With the start of every new year comes New Years resolutions. For many people, there is no better way to kick off the year than making a healthy choice.

Recently, a successful health fair was held at Cobb Family Life Center of the Green Creek Missionary Baptist Church. This community health fair was sponsored by Unity in the Community Organization and funded by the Polk County Community Foundation.

Those participating were: Dentistry 2000 of Columbus, PRO Therapy of Columbus, Chiropractic Plus of Forest City, N.C., Green Creek Fire Department, Polk County Sheriffs Office and Lifestyle Wellness Center of Forest City, N.C. Rutherford Hospital provided stroke education, glucose screening and a blood pressure check.

The health fair revealed a high rate of diabetes, obesity and serious heart conditions. These conditions are affecting both the young and old. Health fair organizers want to make the healthy choice the easy choice by motivating people to eat a well-balanced meal, to exercise, to eat smaller portions and get off the couch. It is not always necessary to join a gym you can work out in the garden, rake leaves, mow the lawn, vacuum, sweep the porch or simply walk around your neighborhood.

In order to get energized in 2011, participants in the community health fair included motivational speaker Matthew Short and aerobics instructor Felicia Hipp. These two experts encouraged the attendees to eat smart and move more. In addition, the head trainer/instructor of Lifestlyes Wellness of Forest City, Mandy Huffman (an avid runner), led a group on a walk/run on the scenic Philips Dairy Road, which is located adjacent to the Family Life Center.

To bring home the importance of healthy choices, the participants were treated to testimonials of Pam Whitesides, Cheltsea Staley and Carroll Mohn and family.

Health fair organizers hope that the community can lower its high numbers related to cholesterol, strokes, diabetes and heart conditions.