PRINEVILLE, OR -- The Crook County health Department wants to help the community shed a few pounds and improve overall health. A free, year-long program launches Monday aimed at teaching participants how to incorporate healthier eating and moderate physical activity into daily life, while reducing stress.

Health Educator Kylie Loving says it's no coincidence "Weigh-in Crook County 2019" starts around the time most people give up on their health-related New Year's resolutions, "Making healthy changes is something that doesn’t take three weeks. It’s something that really takes a long time. So we have this year-long program that we’re offering to help people to create new habits that will increase their health and keep them going." She tells KBND News this isn't a quick-fix, fad diet program, "We are talking about proven methods of losing weight. You know, eating healthier and trying to get more exercise, and making small changes that will make a big impact in your overall health."

The program follows curriculum from the national Diabetes Prevention Program, "What has been found is that people, if they lose 5-7% of their current weight and get 150 minutes of exercise per week," says Loving, "Then their chance of getting Type II Diabetes drops by more than half. "

Monday's welcome session starts at 1 p.m. at St. Charles Prineville. Pre-registration is required through the Crook County Health Department.