Getting Hernando Healthy

BROOKSVILLE - A local group of trainers was growing leery of two trends.

The first was obvious. There was an increase of obese and overweight people in Hernando County who were dissatisfied with their appearance, diet and overall health.

The second trend that bothered the close-knit group was their lack of involvement in the local community.

They are taking care of both problems beginning today when they host their first health seminar at the Brooksville Gold's Gym.

"We were trying to do something to get more involved," said Shayne Cahill, who oversees the newly coined "Get Hernando Healthy" program. "We thought of a common goal."

The trainers themselves will teach the first 90-minute seminar - "The Overweight Epidemic" - which is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m.

It just so happens the first seminar will take place the day before Super Bowl XLII, when so many people fall off the New Year's resolution bandwagon.

"It was planned that way," said Cahill. "This is to help give people a wake-up call. Statistically speaking, right after the Super Bowl, attention falls off."

Dozens have already signed up and organizers are hoping word of mouth will bring hundreds more during the course of the year. The more who attend, the better the chances of Cahill and other trainers of reaching their collective goal.

They want participants to lose a total of 5,000 pounds of body fat by the end of the year. Should the program work, organizers hope to expand it.

"We're going to start doing this on a smaller scale, but maybe it will grow and we can start getting more gyms involved," Cahill said.

Each month, guests will be invited to attend the free seminars. They will cover basic health and fitness topics, as well as how a proper exercise and nutrition plan can benefit everything from oral hygiene to a person's mental health.

Personal trainers will give guests an online nutritional plan and workout regimen. They also will offer discounts on training appointments and supplements.

Guests may invite their friends, spouses and other family members to the seminars. Those who are unable to attend may still schedule an appointment with a personal trainer to begin the program.

Cahill emphasized the program is a group effort and those who participate will have the right kind of "support structure" to remain motivated.

The class will take place inside the gym's aerobics room. The Brooksville location is at 20126 Cortez Blvd.

For more information about the program or to register for future seminars, visit www.gethernandohealthy.com.