WILBRAHAM – Back by popular demand, the Wilbraham Senior Center is holding the H.E.A.R.T. Program, which stands for Health, Empowerment, and Real Transformation, for a second time.  The H.E.A.R.T. program is a free educational program that promotes holistic health.

The H.E.A.R.T. program is eight, two-hour sessions with an additional six-week health challenge and reunion at the end of the program.  On the first day of class, a nurse practitioner calculates everyone’s body mass index, takes their blood pressure, and weighs them.  At the end of the program following the six-week health challenge, the nurse again takes the numbers to track results.

 Creator of the H.E.A.R.T. program and owner of Harmony Way, Michelle Caron, noted the results of the program were immense.  

“The results from the first run of the program were incredible, with several people reducing their blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight significantly,” Caron said.

Caron reported that the average decrease in systolic or diastolic blood pressure of the group was eight points, with the highest point drop being 20 blood pressure points.   Some participants opted to have their cholesterol checked outside of the program and said that they dropped from 20 to 40 points.   Additionally, the average weight loss for those who were trying to lose weight was five pounds.  

The first hour of each session is dedicated to lecture and discussion, and the second is dedicated to activities and demonstrations.  

“We had a nurse practitioner, a massage therapist, and a laughter therapist as our special expert guests during the program’s first eight-week run,” Caron said.

Due to the limited space in the Wilbraham Senior Center a limited number of people can be enrolled in the program.  When H.E.A.R.T. had its first run in March 60 individuals signed up.  They were then put into a lottery and 22 names were drawn of people who could be involved in the program.   Noting the demand of H.E.A.R.T, the senior center is offering the program in September.  Furthermore, Caron is welcoming online participants so that people from all over and all ages can benefit from the experience.

"I felt that it would be beneficial for our community to be able to learn more about a variety of health topics at no cost to them.  The H.E.A.R.T. program allows me to be able to offer something to people of all ages that can help them to better help themselves and to make informed decisions about their own bodies and health,” Caron said.

The H.E.A.R.T. program teaches its students about how to read nutrition labels, how to manage stress and grief, beginner exercises, gives information about plant-based diets, alternative healing material including herbal medicine, meditation and more.

“The dynamic of the group is also always a wonderful way to gain extra support and to be cheered on by peers, so that when we decide to make healthy changes in our lives, whether small or more dramatic, we can do that even more consistently with positive peer pressure and kind words from our friends as we develop new and healthy habits,” Caron said.

Considering she works with people of all ages, Caron finds herself giving general advice to everyone such as moving more, drinking more water, eating seven to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, managing stress and making time for yourself for at least 10 minutes a day.

“By making small changes one at a time, we can take our health back and feel amazing at any age,” Caron said.

Though Wilbraham residents are given priority, enrollment is open to anyone 60 or older who is interested in the program.  To be added to the list, call the Wilbraham Senior Center at 596-8657.