Healthy LifeStars

Join us virtually on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025, for the Childhood Obesity Prevention Conference, a day of invaluable insights and discussions on effective strategies to combat childhood obesity.

Early bird registration ends January 10th, 2025. For more details and to register, visit https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/healthy-lifestars-conference/

Register early for our 2025 conference! January will be here before we know it, so mark your calendars for January 14th! We are excited to announce the full agenda and speakers soon! We have some great topics and presenters planned!🍓🥕🏃 https://iphprp.org/services/healthy-lifestars/conference/

Did you know that getting active doesn't just benefit your body, but your mind too? 🧠💪 . Here's how:

🌈 Decrease Stress and Anxiety: Physical activity is a natural stress buster. It releases endorphins, the body's feel-good hormones, which help reduce stress and anxiety levels.

😊 Improve Mood: Ever noticed how a good workout can lift your spirits? That's because exercise stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, the chemicals in our brains that make us feel happy.

😴 Promote Better Sleep: Struggling with sleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep, leaving you refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

🏆 Boost Self-Esteem: For kids, participating in sports and physical activities fosters a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. Achieving new goals and mastering skills can greatly enhance their self-esteem and overall well-being.

So, let's make time for movement in our daily lives. Whether it's a walk, a run, a yoga session, or a game of soccer, let's get active and reap the incredible benefits for both our bodies and minds. 💚

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! 🏀 ⛹️

Join us in celebrating this month dedicated to promoting active and healthy lives for everyone, especially our kids!

This month, challenge yourself to increase physical activity by just 30 minutes each day. The benefits include:

🌱 Promotes healthy weight
💪 Improves physical resiliency
❤️ Reduces or prevents chronic diseases; like heart disease
😴 Enhances quality sleep patterns

Let's make fitness fun and ignite a movement towards better health. 💫

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

Please join us in welcoming Aaron Nicholson as our new Executive Director and Kimberly Gibson as our new National Programs & Events Director!

Together, Aaron and Kimberly will lead us into an exciting new chapter of growth and impact, ensuring that more kids have the opportunity to live active healthy lives!💪

Exciting news from one of our partners No Boundaries Middles! 🌟 The Mindfulness in Motion team was nominated by Healthy LifeStars Iowa and honored as a finalist in the Youth Power category at Iowa's Healthiest State Awards Luncheon! 🏆

They created a fantastic video showcasing their experience working with The LifeStar Challenge™ program, which was featured during the luncheon. While they didn't take home the win, we're incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication!

We are very grateful for our partnership with No Boundaries! Thank you for all your hard work!😊🏅

April is National Volunteer Month, and we're celebrating the incredible impact of our dedicated coaches at Healthy LifeStars! 👏

Our coaches are the heart of The LifeStar Challenge Program™, motivating and educating kids to embrace active, healthy lives through physical activity, simple nutrition, and goal setting. 🌱💪

A huge shoutout to all our coaches who inspire kids to lead healthier lives every day! 🌟

🌟 Our StepAThon 2024 results are in, and we're thrilled to share the impact you've made! Together, we achieved incredible milestones: 21,960,331 steps and $22,311 raised, benefiting 446 kids in The LifeStar Challenge™ program. Thank you for helping kids thrive!

Today is the last day to log steps! ⏰

Check out our current leaders for both individuals and teams 🏅

All steps must be entered no later than today, April 8th, by 6:00 PM EST.

Winners of the StepAThon will be announced on Wednesday, April 10th. Stay tuned for the results!

We are still short of our fundraising goal and will continue to accept donations through the end of the week.

Thank you for your participation and dedication to the StepAThon!💪

Congratulations, everyone! We've reached the final day of the StepAThon!

Whether you've logged hundreds of steps or simply made small, positive changes towards a healthier life, every effort counts!

Before we wrap up, let's give it one final push to see if we can beat the competition!

We're still working towards our goal to support 1000 more kids, so there's still time to donate and make a difference.

Don't forget to log your steps by Monday 6pm PST to ensure they're counted towards your total. Also, We'll see you at the finish line! 🏁

StepAThon Day 6 is all about family fitness fun! 🏃

Get the whole family involved in activities like dancing, backyard games, or cooking a healthy meal together. When we prioritize our family's health, we're setting the foundation for a lifetime of wellness. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Let's make memories and get moving together! What your family's favorite fitness activity?

Get ready to explore new horizons on Day 5 of the StepAThon 🏃

Today is all about embracing adventure and trying something new. Whether it's hiking a new trail, trying a new sport, or simply stepping outside your comfort zone, let's make today an adventure! 🌄

Don't forget to use to tag us in your adventurous activties!

