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Walking and jogging are everyday methods of exercise reinforced in the WiseWoman program. Photo by Kim Lamb
Women of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe are taking charge of their health and learning to be a WiseWoman through a newly-implemented wellness program.
WiseWoman, which stands for Well-integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation, is administered through the Centers for Disease Control's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity as a cardiovascular health screening tool for women. The Fallon program is conducted in coordination with the Fallon Tribal Health Clinic diabetes program.
Since the program's start at the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe in January, eight women have made steps to improve the health of them themselves and their families, said Jenevie Lucero, a tribal senior health advocate.
"What we're trying to do is emphasize the nutritional needs, exercise and being healthy," Lucero said. "It's all built on your lifestyle and intervention. This is one of the best programs I've seen."
WiseWoman, which stands for Well-integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation, is administered through the Centers for Disease Control's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity as a cardiovascular health screening tool for women. The Fallon program is conducted in coordination with the Fallon Tribal Health Clinic diabetes program.
Since the program's start at the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe in January, eight women have made steps to improve the health of them themselves and their families, said Jenevie Lucero, a tribal senior health advocate.
"What we're trying to do is emphasize the nutritional needs, exercise and being healthy," Lucero said. "It's all built on your lifestyle and intervention. This is one of the best programs I've seen."
Women first undergo a screening and evaluation session designed to identify possibly lifestyle changes. A wellness plan is created and members are matched up with others with similar needs.
There are no fees and no formal measure of success. Participants monitor their own progress and are encouraged to journal.
Many women use walking and exercise bands to improve their health, she said. Some are walking three miles per day as part of their daily routine.
Lucero said she's looking to incorporate water aerobics into the program through the use of the Churchill County indoor pool. The program is open to any woman in Churchill County.
There are no fees and no formal measure of success. Participants monitor their own progress and are encouraged to journal.
Many women use walking and exercise bands to improve their health, she said. Some are walking three miles per day as part of their daily routine.
Lucero said she's looking to incorporate water aerobics into the program through the use of the Churchill County indoor pool. The program is open to any woman in Churchill County.
The program has a trickle down effect, where women incorporate wellness into the lives of their families, she said. Nutrition and exercise are especially important to indigenous people, who have increased risk of diabetes.
"Diabetes is very high among our people," Lucero said. "It's very important to understand the disease and the eating habits they have."
The program has helped Linda Oxborrow, Lucero's sister, feel more energetic and improve her physical stamina. Though it took a while for her body to adjust, she's incorporated walking into her daily routine, especially while picking asparagus.
"I have more energy," Oxborrow said. "After the initial aches and pains, you tend to have more muscular flexibility.
"Diabetes is very high among our people," Lucero said. "It's very important to understand the disease and the eating habits they have."
The program has helped Linda Oxborrow, Lucero's sister, feel more energetic and improve her physical stamina. Though it took a while for her body to adjust, she's incorporated walking into her daily routine, especially while picking asparagus.
"I have more energy," Oxborrow said. "After the initial aches and pains, you tend to have more muscular flexibility.
Women need to change their diets and exercise levels to compensate for today's on-the-go lifestyle, she said.
"We're a rural community. Many of us have grown up eating foods made from scratch," Oxborrow said. "We never had a lot of packaged and processed foods. Now that we've gotten supermarkets and superstores, our diets have changed."
For more information on the WiseWoman program, contact Lucero at the tribal senior center at 423-7569.
Josh Johnson can be contacted at jjohnson@lahotanvalleynews.com
"We're a rural community. Many of us have grown up eating foods made from scratch," Oxborrow said. "We never had a lot of packaged and processed foods. Now that we've gotten supermarkets and superstores, our diets have changed."
For more information on the WiseWoman program, contact Lucero at the tribal senior center at 423-7569.
Josh Johnson can be contacted at jjohnson@lahotanvalleynews.com
