Welcome to eWellness
eWellness is a web-based program that promotes a few healthy lifestyle behaviors that are the foundation for wellness. It was developed with a team of county Extension agents and was designed for living in the “real world.” In other words, participants engage in diet and physical activity behaviors by learning how to make healthy habits that fit into their daily routine as well as their cultural preferences. The program was developed to be positive and provide support, accountability and rewards for accomplishing healthy living goals. The program consists of short-term (eight-week) phases so that awards and recognition could be provided frequently. But healthy living is a lifetime effort; so, soon after a phase ends and recognition of teams has occurred, a new phase soon starts and the cycle is repeated.
Support is provided to each individual though team camaraderie as well as web-based nutrition and physical activity information. The team chooses a team leader whose primary role is that of a “cheerleader” to encourage team members. It is also the responsibility of each team member to encourage and support each other. In this way, they hold each other accountable. The internet is used for entering diet and physical activity data.
The phase system is very much like the college experience; you enroll for a semester, complete the requirements, receive your award (grade) and then enroll again for another semester. Unlike college, you never graduate and no bad “grade” is brought forward but there is an opportunity for a celebration at the end of each phase. If one has life circumstances that prevented them meeting the objectives in a particular phase, there is an opportunity for a fresh start. No one ever “fails.” This concept was named “forgiveness.”The assumption is that healthy living requires frequent recommitment.
eWellness is designed for groups such as worksites, churches, schools, community groups, etc. and a group generally consists of several teams.
For information about participating in eWellness, click the "Help" link above.