Day 4 of the StepAThon-- We are halfway there! 🏃

Today is all about community connection and supporting one another in achieving our stepping goals. 🤝

Whether it's joining a fitness class, organizing a group walk, or simply sharing words of encouragement, let's lift each other up and keep the momentum going! 🌟

Don't forget we are trying to raise $50,000 to support 1000 more kids through The LifeStar Challenge™ program that teaches kids the values of nutrition, physical activity and goal setting.

It's Day 3 of the StepAThon! 🏃

We're embracing the power of mindful movement. Take some time today to practice yoga, go for a peaceful nature walk, or simply pause to breathe deeply and center yourself. Your mind and body will thank you! 🧘

Don't forget to use our Steps Conversion Chart on the StepAThon site to convert your mindful movement practices to steps!

Welcome to Day 2 of our StepAThon! 🏃

Today, we're focusing on giving our bodies the nutrition they need to thrive. Share your favorite healthy snacks and meal ideas to inspire others to eat healthy.

Let's nourish ourselves from the inside out! 🥑 🥕🥝 🌽

The Healthy LifeStars StepAThon kicks off today!🏃

Today's theme is all about getting active and moving your body. Lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement for a brisk walk, go for a run, explore a hiking trail, hop on your bike, or even dance around your living room! Every step and movement counts towards a healthier you! 💪

If you haven't signed up yet, there's still time! You can register to participate or donate by clicking the link below.

Support Healthy LifeStars StepAThon™ 2024 By participating in the StepAThon, you will get active and raise funds to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program that teaches kids to adopt basic fitness, healthy eating, and goal setting practices, empowering them to lead healthy active lives!

🚨 Last Chance Alert! 🚨

Don't miss out on your final opportunity to join the Healthy LifeStars StepAthon starting Monday, April 1st!

Register at the link below to create a team, join a team or step on your own!

Lace up those shoes and support kids in the community to live healthy, active lives.

Set your daily goals and be part of this amazing journey towards a healthier future for our kids!

Let's step up and make a difference together! 💪

Support Healthy LifeStars StepAThon™ 2024 By participating in the StepAThon, you will get active and raise funds to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program that teaches kids to adopt basic fitness, healthy eating, and goal setting practices, empowering them to lead healthy active lives!

Are you raising a carb-loving kids? Pasta, fruit, crackers, bread... Sound familiar? While vegetables might not be their first choice, it's essential to broaden their palate early on to avoid picky eating habits! 🥦🙃

Let's aim for well-balanced meals that cater to our children's preferences while introducing new foods gradually. 🍽️💥 Offering choices within boundaries is key:

1️⃣ Serve the meal without questions.
2️⃣ Offer just TWO choices from the same food group:

"Pasta or bread?"
"Raspberries or banana?"
"Shrimp or chicken?"

This approach not only encourages exploration but also ensures a balanced diet.

🌟🥕 Let's embark on a sensory food adventure together! 🍇👩‍🍳

Join Rachel, a nutritionist, as she guides us through exploring food using our senses. From sight to taste, we unravel the secrets of a simple carrot stick and play a thrilling guessing game to uncover a surprise fruit!

Let's learn, discover, and savor the wonders of nutritious eating together! 🍓🥑

Lesson 1: Exploring Food Using our Senses How can we use our senses to learn about food?

🌟 Don't Miss Out! 🌟

The Healthy LifeStars StepAthon is just around the corner! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Register now at the link below and join us to get active and raise funds and to support kids through The LifeStar Challenge™ program.

Sign up today and let's step up for a healthier future together! 💪

Support Healthy LifeStars StepAThon™ 2024 By participating in the StepAThon, you will get active and raise funds to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program that teaches kids to adopt basic fitness, healthy eating, and goal setting practices, empowering them to lead healthy active lives!

🌈 Did you know that the vibrant colors of fruits and veggies aren't just for looks? 🍎🥦

They actually associate with different parts of the body, contributing to our overall health and well-being! 💪 Here's a breakdown:

😱 Did you know? According to the CDC, nearly half of children aged 1 to 5 haven't eaten a vegetable today! 😳 And that's not all. Every week, nearly one in three kids won't even eat a piece of fruit, and more than half will gulp down at least one sugar-sweetened beverage. 🥤🍔

Scary, right? But fear not! This is where The LifeStars Challenge™ swoops in to save the day! 🌟 By teaching kids healthy habits early on, we can help them lead healthy, active lives for genertation to come. 💪🍏🥕

📷 by No Boundaries Middles

🌟 Join Healthy LifeStars StepAThon, April 1st -7th! 🏃‍♂️🌟

Let's inspire our community to get active together and raise funds for the LifeStar Challenge program, motivating kids to live healthy active lives.

