One participant said, “Thank you for this challenge! I’ve not given much thought about veggies and fruits, nor exercise as to be able to count as exercise. Also, I seriously didn’t know how very few veggies and/or fruits I was consuming until this challenge”.