Click the link below to register today!

Let's make a difference, one step at a time! 💪

Support Healthy LifeStars StepAThon™ 2024 By participating in the StepAThon, you will get active and raise funds to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program that teaches kids to adopt basic fitness, healthy eating, and goal setting practices, empowering them to lead healthy active lives!

🌟 Check out this adorable 2nd grader from The Ohio State University Quality Improvement (QI) project. They're rocking their newly learned habit of including all 5 food groups at every meal like a champ! 🍎🥑🍞🧀🫘

The QI project aimed to boost healthy behaviors and beliefs among second graders to tackle childhood obesity. And guess what? It's working! 🚀 After completing The LifeStar Challenge™ program, these kids showed a 10 percent increase in healthy habits just four weeks later! 🙌

🍏🥕 This National Nutrition Month crush your daily quota of 5 servings of fruits and veggies with Capital City Fruit and Healthy LifeStars Snack Box! 🌟

With each purchase, you're not just stocking up on delicious, fresh produce – you're supporting The LifeStar Challenge™ program, where kids learn the ABCs of nutrition, staying active, and setting goals for a brighter, healthier tomorrow. 🚀🍎

Click the link below to purchase today!

PARTNERSHIPS - HEALTHY LIFESTARS - Capital City Fruit Get your 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day and positively impact the health of the next generation with the Healthy LifeStars Snack Box! Healthy LifeStars is a nationwide nonprofit organization that motivates and educates kids to live active, healthy lives now and in the future. With prog...

🌟 Join the Healthy LifeStars StepAThon™ for a fun challenge and a good cause!

From Monday April 1st- Sunday April 7,2024 compete to take the most steps, raise funds, and inspire kids to get active.

Your participation supports The LifeStar Challenge™ program,, which educates kids on the significance of fitness, nutritious eating, and goal-setting habits.

Registration is easy - just click the link below!

Support Healthy LifeStars StepAThon™ 2024 By participating in the StepAThon, you will get active and raise funds to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program that teaches kids to adopt basic fitness, healthy eating, and goal setting practices, empowering them to lead healthy active lives!

As parents, it's crucial to start educating our kids early on about the importance of a eating healthy foods. Here are some tips to help foster healthy foods habits for your little ones:

🍎 Keep healthy food at hand; your child will eat what is available.
🥕 Educate your child on the health benefits of food.
🫐 Praise your child when they choose a healthy option.
🥒 Set an eating schedule and stick to it.
🍊 Shop and cook together.
🍌 Limit snacking and juice/soda intake.

But remember, the most important tip is to set a good example! Kids learn by observing, so make sure to eat healthy snacks and meals with and around them.

A balanced diet includes protein, vegetables, fruit, grains, and dairy. Aim to limit added sugar, saturated, and trans fats to fuel your child's growth and development.

Let's celebrate National Nutrition Month by fostering healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime! 🌟 🌱👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Get Ready to Step Up! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

We're just one month away from the Healthy LifeStars StepAThon! It's your chance to join forces with co-workers, friends, and family in a fun, interactive challenge while making a difference for a great cause.

All funds raised will support The LifeStar Challenge™ program, empowering kids to embrace fitness, nutrition, and goal-setting habits for lifelong health.

Let's lace up our sneakers, get moving, and register to participate today! Together, we can make a positive impact on young lives. 💪

Support Healthy LifeStars StepAThon™ 2024 By participating in the StepAThon, you will get active and raise funds to support The LifeStar Challenge™ program that teaches kids to adopt basic fitness, healthy eating, and goal setting practices, empowering them to lead healthy active lives!

🌟 Nurturing Self-Love & Mental Health in Kids 🌟

Discover actionable ways to support your kid's emotional well-being and nurture their self-love journey. 💖

🌟 Embracing Self-Love at Beatty Community Center!

The Beatty Center in Columbus, OH radiated with the warmth of self-appreciation. Thanks to the 5210! Healthy LifeStars student organization from The Ohio State University, elementary school kids experienced a magical journey of self-discovery.

🎨 Guided by the power of self-love, these young hearts poured their creativity into writing and drawing love letters to themselves.

💖 Through these heartfelt moments, we celebrate the beauty of self-love and the transformative impact it has on our lives. Let's continue to nurture this essential quality within ourselves and our communities.